Dale Finucane Press Conference, with bonus Dave Riccio and Sam Shinazzi chat

[00:00:00] SharkCast, SharkCast

[00:00:02] SharkCast, SharkCast

[00:00:04] SharkCast

[00:00:08] Fafina tries to crack his way over in Dallas

[00:00:12] Fafina dropped the ball over the line

[00:00:15] And all you people back in the Shire

[00:00:18] Tell you watch live time because we're coming over to trophy

[00:00:31] Hey there, welcome to a different sort of short sharp episode

[00:00:35] of SharkCast pod brought to you by Dyson Logistics

[00:00:39] the Royal Moteo Club in Port Hacking and Jason Hors

[00:00:42] from Crypts & Crypts Real Estate. Lucky enough to be at

[00:00:45] the press conference in unfortunate circumstances

[00:00:49] for the retirement of Dale Fennuk and the medical

[00:00:52] retirement due to the concussions he's received

[00:00:55] over his career and most notably of late

[00:00:59] and Craig Fitzgibbon as well as Dale Fennukin

[00:01:03] obviously fronted that press conference

[00:01:06] and it was a full house. I believe every one of the Sharks

[00:01:10] squad was here on their day off, if it wasn't

[00:01:13] every one of them it was close to it

[00:01:16] and lots of media as well as Dale's family

[00:01:19] and some friends there as well in what was an emotional

[00:01:22] and very honest announcement particularly from Dale

[00:01:26] he offered a lot of information about why and how

[00:01:29] and the coach also obviously had some words about

[00:01:32] what he's meant to the club and what he could mean

[00:01:35] in the future. We're going to play the full audio for you

[00:01:38] after this little intro but just thought I'd jump on

[00:01:41] and just acknowledge how great he's been

[00:01:45] for not only the club but for the game

[00:01:48] Premiership winner, everything you hear about his preparation

[00:01:51] and his processes completely accurate

[00:01:54] we've seen this first hand since he's been at the club

[00:01:56] the influence he's had on other players around him

[00:01:58] and the club in general has been significant

[00:02:01] and I think we'll carry that through with us

[00:02:03] for some time to come. We will have

[00:02:06] a longer episode coming to you in the next 24 hours

[00:02:09] about all things Sharks, there is a lot to cover

[00:02:12] there is even some things which have not broken

[00:02:15] which will break by the time you hear this

[00:02:17] on Dale Fennukin, just a great player

[00:02:20] my dealings with him have been minimal but

[00:02:23] amazing, such a nice guy

[00:02:26] always willing to have a chat about footy or anything else

[00:02:29] particularly music, always greets the media

[00:02:32] and those around the club with just impeccable

[00:02:36] manners and personality

[00:02:39] he's a cheeky fella, I'm really glad

[00:02:42] he came to the club, I was excited when he came

[00:02:45] it's bittersweet today because we wish him all the best for his health

[00:02:48] you don't want any more concussions

[00:02:51] than what he's had, it does mean other things

[00:02:54] for the club moving forward, I know a lot of the fans are talking about it

[00:02:57] including what it means for the salary cap

[00:03:00] you would think from here on in we do

[00:03:02] resign Jack Williams, but this is all about

[00:03:05] Dale Fennukin and there's no other reason

[00:03:08] behind him retiring except for the fact that he medically

[00:03:11] cannot go on. Absolute warrior of our game

[00:03:14] you may not see it in the stats but

[00:03:17] he plays with his heart, everything he does

[00:03:20] on and off the ball at a million miles an hour

[00:03:23] obviously, we would love to play this audio for you

[00:03:26] I'm sure some of you have seen the video from the club

[00:03:29] so we encourage you to do that first, we're not trying to get the exclusive here or anything

[00:03:32] because it's not exclusive, I just happened to put down

[00:03:35] the recorder on the table where they were talking from

[00:03:38] Yo Dave, get in, speak

[00:03:41] Come on

[00:03:43] We've been joined mid-intro

[00:03:46] by Media Great who just texts me I've seen

[00:03:49] and Ricky I was just telling our listeners about the

[00:03:52] I'm surprised you haven't I

[00:03:55] I was just telling the listeners about the press conference

[00:03:58] the emotions, but tell me your thoughts on

[00:04:01] Dale Fennukin and what's going through your head

[00:04:04] Yeah Sam, look it obviously comes as a surprise

[00:04:07] I think to Sharks fans

[00:04:10] absolutely war horse and warrior

[00:04:13] Dale Fennukin is but I didn't think it would get to this to be honest

[00:04:16] I always thought he'd see the contract through

[00:04:19] through until the end of 2025

[00:04:22] but ultimately what I

[00:04:25] respect greatly from Dale is that the amount of

[00:04:28] effort he's gone into as far as doing the research

[00:04:31] with the medical assistance of both the Sharks

[00:04:34] and the external getting advice

[00:04:37] on where his body and his head knocks are at

[00:04:40] and ultimately the decision was taken out of his hands

[00:04:43] I mean he admitted in the press conference Sam that

[00:04:46] if he had his way he'd still be playing

[00:04:49] and that's the same blight that Craig Fitzgibbon always explained

[00:04:52] remember the interview for his 250th game

[00:04:55] that great quote from Fitsie about that the guy doesn't have any breaks

[00:04:58] you know like you can't stop him

[00:05:01] I think he might have said the words no stone was left

[00:05:04] unturned as far as research

[00:05:07] trying to get back on the field and that sort of sums up who

[00:05:10] he is as a player and it was definitely

[00:05:13] one of the

[00:05:16] not it wasn't sad but it was one of the sad

[00:05:18] press conferences I've seen

[00:05:20] where as he said he's not even

[00:05:23] in the mind frame of this being over

[00:05:26] he's making the announcement he hasn't really come to terms with it

[00:05:29] so it was sad in that sense he's given everything of the game

[00:05:32] he's done it all

[00:05:34] we heard Coach Fitzgibbon talk about what he means to the club

[00:05:37] what's your interpretation of that?

