Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Thunder on the turf hear the crowd ignite Perk Bears charging in red and black tonight from the try line battles to the lead wide steps. We break it down, we bring it home. These are the Bare Facts Per Pride Game on, let's attack. This is the Bear Facts.
Hey, we are roaring with the Bears and a real story shaking up the air. Big hits, big hearts, never lookin.
[00:00:42] Speaker B: Good evening grizzlies and welcome back to the Bare Facts, the show that proves you don't need a full panel to cause chaos, just the right combination of personalities.
Tonight we've got the trio of beautiful madness. Johnny, the man who claims he's calm and collected but somehow starts an argument with himself before every episode. Todd, who insists he's the sensible one despite being the only bloke who can derail a segment with a single eyebrow raise. And Rosny, the brains of the operation, the voice of reason and the only one here who actually reads the run sheet. Strap in folks. It's footy, it's fun, it's guaranteed to go off the rails in under five minutes. So let's get into it. Here's Roggie.
[00:01:19] Speaker C: Welcome back everybody to the Barefax. Firstly, I'd like to apologize for not having Mark on with us tonight. He had a family emergency but he will be back within a couple of weeks, so stay tuned for that. If you haven't already, follow our social so you can keep up to date with everything we do. And I'd like to invite Johnny and Todd.
[00:01:39] Speaker D: Hi Roshni. Hey Todd.
[00:01:40] Speaker E: Hey Rosni and Johnny, how are you?
[00:01:42] Speaker C: Good, how are you?
[00:01:43] Speaker E: Yeah, good, very good.
[00:01:46] Speaker C: Yeah, refreshed after that break you had. So I'd like to start with a few questions first.
So Todd, if you have to choose between cheering between Melbourne Storm and Manly, who would you pick?
[00:02:02] Speaker E: Melbourne Storm, hands down, easily.
I'm always like, yeah, I've always liked the players. Melbourne have had like top quality. Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk. Yeah, just, you know, just quality players. And I've just never liked Manly.
[00:02:20] Speaker C: Sorry, I was gonna ask your favorite players were, but I think you already gave us your playlist. Johnny, what about you? First games in Vegas are coming up. Who do you think is gonna win? The Knights or the Cowboys?
[00:02:37] Speaker D: Wow, that's a bit of a potential poo slinging match. With the way both sides completed their 2025 season, I think the Knights might have better defensive resolve to hold out the Cowboys, who are a good attacking team. So I'm gonna say on a gut feel, the Knights.
[00:02:57] Speaker C: The Knights. All right, Todd.
Vegas game.
Doggies and Dragons who you think have.
[00:03:05] Speaker E: To go doggies Just because. Just because the lineup on paper. Really?
[00:03:09] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:03:10] Speaker E: Anything?
Yeah, just looking at their lineup on paper, that's all. And you know, if you go by last season just. Bulldogs can't wake up until halfway through the season when everyone knows what happens. But yeah, just too much high power.
[00:03:28] Speaker C: Yeah, definitely.
Johnny, this is a question from Paul.
If you've been. If you were to be locked up in a prison cell for going too hard celebrating the Bears first win, if you could call any NRL player past or present to come bail you out, who would it be and why?
[00:03:49] Speaker D: Well, two. Two guys.
First and foremost for their passion, which I'm sure in court will resonate with the jury. Billy Moore and secondly, Dale Copley because he's actually a lawyer.
Broncos, Titans and Roosters player.
So yeah, he graduated on the bar in 2022. I've seen him around Brisbane City a few times. So shout out to Dale. Hope it's all going well.
[00:04:14] Speaker C: Perfect.
So, Jonny, we. We realized there have been some exciting junior games going on around. Could you tell us more about the games?
[00:04:25] Speaker D: Yeah. So round one in the junior grade started last weekend.
The Tigers up here in Brisbane came close.
The Malmeninga went down 24, 20. They showed a bit of resolve. They're just going to get better over time, no doubt. And they'll be there in the finals, we've got no doubt about that. Cyril Connell went down by six points, 14 to six. Sorry, by eight points. Can't count that again. They showed resolve and they're just going to grow into the season.
And as far as the North Sydney Bears, a great win by the Harold Mats. They played the Storm so they got over the line. Got the chockies at 20 to 18.
That was a really good game from all accounts. And the SG Bell side, they ended up losing by about 20 odd points. But it was close up until the 50th minute, 60th minutes. So look, none of them got smashed. There's heaps of resolve and I think the lads on both sides are going to get better as the season goes on.