[00:05:39] it speaks to the man really

[00:05:42] and everything that

[00:05:45] what Dale Finooken brings to the dressing room

[00:05:48] I've spoken to you about this before

[00:05:50] and I've written about it before

[00:05:53] it's about his dressing room presence

[00:05:55] and the standards of which he's set

[00:05:58] both on the training field

[00:06:01] and inside the four walls

[00:06:04] I think that the Sharks are currently sitting on top of the Premiership

[00:06:07] with a largely underrated pack

[00:06:10] a young pack

[00:06:12] Tom Hazelton leading them up front

[00:06:14] with Oregon Cofusi

[00:06:16] T. Wilton

[00:06:18] Britain N'Korah

[00:06:20] Tux has had his opportunity to come through

[00:06:23] and these guys are watching a man

[00:06:26] with the most incredible standards

[00:06:28] trained every single day

[00:06:30] and I would like to think that those players that I've just mentioned

[00:06:32] are being dragged up to a level

[00:06:35] because of what Dale Finooken brings to this club

[00:06:38] and I think that's probably the greatest mark of a player

[00:06:42] is the influence you have on your teammates

[00:06:47] yeah well said Dave

[00:06:49] we heard a few things said about his future at the club

[00:06:53] you can only imagine he'll be offered some sort of performance

[00:06:57] I hesitate to use the word but coaching role

[00:07:00] do you have anything on that?

[00:07:02] it's still pretty premature I must admit

[00:07:04] I was just having conversations with the powers that be right now

[00:07:08] and it's all very premature

[00:07:10] Sam, like even to the point where as you said in the press conference

[00:07:13] it hasn't even sunk in for Dale

[00:07:15] that it's all over

[00:07:17] and when you cut it right back

[00:07:19] it's round seven

[00:07:21] he's got a year and

[00:07:23] he's got another year on his deal

[00:07:25] there's no way in the world he started this pre-season

[00:07:27] thinking I'm going to retire in seven weeks time

[00:07:30] like it's quite stunning and it's still sinking in

[00:07:33] so from the club's point of view

[00:07:35] they're still working it out

[00:07:37] I was trying to get to the bottom of what it means for the salary cap

[00:07:39] they're still working all that out

[00:07:41] I believe and I think this will unfold

[00:07:43] he'll retire on medical grounds

[00:07:45] it will give the sharks absolutely

[00:07:48] Dale's salary next year

[00:07:51] now there's a little bit of

[00:07:54] wait you're saying he'll get the money

[00:07:56] sorry, yeah

[00:07:58] so the sharks

[00:08:00] will free Dale Finookin's salary

[00:08:03] from the salary cap next year and have it to spend

[00:08:06] now there's a little bit of misinformation

[00:08:09] about how much Dale Finookin's on next year

[00:08:11] my understanding is it sits around that $300,000 mark

[00:08:14] so that's a big drop

[00:08:16] from what he first signed with

[00:08:19] they always had it coming back down in that final year

[00:08:22] so I believe that's going to be the number next year

[00:08:25] that they'll have to spend

[00:08:27] and you would like to think that probably goes to a Jack Williams

[00:08:30] then the next question for the sharks

[00:08:33] is do they get any money this year from

[00:08:36] off their cap? Do they get whatever

[00:08:39] is left over to be paid Dale

[00:08:41] what 17 rounds or whatever

[00:08:42] exactly, do they get that money as well

[00:08:44] and that's the investigation part they're working with on the NRL

[00:08:47] and then that would certainly take

[00:08:50] the number up higher for them to spend

[00:08:54] going forward and to the point where they've got a number of

[00:08:58] players off contract at the end of 25 Sam

[00:09:01] Carliro, Renaldo Milatalo's coming off contracts

[00:09:04] they've got some work to do for the end of 25

[00:09:07] so this money now that's available from Dale's

[00:09:10] contracts it'll get used up pretty quickly

[00:09:13] and fans out there thinking the sharks are going to go buy another player now

[00:09:17] that won't be the case they'll be using it internally to

[00:09:21] extend their current roster

[00:09:23] there's only one guy we need and you've already mentioned him

[00:09:25] and it's Jack Williams that's the guy we need to re-sign

[00:09:27] slash buy

[00:09:29] look I can't argue with that he's been

[00:09:31] he's been enormous I think he's an absolute rock

[00:09:34] for this sharks pack

[00:09:36] where do you value him on the market Dave

[00:09:39] like we're not going to hold you to this but where do you think he sits

[00:09:41] I think he sits at the 354

[00:09:43] 400 mark

[00:09:45] it's nothing crazy

[00:09:47] I believe he's been on a deal in excess of that

[00:09:50] and so that's going to be the challenge

[00:09:53] for the sharks and Jack on whether he's willing to take

[00:09:56] a pay cut

[00:09:59] to re-sign

[00:10:01] all my understanding is he just loves the joint

[00:10:04] does not want to leave

[00:10:06] can see the trajectory of the club and the football team under Fitzgibbon

[00:10:09] and wants to say it's going to be the number that gets them there

[00:10:12] but this finookin news certainly will help

[00:10:15] because other clubs chasing would offer way more than that

[00:10:18] right 354-400

[00:10:20] yeah they would yep yep so he's going to be staying for less

[00:10:22] on what he could get on the open market

[00:10:24] interesting

[00:10:26] alright Dave quick thought on how the sharks are going so far this year

[00:10:30] yeah going well

[00:10:32] beating everything that's in front of them ultimately

[00:10:34] and almost everything

[00:10:36] well I was about to say the only time they've come undone is when they've beaten themselves

[00:10:39] and that's going to be the challenge

[00:10:44] it's a long haul this season

[00:10:47] you can't just maintain that mental steel for 27 rounds

[00:10:52] there's going to be little dips

[00:10:54] it's a matter of when there is a dip

[00:10:57] by a particular player

[00:10:59] can the rest of the team drag them over line

[00:11:01] they're going well as I said

[00:11:03] what can you say Sam they're sitting on top of the conch

[00:11:05] so this week's going to be challenging for a number of reasons which will be obvious

[00:11:09] by the time people hear this

[00:11:11] and we're not going to discuss what that means

[00:11:13] what are your thoughts going into Canberra

[00:11:15] it's a game the sharks should be winning

[00:11:18] the raiders have a massive amount of key injuries

[00:11:22] notably Jordan Rappanat

[00:11:24] he's gone from fullback, Fogarty gone from halfback

[00:11:27] Corey Hawes but still not available

[00:11:29] they're going to have a rookie spine

[00:11:33] despite the challenges that may be coming the sharks way

[00:11:36] I still think they've got enough depth

[00:11:39] in key positions and the forward pack

[00:11:42] ultimately the forward pack to get the job done

[00:11:44] alright Dave thanks for your time my man

[00:11:46] sorry to bond you up on the way to the car

[00:11:49] this is how you roll Sam

[00:11:51] now I don't want to give away what kind of car you drive

[00:11:55] because you are a media personality

[00:11:57] and there's wackos out there etc etc

[00:11:59] as well as people that love you so much

[00:12:01] they probably want to go like that

[00:12:03] anyway you drive a cool car

[00:12:05] so do you my friend will you?