[00:05:32] Speaker C: For sure.
Talking about footy and everything, we do have a footy tipping competition going on within the bare facts.
Could you tell us a bit about that?
[00:05:47] Speaker D: Yeah. So join up and get amongst us and see how good you are at tipping. Now you might be a tipster that goes, this animal's better than that animal. So clearly they're going to win and usually those people win. The tipping cobs, believe it or not, I've. I've seen it so many times over the years. And us renowned experts, Toddy and myself, we're the ones that go through all the analytics and all the data and we end up coming third, fourth or fifth on these tipping cops historically, look, yeah, get involved, get amongst the community. We want to build something that's immersible. With everyone coast to coast.
The more people from WA they get on it again, it's a good segue to 20, 27. The bare facts. Get on the web page, get on the socials. It'll show you where to go and join up. Look forward to seeing you all in the tipping comp, possibly taking my money if I putting money on it.
[00:06:45] Speaker E: A bit of fun, isn't it?
[00:06:47] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:06:49] Speaker C: So also we've got new player signings we just saw in the media.
Todd, could you tell us more about that, about Penthouse going to the Rabidos and then us losing Tino, do you have any more info on that?
[00:07:06] Speaker E: Yeah, that was just out of the blue. That was like.
Sometimes I think we should have tried harder to try and get him. But obviously he knows Wayne Bennett and he's good friends with David Fafida and he's. Yeah, I look back now and a lot of Broncos fans were saying, like, he'll never leave Brisbane. Like, his family's up here, he's got to look after his, you know, younger brothers, siblings and that, and they were sworn he'd never leave. And then all of a sudden, bang, he's off to a rabbit hose in 27. So I don't know how they're going to fit him under the salary cap, but I know, you know, keon's leaving for St. George and there's been murmurs that Cody Walker could be retiring. But if you're Cody Walker and you know, Payne Hass is going for rabbits, you'd play for nothing, wouldn't you? You might get that big send off at the end of 27 because that lineup with.
Wow. With Latrell Mitchell, Jack, Cody Walker, J Arrow, Brandon Smith, Talis Duncan, Cameron Murray, you can. You can just keep going. Alex Johnson, if you're there, he'll break the try scoring record this year. He should have. Ken Irvine, Mighty Bear.
So, yeah, it's just on paper it's a huge team gonna. And we've know. Absolutely. I was absolutely shattered as you know, since day one I've been all too this and t that and yeah. And anyway, you know, he's stuck.
[00:08:51] Speaker C: Com.
[00:08:53] Speaker E: Well, you know, he's just stuck with what he's comfortable with. I think like he got a new coach in Josh Hannah. I don't know how much that'll turn him around, but they've lost Brian Kelly and so, you know, and David Feeder as well, even though he didn't play. You know, take much on the field last. Last season. But they've had a few losses and I think they've probably only signed like Lachlan Ilias and I can't think of any other big names that have gone to the Titans. So it's going to be, you know, I don't know if they can turn it around or. Passion can only take you so far, so.
Yeah.
[00:09:32] Speaker C: Yeah, exactly. Johnny, do you. Who do you think the Bears are gonna try and recruit after the loss?
[00:09:40] Speaker D: Well, two props, two mids. The next best mid on the market that hasn't resigned is obviously Australian international and soon to be New South Wales representative player. Premiership winner, two Prems. Lindsay Smith from the Panthers, which I want to. If Mark was here today, you know, I hope all is well there. I wanted really to dive deep into his thoughts.
But look, I think Lindsay Smith stocks have now risen.
I hope Mal and the team are there chatting to him, trying to get him over. Mal did give him his first representative jersey and it's a good law to come here and be the spearhead of the. Of the Ford pack. He could definitely do that for us. But geez, we got a challenge up our sleeve if Panthers want to retain him. And now Broncos are suddenly in the market with $1.2 million to spend on a mid if they go down that route.
Outside of that, there's a couple other mids if we're just talking about mids that we should probably be looking at. Sam Hughes from the Dogs. He's beginning to reps up on the Serral though. Good system.
Very young, as in relatively young.
His best years are definitely in front of him. He played pretty well last week, actually, in that. In that trial.
And outside of that, Adam Mariota from the Raiders. I mean, he's a very good prodigal sort of prop who may not get as much game time as he probably would. The Raiders are stacked there in their Ford pack and yeah, if we could snare those three mids I think we saw today. Toddy Hugh. Yeah.