[00:12:08] no this is nothing

[00:12:10] this is just workman like etc

[00:12:12] all I'm going to reference is

[00:12:15] back to the future and I'm not talking DeLorean

[00:12:18] yeah yeah yeah well don't drive a DeLorean

[00:12:21] no imagine if you did

[00:12:22] that would be nice

[00:12:23] thanks to any time Sam talk soon

[00:12:26] alright Dave that's the wind up from Dave

[00:12:28] we're going to play the audio now

[00:12:30] Dave for Newkins retirement we'll talk to you all soon

[00:12:32] up up Cronella

[00:12:36] thanks to them here for coming today

[00:12:38] obviously you got a pretty good idea on what it's all about

[00:12:40] we're here to say Dave obviously

[00:12:43] but it's a day to celebrate Dave as well

[00:12:45] Dave is going to obviously have a few words

[00:12:48] quite a few words to say and explain where he's all at

[00:12:50] with his decision

[00:12:52] Fitzie's here to answer some questions afterwards as well

[00:12:54] and Dale will obviously answer some questions at the finish

[00:12:57] once he's had something to say

[00:12:59] thanks again for our way Dave

[00:13:01] thanks everyone for coming today

[00:13:03] you probably all got a fair idea why you're here

[00:13:07] I'm announcing my medical retirement today

[00:13:11] I guess over the last couple of weeks

[00:13:14] we've gone through the process of seeing a number of neurologists

[00:13:17] and neuropsychologists around the issues about with concussion

[00:13:23] and at the end of the day I think

[00:13:25] the decision had to be

[00:13:27] well there was no decision to be made

[00:13:29] the medical advice was that

[00:13:31] I retire and I don't continue to play

[00:13:33] and obviously that was from the two medical

[00:13:36] two independent medical experts

[00:13:41] I spoke with the RLPA

[00:13:43] and the RLPA lawyer

[00:13:45] I spoke with

[00:13:47] Clinton Newton the CEO of the RLPA

[00:13:49] to sort of talk around potential avenues

[00:13:52] to return to play

[00:13:54] and potentially against medical advice

[00:13:57] but at the end of the day I just

[00:13:59] wasn't able to come to fruition

[00:14:01] I'm obviously extremely disappointed about it

[00:14:04] but I'm also excited about the next part of life as well

[00:14:12] it's funny I'm sort of a bit numb to the feeling

[00:14:15] at the moment it probably hasn't quite hit me

[00:14:17] because I guess we've been going through such a stringent process

[00:14:20] since the Tigers gang from when I last played

[00:14:23] to seeing all the medical experts

[00:14:25] speaking to Fizzi, speaking to Nathan Bigworth

[00:14:29] and our head of performance

[00:14:32] Dr. Biggrim and Darren Mooney

[00:14:35] our football manager so

[00:14:37] it's been quite a stringent process

[00:14:39] going through all that

[00:14:42] trying to as I said tick boxes to potentially play

[00:14:45] but at the end of the day it just wasn't possible

[00:14:53] on Fizzi as well I just obviously like to thank Fizzi

[00:14:56] for the process

[00:14:58] he obviously came over to my house

[00:15:00] to speak with my wife

[00:15:02] and alleviate her of any

[00:15:05] I guess fears that she had around what was happening with me

[00:15:08] just to give her a peace of mind that

[00:15:10] you know I wasn't going to be playing until

[00:15:12] my health was put first

[00:15:15] and I can't say that

[00:15:17] that would be the same for every coach potentially

[00:15:19] that to put the man ahead of the player

[00:15:22] and you know I'm super grateful for that

[00:15:26] Nathan Bigworth as well

[00:15:28] head of performance he's been there along the whole process

[00:15:31] and you know put my health first before anything else

[00:15:34] so I'm super appreciative of the club

[00:15:36] and the process that they've volunteered with that

[00:15:41] I want to thank obviously all the coaches

[00:15:43] along the way that I've had

[00:15:45] whether it be in the junior levels or through the NRL

[00:15:47] and obviously having my debut at the Bulldogs

[00:15:49] through Dez Hazar

[00:15:51] the great relationship obviously with Craig Bellamy

[00:15:53] down at the Melbourne Storm

[00:15:55] and a huge mentor for me

[00:15:57] both in rugby league and in life

[00:16:00] and obviously Fizzi

[00:16:03] you know I was super excited about coming to the club

[00:16:05] you know whilst I was at Melbourne at the back end of 2021

[00:16:09] I recall talking with Nico

[00:16:11] being really excited about potentially signing this club

[00:16:13] because of you know

[00:16:15] obviously having been involved with Fizzi before in the past

[00:16:18] and the type of coach and the person that I knew he was

[00:16:21] and absolutely delivered on everything

[00:16:24] that you know what my expectations were

[00:16:29] you know to the boys that's going to be the part

[00:16:31] that I miss most about coming in every day

[00:16:33] and you know training with you is in a

[00:16:37] in a capacity of a teammate

[00:16:43] yeah that's

[00:16:44] you know that's why we play this game

[00:16:46] and what we love so much about it is the fact that we get to come in

[00:16:48] and you know hang out with our best mates every day

[00:16:50] and work hard and you know aspire to something

[00:16:52] and achieve something

[00:16:55] you know to a common goal

[00:17:00] yeah obviously to my family

[00:17:02] to my you know to my parents

[00:17:04] and my siblings have been

[00:17:06] along the whole process along the way

[00:17:08] they've been so supportive of me

[00:17:11] you know obviously Andrew my player manager

[00:17:13] I moved up here as a 17 year old

[00:17:16] moved in with you and your family at six months

[00:17:18] sorry for six month period

[00:17:20] and your family took me in

[00:17:22] and you know I still feel that today

[00:17:24] still very much a part of your family so

[00:17:27] and obviously

[00:17:29] my wife Maddie

[00:17:30] who's just taken our Scrammy child outside

[00:17:35] yeah she's been an absolute rock

[00:17:37] through this whole process and

[00:17:40] you know she's fended the forefront

[00:17:42] of wanting to put my health first before anything else

[00:17:44] and I guess over the last few

[00:17:46] concussions that I've suffered

[00:17:48] she's probably

[00:17:50] showed

[00:17:52] a lot more

[00:17:56] she's obviously just showed a lot more worry around

[00:17:58] I guess the frequency in which I was getting them

[00:18:00] and potentially maybe how easily I was getting them

[00:18:05] so whilst I'm you know disappointed about finish

[00:18:07] I'm grateful that

[00:18:10] she was adamant about getting all of this stuff done

[00:18:12] and going through the process of seeing your all just

[00:18:14] along with

[00:18:16] the advice from the club

[00:18:19] you know I've been difficult to live with

[00:18:22] for the last 13 years playing professionally

[00:18:24] you know with

[00:18:26] all of the routines

[00:18:28] and structure I've had in my life and she's sort of

[00:18:30] you know had to put up with me

[00:18:34] and the sacrifice she's obviously made over the period of time

[00:18:37] you know moving to the Bulldog to Sydney

[00:18:39] from home and being here

[00:18:41] moving down to Melbourne for seven years

[00:18:43] and then back to Sydney it's

[00:18:45] it's a thankless job

[00:18:49] but I'm so appreciative that

[00:18:51] she's been able to do this and all the while raising our two young boys

[00:18:55] and putting her needs aside from mine

[00:18:57] so I'll be forever indebted

[00:18:59] and grateful for her and what she's done for my career

[00:19:03] and obviously as I said I'm obviously disappointed about the premature end

[00:19:07] to how it's finished

[00:19:09] and I'm grateful and excited for the next chapter of my life

[00:19:14] with my wife and my two boys

[00:19:16] and I will be forever grateful for the game

[00:19:18] and everything that's given me so

[00:19:20] thank you very much, thank you everybody for coming in

[00:19:23] and thank you

[00:19:25] applause

[00:19:37] Dale and or Praig will answer a few questions if you guys have got any

[00:19:46] I only let the team know prior to you guys actually coming in

[00:19:49] it was a difficult week

[00:19:51] given that I only definitively decided

[00:19:55] on Thursday afternoon

[00:19:58] and obviously given that we played on Sunday

[00:20:00] it was hard to let the boys know at the back end of the week

[00:20:03] we had a number of milestones

[00:20:05] Braden's 100th game and Semmy Stone's streets

[00:20:08] so I didn't think that the time was right

[00:20:11] to make an announcement around that

[00:20:13] given the excitement of the week

[00:20:15] and I'm obviously disappointed that the boys

[00:20:17] found out the way they did through the media

[00:20:19] but I'm really glad that I did get to let them know

[00:20:22] personally what they meant to me

[00:20:24] and I know what they still do mean to me

[00:20:26] now we've been in conversations

[00:20:28] you've got to have been having time

[00:20:30] when did you kind of open up the instantiities

[00:20:32] to the Crosswind 9?

[00:20:34] No, not at all

[00:20:36] it didn't cross my mind a bit

[00:20:38] it was almost

[00:20:42] obviously had a number of my careers

[00:20:44] kind of desensitized to the fact that

[00:20:46] just going back to the process

[00:20:48] of going through the 11 day stand down protocol

[00:20:51] that's what my mind went to

[00:20:53] straight away after the game

[00:20:55] was just get back into that

[00:20:57] process of going through the protocols

[00:20:59] and I wasn't through

[00:21:01] only my wife being so

[00:21:03] strict on what to do these things along with the club

[00:21:05] that we went through the process

[00:21:07] as a set of seeking medical advice

[00:21:09] through the neurologists

[00:21:11] two independent neurologists

[00:21:13] and some neuropsychologists as well

[00:21:15] that all came to the same conclusion

[00:21:17] that I should return to play

[00:21:19] that's probably how I was going to find it

[00:21:21] Gio did you speak to any players

[00:21:23] for example some of you

[00:21:25] like the court here

[00:21:27] or anybody like that

[00:21:29] just to discuss your decision

[00:21:31] with colleagues who might have understood it?

[00:21:33] Yeah, I spoke with

[00:21:35] I think I exhausted every avenue

[00:21:37] I spoke to

[00:21:39] some current players

[00:21:41] I won't name them just so they wish

[00:21:43] not to be named but I spoke with some current players

[00:21:45] and some guys who have recently retired

[00:21:47] and along with some other guys

[00:21:49] who had a lot of concussion issues

[00:21:51] throughout their career but didn't make the retire

[00:21:53] and

[00:21:55] having those conversations

[00:21:57] probably helped form

[00:21:59] my thought process around making the decision

[00:22:01] and

[00:22:03] I think

[00:22:05] in combination with

[00:22:07] medical advice speaking with those

[00:22:09] past retired players

[00:22:11] obviously the coaching staff

[00:22:13] and the app performing staff as well

[00:22:15] as I said there was no decision to be made

[00:22:17] at the end of the day

[00:22:19] it was a pretty definitive

[00:22:21] The other thing is that you said

[00:22:23] after the Tigers gave

[00:22:25] your work potential thinking this

[00:22:27] what was it that made this specific concussion

[00:22:29] such as discussion with your family

[00:22:31] obviously to help

[00:22:33] really make a mark to get this checked up?

[00:22:35] Well I think

[00:22:37] my wife particularly

[00:22:39] she doesn't like me seeing

[00:22:41] coming off the field for

[00:22:43] the concussions at any time but I just think

[00:22:45] that I had a number over the last couple of years

[00:22:47] that

[00:22:49] obviously they have accumulated over time

[00:22:51] I just think that the number was getting quite high

[00:22:53] obviously in the double digits of

[00:22:55] I was not returned to play concussions

[00:22:59] and obviously I was getting on as a regular league player

[00:23:01] as well in terms of age

[00:23:03] so I think that

[00:23:05] her concern for

[00:23:07] where I was at currently was the cause

[00:23:09] for getting medical advice

[00:23:11] and was there a favorite part of the concert?

[00:23:13] Have you chips for anything else?