[00:11:14] Speaker E: Liam Henry gets on the phone to Lindsay and, and gets in his ear a bit and says, look, come over here with me. You know, that'd be great.
[00:11:21] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah. So I think, I think today it's been announced we, we've potentially lost another guy that we're looking at. Per reports Owen Trout from the Leopards. I think he signed on to the Sharkies. He would have been really good. He can play a bit of mid, bit of back row. He's sort of like in Morgan Knowles. He's going to play for the Dolphins this year.
People haven't seen much of him.
[00:11:45] Speaker E: They're Gonna signed for 26 or 27.
[00:11:50] Speaker D: Morgan trouts from next year.
Yeah, this year.
[00:11:58] Speaker E: So that could free up some players. Johnny.
[00:12:01] Speaker D: He could.
Yeah, it could.
Definitely think there's gonna be a couple.
Yeah, I definitely think there's going to be a couple of sharks heading our way. There's 15 off contract. You talked about south before, mate. There's 22 players off contract at the end of next year from South Salon. A lot of talent and at this year they're probably their best talent that's still not resigned is Jamie Humphries. I saw an article today that's us going to offer in something but if it's money we could possibly definitely out out bid South. But you know, the Wayne Bennett factor, how much does that carry? A lot obviously with us going there and the feeder. So look, we'll be, we'll be in the hunt for a few players for sure and yeah, if we can Jag a few of these other guys. I heard we were potentially looking at another forward from Leeds.
[00:12:54] Speaker E: A Polish guy.
[00:12:56] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, he's tough.
Yeah. Someone I asked someone who knows the English game pretty well and also the Aussie game, they said who can you compare him to? And he said he's like a bigger version of Luko Luka Luke o'. Donnell. And I'm like sold.
[00:13:16] Speaker E: Yeah, yeah.
[00:13:17] Speaker D: So, yeah, so yeah, we'll see where it lands. Hey, see where it lands.
[00:13:21] Speaker E: But with Owen Trout like that could free up Billy Burns. It could free up. You know, Cameron McGinnis has got a. You know, he's coming near the end of his career.
I'm not sure about Cora. I'm not sure where he stands.
[00:13:35] Speaker D: I think, I think the Corey the Cor is a priority for Sharks. You know what I mean?
[00:13:39] Speaker E: Yeah, you'd think so. But.
[00:13:41] Speaker D: But McGinnis, you can't keep him captain. Yeah, McGinnis would be our instant captain. He would just set the trends. He just, he'll just get things going.
He's that Monday to Thursday afternoon guy that sets all the standards, all the 1 percenters that make the overall team great. And then come game day he'll just be barking orders he'll be lifting up. He's that confidence guy. See across the dressing room and be like, I want to play for him because he puts in 100% and if I can limit my mistakes to the amount of teeth he's got left, we're gonna win again.
[00:14:18] Speaker E: And you know what you got to get from him as well? Like. Yeah, you look at him every match and you just sort of think, you know, this poor guy, he just gives his all. He just leaves nothing in the petrol tank. He's just.
[00:14:33] Speaker D: I agree, mate, I agree. And then back on Billy Burns. You said Billy Burns before. Mate, that guy was keeping Brendan Nicora out of the team. I think in that run to the finals, maybe even the first finals game that the Shark has played last year, that's a big feat. I know Nicora was coming back off injury, but like Billy Burns can play. He's come through like the Panthers system and that guy's got a lot of talent.
I. I would love for us to have a sniff at him.
I was going to ask Mark Guy today about his son Maverick as well. Who's. Who's off contract.
It's a one year deal.
[00:15:09] Speaker E: Be interesting with Maverick because you know when with Mark's career, like he started at Penrith, went to the Tigers and went across to the per. Western Reds. Perth Reds with Maverick. He started at Penrith this year. He's at the West Tigers.
He might come across to Perth, follow in dad's footsteps.
[00:15:30] Speaker D: There's definitely parallels there. He just needs one season at the Central Coast. Playing in the Central.
Yeah, mate. Hey, I was also checking the other day about other off contract, just forwards. I think the backs will be easy enough for us to get them.
And mate, there's a bunch of back rowers.
Good back rolls it off contract. I'll throw you some names here off the top of my head.
So you said Billy Burns before Sean Blore, Curtis Capewell, Luke Garner, Jack Goeski, Charlie Geimer, Brody Jones, Luciano Ryan Madison, give or take. Marata Neokoray, Scott Sorrison, Tony Shooker, Talakai Tualagi from the Eels and Sewer Wong.