[00:23:15] Oh to be honest

[00:23:17] I haven't even given that any thought yet

[00:23:19] it's been

[00:23:21] I honestly feel like I've been in the

[00:23:23] investigation mode for the last sort of three weeks

[00:23:25] with trying to play

[00:23:27] and how that can come to fruition

[00:23:29] but I think I'll use these next

[00:23:31] you know this next week or so

[00:23:33] to really reflect on

[00:23:35] the career that I've had and as I said

[00:23:37] I'm obviously sad and disappointed

[00:23:39] that it's ended prematurely but

[00:23:41] speaking to some of those

[00:23:43] past players I really put into the perspective that

[00:23:45] I should be really happy

[00:23:47] and grateful for the career that I've had

[00:23:49] you know I'm so grateful I got to play

[00:23:51] my 250th year of the day

[00:23:53] and I've got more boys to come on the field with me

[00:23:55] which is a really special moment

[00:23:57] you know I've got to share in some really special

[00:23:59] milestones with the boys here as well

[00:24:03] obviously the premiership has come to mind as well

[00:24:05] but it's hard to pinpoint one moment

[00:24:07] I'm sure I'll reflect a lot more on the weeks to come

[00:24:09] It's you guys that I'll

[00:24:11] not only just want to bring

[00:24:13] to you guys on the field

[00:24:15] but also bring a lot of it

[00:24:17] and I think you'll obviously be dealt with

[00:24:19] how you guys will generally get to play

[00:24:21] you as a coach

[00:24:23] what does that kind of like

[00:24:25] to make you go to a league like this

[00:24:27] that you know at this time

[00:24:31] Before the girls sign

[00:24:33] there's

[00:24:35] it would be hard for me

[00:24:37] to value any song differently

[00:24:39] but it's one of the most significant songs

[00:24:41] that I've ever made

[00:24:43] and a lot of

[00:24:45] you always judge well how you do it

[00:24:47] so as far as

[00:24:49] the way you know

[00:24:51] the career of someone who is a professional sportsman

[00:24:53] or a good player

[00:24:55] professionalism

[00:24:57] I want to let just be anybody

[00:24:59] and I feel like he's

[00:25:01] doing his part

[00:25:03] the fabric

[00:25:05] the white numbers

[00:25:07] they're there for you to carry themselves

[00:25:13] even more up to today

[00:25:15] I'm just told you

[00:25:17] so considering that Spain is down here

[00:25:19] and right now it's down here

[00:25:21] we have a lot better interaction

[00:25:23] because it's just pretty good

[00:25:25] for the public

[00:25:27] I've surprised like that

[00:25:29] that come along that are

[00:25:31] just a

[00:25:33] complete savaging

[00:25:35] every fashion

[00:25:37] such a great medium

[00:25:39] and so forth

[00:25:41] I think it's a problem

[00:25:43] that's happening

[00:25:45] just to get it straight

[00:25:47] so the doctors told you

[00:25:49] that's here which must be very difficult to hear

[00:25:51] in the back of your mind you're formulating

[00:25:53] a plan to get back out there

[00:25:55] well I just felt like

[00:25:57] if I didn't exhaust every potential avenue

[00:25:59] that

[00:26:01] in a year's time I would have regrets about

[00:26:03] the potential to be able to play

[00:26:05] so

[00:26:07] I probably went overboard in terms of

[00:26:09] the people I've spoke to

[00:26:11] I spoke to the past players

[00:26:13] and some current players playing still

[00:26:15] and I spoke to the RPA

[00:26:17] I spoke to the lawyers of the RPA

[00:26:19] I spoke with

[00:26:21] I spoke with ex previous coaches

[00:26:23] I don't think there was

[00:26:25] I didn't want to have any regrets

[00:26:27] that I had any stones unturned

[00:26:29] about my decision

[00:26:31] and

[00:26:33] I think I can feel a lot more content in the decision now

[00:26:35] because I know that I couldn't have done any more

[00:26:37] I exhausted absolutely every avenue

[00:26:39] to be able to play

[00:26:41] and at the end of the day the decision wasn't mine to make

[00:26:43] so I can live without

[00:26:45] yeah but the main problem

[00:26:47] that you've come up with

[00:26:49] was that the most popular of those

[00:26:51] next few days is the financial security

[00:26:53] so it's a little bit of a problem

[00:26:55] to be honest I'm still in disbelief about it

[00:26:59] you know I probably

[00:27:01] watched the game on the weekend because I obviously

[00:27:03] knew that I wasn't going to be playing again

[00:27:05] I was mindful of

[00:27:07] really reflecting and taking it in

[00:27:09] just mindful of the things that I'm going to miss

[00:27:11] week to week

[00:27:13] but to be honest

[00:27:15] I really haven't had those moments of reflection yet

[00:27:19] I still felt like I was in the zone of

[00:27:21] you know

[00:27:23] obviously playing up until Thursday

[00:27:25] but then I wanted to

[00:27:27] tell my family I didn't tell my parents until

[00:27:29] Friday I think

[00:27:33] so it was kind of a

[00:27:35] letting my family know before that it was made public

[00:27:37] and just going through the process

[00:27:39] and talking to the people who needed to know

[00:27:41] and obviously

[00:27:43] wanted to tell the playing group at an earlier time

[00:27:45] but at just the time he didn't play out right

[00:27:47] and while I'm disappointed

[00:27:49] I know they know now

[00:27:51] and it's over now

[00:27:53] also, the same time with the family

[00:27:55] that you had?