They're formidable second rowers. Like any of those pairings too. Obviously you get more experience with like your sirens and stuff, but mate, we can.
[00:16:29] Speaker E: Jack Sarah Wong still available?
[00:16:33] Speaker D: He is. He hasn't resigned for the Roosters. Well, according to Zero Tackle, he hasn't resigned for the races. I'm sure he will. I'm sure he will. But then this year might be a bit of a trial for them. When, when Radley comes back he might slot into the second row. Conor Watson might play a bit of lock now that they've got Reese Robson. So there's a bit of reshuffling of the, of the decks there and how they won to 13 look. And is s. Wong really a bench player? Maybe, maybe not. I don't think he is should be starting. They're pretty stacked.
Yeah. So, but hey, I think a lot of teams will be going for him. You know, I can see the storm going for him. They were after Cooper buys. Very similar to Cooper buy really.
So yeah mate, so there's plenty of talent out there, especially in the props. Hopefully in the second row. Hopefully we jagged someone.
[00:17:25] Speaker E: With the like salary cap and everything. Like you know, do you think it was fair for like we're a new team, we're on the other side of Australia, you know, like we're in AFL territory and we're starting from scratch and we're under the same rules as teams who have got established rosters. Do you think it's fair that we're coming in for under the same rules and have to abide by the same rules when like all these other NRL teams have got 28, 2027, 28 of their 30 man roster field already and we've got to start from scratch and then they can compete with us as well. Like for these players on the open market. Like it's a hard, it's a hard call. Very hard call.
[00:18:17] Speaker D: Yeah. So I look at it a couple of ways. The first way is maybe the seller cap. I believe the seller cap should be the same. Right. Like I, I'm a believer in it. Everyone gets the same amount but potentially we could have got more of the club grant. So the salary for those that are no salary caps around like I don't know, $12 million. The club grants around 18 to 20 million and that pays for overheads, other juniors, an assortment of things. I think the overall club grant could have been higher and that could have been used potentially on property so we have some place to put up players. It's not coming out of their money and there's already establishments there. So once they come over there's a couple of houses or a couple of units in an apartment block, whatever, you know, we could make it work.
The other, the other thing I look at is maybe we should have got leeway as in to be able to sign players before November 1st.
So as far back as maybe September, September 1st or October 1st, keep in mind we had to assemble the football department, so we needed to do that first anyway. But definitely, I think a month give way, leeway into November 1st would have been good because we could have started bare minimum those negotiations.
[00:19:34] Speaker E: And as a fan, like, look at, as a fan, you look at like the Papua New guinea chiefs, like they're getting 600, what is it, 600 million.
They're getting tax, tax free payments, you know, like they've, they've got all these incentives for players to go to them and you sort of think, hey, hello, we're here.
[00:19:59] Speaker D: Yeah. So it was from my, from my understanding what got, what got us across the line, as in Perth Bears across the line was that the conditions of our license had to be nothing over and above.
And the club signed off on it. They just said we want them to start from net zero at the start of every season. Yes, granted the clubs already have their rosters, but they have players coming off contract. Like south have 22 out of their 30, you know what I mean? Like is what it is.
[00:20:33] Speaker E: It is. But we had a dance at Reuben Garrick and I thought we'd get him. And yeah, all of a sudden the Roosters have come in bang and get him. That's it, he's gone to Roosters. And you just sort of think, you.
[00:20:49] Speaker D: Know, yeah, I agree with you there.
Third parties also play play a role in that. Like the Roosters are like one of the best teams with third party deals.
Broncos number one Storm are up there too. So at Perth and, and our, the city and the state, hopefully they can get those third parties going and that potentially might be the difference to getting players that are sort of unsure to locked in, you know, Johnny, I'll ask, you answer, mate. Hey, boys of the play, sign to the Bears for next year. Who are you looking forward to watching play this year to get you excited for? And that's from Rock Tumbler.
[00:21:36] Speaker E: I've been watching a bit of the English trials actually the last two weeks and the Catalan Dragons and Toby Sexton, I think he crossed for like three tries the other day and like, you know, they are playing against lower level teams at the moment before they do hit the Super League competition. But it's just good seeing them get the kinks out.
I think one team the other day won like 104 to nil, I'm pretty sure.
So English.
Yeah, it was, you're right.
[00:22:15] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:22:17] Speaker E: So, you know, like it was good. Just, you know, Isaac was there, Tina's brother, he looked like he had a good hit out. So.
Yeah, so it's good I'll be keeping an eye on like all the players virtually who have so far and will signed the Bears. I think with our roster we'd probably want to have a pretty full by July, August. You'd think so because they're going to hit the training paddock on November 1st. So yes, I went out the other day. As you can see, I got some player heads. The Bears have signed Josh Curran, Toby Sexton, Liam Henry, Nick Maney and Ty Wishart. But I made a big mistake. Like I went out and I thought I've been on his bandwagon or since episode one and I got this fella and if there's any Titan, if there's.
[00:23:16] Speaker D: The commentator's curse, the commentator's curse.
[00:23:24] Speaker E: Won'T be doing.
Yeah, I won't be doing.
[00:23:27] Speaker D: You can send him my way. You can say in my way. He's still a Queenslander. Yeah, he's still a Queensland. We'll put him up three times. Three times a year.
[00:23:35] Speaker E: That's yours. Play it for the three games.
[00:23:39] Speaker D: Oh, mate. Hey, did you notice something about Toby Sexton that caught my eye?
He had six on his back.
[00:23:50] Speaker E: Yes, I saw that. Yes, he had seven.
So this week he had six.
Number seven. It was at Rabbit the Rabidos guy who didn't work out, wasn't it?
[00:24:05] Speaker D: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Jeff, sort of. Yeah, I know who exactly one way Bennett didn't like.
Yeah, yeah, I know exactly his name. I'll lose you right now. Yeah.
[00:24:18] Speaker E: Bags and said off you go.
Maybe.
[00:24:22] Speaker D: Yeah, he's getting paid 700000 plus whatever his car still is to. To play over there. So.
Yeah, maybe it was him.
Oh, you would have freed up a little bit. Hey there would have. Yeah, I'm sure Russell. Russell found a few extra pennies under. Under the.
[00:24:42] Speaker E: I'm sure he did.
[00:24:43] Speaker D: Russell, yeah, like Sexton were number six.
Look, I didn't watch the whole game admittedly, but the highlights that I did see, he was doing a lot of running and engaging the line and he was doing a lot of backup as well. He was backing up with. Well, I think all the tries where he was a backup and he got the inside pass and he managed to go away.
[00:25:04] Speaker E: But that's the opposition he was up against as well, Johnny. So.
[00:25:09] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, so that, that's. That's good because traditionally he's only been seen as a halfback and you know, a sound organizing halfback. But there's always been a running game to him and there's always been that sort of extra skill Set that might not necessarily have been utilized but it'd be good to see Paul Young. Yes he did mate, he did. He did score three tries. The hat trick. Don't know if it was his first game or his second game. I think it was his second game. Second game, yeah, yeah, yeah. So mate, players I'll be keeping an eye on, you know the panther boy already, Liam Henry. I want to see how he, he develops further. I think he's going to be really good this year. I think he might be a smokey for New South Wales bench potentially. They're pretty stock there as far as mids but he could be a smokey. I think he's got that mongrel in him.
And Tyrone Wishart really interested to see how he's used now with the six man bench Even though you can only use four of the six men because our utility spot might be. Some have reported that it's going to die out. There's no need for that utility spot anymore. You just pick four forwards are back and a guy that can sort of plug in a spine position as your six man bench then use the four that suit the game environment and how the game's unfolding. So I'd be really interested to see how Tyrone Wishart is being used. I've got a funny feeling that Harry Grant will be probably playing 65 minutes or something and then he'll come on time with Shard and he'll do a bit of the dummy half potentially share that also with lock position when low arrows having a spell which might lead into what you have been on since the start that he would be our dummy half.
I've been no, he's More probably a 5, 8 but as the weeks pass I'm yeah I'm coming across to your side. I think he will be our dummy.
[00:27:09] Speaker E: But he's such a good utility like he can play hooker halfback 58 and you know if needed in the backs like and lock as you said so you know he's yeah, yeah really good utility to have there. I can't. I don't think it'll change much. It's as you said it's just how much they get out of the Jerome users. Harry Grant, Cameron Munsters and who gets injured and like that. That's why I think he came to the Perth Bears because he was looking for that opportunity and yeah in the papers and everything Hooker has been mentioned so we'll just have to see who the Bears sign and that five eight or Hooker even and go from there see where he's suited. But we're pretty lucky.
The Bears have signed a fair few players. Nick Maney as well, who can play multiple positions and Josh Curran and. Yeah, it's, it's, you know, having players like Adu can do the different positions. It's, it's, you know, the Bulldogs had it last year and you saw how it helped the Bulldogs, so.