[00:27:57] It was okay

[00:27:59] I think my mum particularly

[00:28:01] was not happy but also

[00:28:03] she didn't like saying

[00:28:05] a little boy in her

[00:28:09] it was a bit of sweet moment where

[00:28:11] I don't think there's any

[00:28:13] winners in terms of the outcome

[00:28:15] because

[00:28:17] you know whilst

[00:28:19] she done want me to finish my career prematurely

[00:28:21] and not on my terms it was obviously happy to see that

[00:28:23] these things aren't going to happen again

[00:28:25] in terms of the concussions and the worry that comes with it

[00:28:27] so it was a bit bittersweet

[00:28:29] You talked about tellings

[00:28:31] I should go to the club and

[00:28:33] there is a lot of shots somewhere

[00:28:35] There were a few rounds

[00:28:37] briefly discussed at last

[00:28:39] without any clarity around it

[00:28:41] just allowing the process

[00:28:43] of addressing the information

[00:28:45] so we've been talking about things from a while

[00:28:47] late tonight

[00:28:49] but all the while

[00:28:51] talking about how today has been

[00:28:53] well and the crisis

[00:28:55] and the fact that

[00:28:57] he was lost to it

[00:28:59] we've sort of been more talking

[00:29:01] about what it's like

[00:29:03] and obviously

[00:29:05] should they contend

[00:29:07] whatever you can possibly

[00:29:09] pack into the career

[00:29:11] I didn't tell you guys

[00:29:13] I'm going to the battle eyes

[00:29:15] and should they contend

[00:29:17] also I should go to the club

[00:29:19] so you must be exhausted

[00:29:21] it's like this constant

[00:29:23] just take a breath

[00:29:25] and go address them

[00:29:27] and then yourself

[00:29:29] should be a nice feeling

[00:29:31] you don't have to be there for a long time

[00:29:33] they'll not tell you details

[00:29:35] I think it definitely sounds funny

[00:29:37] I was so happy to say it wasn't this stage

[00:29:39] but you yourself had a really on the very end

[00:29:41] you're going to be able to make it to the next stage

[00:29:43] and potentially pull us back

[00:29:45] I think it's absolutely

[00:29:47] oh there

[00:29:49] there he is

[00:29:51] there he is

[00:29:53] that's the one

[00:29:55] is your partner filling up the social calendar

[00:29:57] for when cans of mist

[00:29:59] and things like that

[00:30:01] well yeah obviously you miss a lot

[00:30:03] obviously with rugby league

[00:30:05] with the commitments it has

[00:30:07] but yeah like I haven't given a lot of thought to

[00:30:09] about the ability around being able to get

[00:30:11] to more of those social events and things like that

[00:30:13] but it's um

[00:30:15] yeah I'll give you a sale so I'll reflect on that

[00:30:17] in the weeks to come but

[00:30:19] that's on the horizon

[00:30:21] what are some of the thoughts

[00:30:23] that you have for the latter

[00:30:25] from the current time

[00:30:27] do you think that

[00:30:29] you know what it thinks out of it

[00:30:31] it probably is not

[00:30:33] absolutely

[00:30:35] I start wondering

[00:30:37] is it just

[00:30:39] an unmanaged ring

[00:30:41] that you know if you're in partnership

[00:30:43] with Dalor anything out of training

[00:30:45] it's 100% possible of all

[00:30:47] but you like this thing

[00:30:49] so again this is a bit of an example

[00:30:51] coming through here

[00:30:53] and I'm sure

[00:30:55] I'm pretty sure

[00:30:57] that you know

[00:30:59] I'm sure in the plays

[00:31:01] and the stuff that you were saying

[00:31:03] that there's something that's been consistently

[00:31:05] going up in the history

[00:31:07] so to measure that

[00:31:09] you know

[00:31:11] you know

[00:31:13] I'm sure

[00:31:15] how are you going to

[00:31:17] adjust from this

[00:31:19] relentless life that you've lived since

[00:31:21] you were young till you went up to the baby

[00:31:23] and go into the dogs

[00:31:25] and setting the standards where you've never been below

[00:31:27] but there are things in once

[00:31:29] are you going to adjust the life

[00:31:31] after you live in Port of that challenge

[00:31:33] or are you going to go to the park?

[00:31:35] Yeah, I don't know

[00:31:37] I don't think the

[00:31:39] training nature is something that I really

[00:31:41] enjoy about I believe

[00:31:43] and I don't think that'll change

[00:31:47] I still want to be active

[00:31:49] and run into mates

[00:31:51] and all those sorts of things

[00:31:53] but yeah I guess

[00:31:55] my wife will probably enjoy it a lot more

[00:31:57] because I've sort of been very strict around

[00:31:59] it's breakfast time

[00:32:01] 6.30

[00:32:03] I've got to have my eggs

[00:32:05] I've got to be there, I've got to be there

[00:32:07] there's a bit more flexibility around it now

[00:32:09] as she goes well you don't have to have that

[00:32:11] you've got a little bit more time now

[00:32:13] so yeah I just think some of those

[00:32:15] more stringent things

[00:32:17] that I've sort of felt like I've had to do for the last 13 years

[00:32:19] I can relax a little bit more now

[00:32:23] but it'll be weird to make that adjustment

[00:32:25] I imagine

[00:32:27] I mean you've got 100%

[00:32:29] you've got to have everything you're hearing

[00:32:31] all the intensity, all the training

[00:32:33] just more everything every time

[00:32:35] yeah I'd like

[00:32:37] to prepare that way

[00:32:39] it's

[00:32:41] yeah I just

[00:32:43] I don't know what to say to be honest

[00:32:45] I just feel like that's the way I'd like to prepare

[00:32:47] for

[00:32:49] games and for training

[00:32:53] I don't know how much too much I'm going to add

[00:32:55] I don't know that's just the way I've always

[00:32:57] got like I'd like to prepare

[00:32:59] it's like looking around through the run out

[00:33:01] seeing what you've got, what you've got

[00:33:03] it's something that you can think of

[00:33:05] yeah it's special it's their day off too

[00:33:07] so I feel bad it's 25 degrees outside

[00:33:09] but yeah

[00:33:11] it is special

[00:33:13] and I didn't know how I'd feel

[00:33:15] when everyone would come in

[00:33:17] and

[00:33:19] in terms of emotion and how I'd feel

[00:33:21] but I think

[00:33:23] I'm just grateful

[00:33:25] for the career that I've been able to have

[00:33:27] and to be able to share it with

[00:33:29] all the playing group and the room and the staff

[00:33:31] and

[00:33:33] it is nice to be

[00:33:35] honored this way

[00:33:37] for my career

[00:33:39] and I'm grateful for everyone

[00:33:41] Finssey touched on that to me

[00:33:43] in 2021 when Donald Swann

[00:33:45] was the one that only said that

[00:33:47] Donald's been better for the club

[00:33:49] than the club has been to him

[00:33:51] so to that point

[00:33:53] is he

[00:33:55] a sport that I feel like?

[00:33:57] He's a shoe person

[00:33:59] so to point for our role

[00:34:01] yet we need to have those discussions about

[00:34:03] I think

[00:34:05] if we were channeling

[00:34:07] the energy that Donald's provided

[00:34:09] and probably with that small spirit

[00:34:11] and selfishness and why that

[00:34:13] was conducting themselves during his career

[00:34:15] and that could rub off your fear

[00:34:17] I think that's a good alpha body battle

[00:34:19] and I think

[00:34:21] when Donald's around

[00:34:23] it's a singular success

[00:34:25] and otherwise

[00:34:27] he's a singular someone that gets the very best

[00:34:29] out of themselves every time they turn up

[00:34:31] you know that the training session

[00:34:33] he's even strapped

[00:34:35] for his new year sessions

[00:34:37] he's always strapped up

[00:34:39] constantly taking out that so

[00:34:41] but as far as

[00:34:43] in the environment

[00:34:45] we're all trying to be everybody

[00:34:47] to get the very best out of themselves

[00:34:49] we're not more so

[00:34:51] so if she presents her in the ring

[00:34:53] I'll take her under account

[00:34:55] if we're business we can work on

[00:34:57] there's fun along the way

[00:34:59] and to a degree

[00:35:01] just a singular that

[00:35:03] giving them the very best out of themselves

[00:35:05] I'm sure

[00:35:07] I'm sure Craig will be able to get that

[00:35:09] Can I just ask about

[00:35:11] when you made that call last year

[00:35:13] about the great line

[00:35:15] you wasn't watching the game before

[00:35:17] knowing that

[00:35:19] I wasn't going to play anymore

[00:35:21] just mindful of

[00:35:23] recognising

[00:35:25] the things that I would miss about it

[00:35:27] even at times when I've been injured

[00:35:29] coming back from other things

[00:35:31] just holding pads for the boys

[00:35:33] little things like that

[00:35:35] just being around

[00:35:37] around it

[00:35:39] yeah

[00:35:41] those are the things that I'll miss the most

[00:35:43] and being in that sort of

[00:35:45] environment where you get into the shed for two hours

[00:35:47] prior to the game

[00:35:49] I guess just going through the

[00:35:51] routines and what you usually do

[00:35:53] and

[00:35:55] it's funny I don't know if it speaks

[00:35:57] about the things you won't miss

[00:35:59] potentially but I enjoyed that part

[00:36:01] of it and being sort of regimented

[00:36:03] in doing it

[00:36:05] but I said it's obviously

[00:36:07] time now to relax a little bit more

[00:36:09] and put those routines inside

[00:36:11] I'll leave for the fortunate

[00:36:13] that you actually come

[00:36:15] at this point in your career

[00:36:17] going to the point where

[00:36:19] HIA and Custom Policy

[00:36:21] have ever been in the picture region

[00:36:23] and you're set back on your belief

[00:36:25] that you're actually fortunate

[00:36:27] that you've got so much advice around you these days

[00:36:29] there's plenty of advice

[00:36:31] obviously

[00:36:33] the other one is doing plenty around it now

[00:36:35] with the protocol

[00:36:37] it was six days now it's 11

[00:36:39] but to be honest I don't know what the magic number is

[00:36:41] but I think it's a little bit of a labor

[00:36:43] that's beyond my capabilities

[00:36:45] of knowing that's obviously

[00:36:47] for the medical advice

[00:36:49] but our game is doing plenty

[00:36:51] I guess around the head

[00:36:53] and return to play and the HIA

[00:36:55] and as I said

[00:36:57] the club is speaking about getting medical advice

[00:36:59] and that's available to everyone

[00:37:01] to see urologists and uro psychologists

[00:37:03] and having MRIs and all those sorts of things

[00:37:05] and that's available to the players

[00:37:07] if they seek it

[00:37:09] and care

[00:37:11] if they're involved with my dignity first

[00:37:13] you just talked about it by thought

[00:37:15] in terms of your decision

[00:37:17] and just finding that it's a completely different person

[00:37:19] yeah, like I can't speak for every club

[00:37:21] but I don't know that

[00:37:23] every club would put

[00:37:25] the man ahead of the player

[00:37:27] and

[00:37:29] speaking to Fitsi on the phone initially

[00:37:31] obviously I went through

[00:37:33] getting all of the testing done

[00:37:35] and Fitsi took it upon himself

[00:37:37] he wanted to come over to my house

[00:37:39] to

[00:37:41] provide Maddie with as much detail

[00:37:43] and information that she wanted

[00:37:45] and Maddie, my wife, she was

[00:37:47] along the whole process, along with me seeing doctors

[00:37:49] you know, the whole lot

[00:37:51] so I think just from a club

[00:37:53] point of view to ease her mind

[00:37:55] to know that they are putting me first

[00:37:57] and that I won't be playing until

[00:37:59] we've definitively got to the bottom

[00:38:01] of whether or not I should be able to play

[00:38:03] so just the fact that

[00:38:05] they've put me first

[00:38:07] before playing

[00:38:09] speaks my mind for Fitsi

[00:38:11] and the performance stuff

[00:38:13] that I'm very working on

[00:38:15] thank you guys, thanks

[00:38:17] thanks for coming guys

[00:38:35] applause

[00:38:41] shanakes

[00:38:43] shanakes

[00:38:45] shanakes

[00:38:49] Fafina tries to crash his way out

[00:38:51] very fast

[00:38:53] Fafina got the ball over the line

[00:38:55] and all you people back in the shy

[00:38:57] tell you watch

[00:38:59] slide drop because we're covering over the trophy