[00:28:21] Speaker D: Yeah, I agree. Toddy, I've got one for you. And this has just come off the dome, so if it sounds crazy, apologies.
Jackson, Purdue 900,000.
Starting fullback position, very untested, but has an amazingly high ceiling.
What do you reckon? Would you do it to get him across?
[00:28:44] Speaker E: Well, he's another one who can play multiple positions. I noticed the Cowboys have him penciled in at center for Vegas and he can play in the halves, as you said, fullback. So he's another one like.
And he's been touted as a halves as well a lot of the time. So it just depends like who the Bears, like who the Bears have actually got on their radar. Like, like, who knows, maybe they're waiting for Matty Burton to see how Mitchell woods and Lockie Galvin combined in 2026 or, you know, you just don't know.
Yeah, Jackson would be a good pickup for sure.
[00:29:26] Speaker D: Yeah, certainly quick.
Yeah, like I, I would probably, maybe 900 is a bit too high, but yeah, 700, 750. I would probably offer him that because I think he has as much potential to be that face fullback as what Hammond does and was when he first went to the Dolphins. People have to remember Hammer was relatively an unknown player when the Dolphins signed him. He played a couple of games here and there in the center's wing, couple off, off the bench. I think Jackson, Purdue is just, I don't know, I just see him as that guy. He almost reminds me a bit of like early Jack Widen, you remember early Jack Wyden that would play like he could play fullback and you know, he was quick and nimble, but he had a solid frame to him and he had that ball playing awareness that made him, you know, eventually a 58 and he could play center. He's actually, actually, I think it's actually a pretty astute comparison.
Yeah, I did hear today or read today that, you know, Connor Tracy and Trey Fuller also potentially on the radar. I don't know how true that is.
Great. You know, you're not going to get let down by Connor Tracy and Trey Fuller. Like, gee whiz, he, he's so elusive. He's. He can be anything on his day and he's not too bad defensively either. What do you reckon?
[00:30:55] Speaker E: Well, another fullback who's on the right, who's been said to be on the radar, who could be available as Will Kennedy at the Sharks as well. So.
I remember Connor Tracy. I saw him years ago playing for Newtown, the feeder club at the time for and still a. He used him and I miss go playing and he did have Will in front of him, but he just always caught my eye. And then he went to the Bulldogs without opportunity because he obviously couldn't get past Will Kennedy and has made that fullback position his own. So. Yeah, so there is a handful of fullbacks out there that are available for the Bears to go after, which is good for the Bears. Like, you know, it just depends if they put on their radar. You know, like it's like hookah hookers. There's so many hookers coming available as well by the looks of it. So.
Yeah, it's just interesting.
[00:31:49] Speaker C: Yeah, yeah, definitely.
If we haven't already touched base, what do you think of the North Sydney Bears trial versus Penrith?
[00:32:03] Speaker D: You want to answer that one, Toddy?
[00:32:05] Speaker E: Yeah. Well, I spoke to a few Bears officials over the weekend and they were very happy with the hit out. Like it's going to be a hard year for the Bears because they haven't obviously haven't got an NRL feeder club this season. So like the last two seasons, Melbourne have dropped back. Like they dropped back like two or three players most weekends. So, you know, this year the Bears are going it alone.
[00:32:28] Speaker D: So.
[00:32:28] Speaker E: So they've got the core squad virtually. We're going to the New South Wales cup opening in a few weeks for the Bear season launch. So that'll be. That'll be good just to see who's there and that. But they've kept a majority of last year's roster. I noticed, you know, they've. They have got a very stable roster. So, you know, like when it came to semi final times when we were aligned with teams like South Sydney and the Roosters, like we. We never saw those players virtually take the field for us and the Melbourne Storm, that first week of the F NRL finals, they were the same. Like they don't like giving out their players for that first week of the NRL final, so the Bears had to rely on their own. And then in that grand final against, you know, North Sydney Bears played in grand finals, consecutive grand finals, won against South Sydney and then Newtown the following year. Year they missed out in 2025. But yeah, like they had like four, five Storm players come in and take the field and I have to admit the worst players on the field were those Storm players who cuz they hadn't gelled during that finals period and and you know like the fullback Fago is.
[00:33:51] Speaker D: It like here long ago?
Yeah.
[00:33:55] Speaker E: Like even though he's flaring that I think he knocked on about three kickoffs which gave Newtown prime position and Newtown scored off the next set and Bronson Garlic made a few mistakes and yeah you just sort of looked at it and thought okay they're NRL players and but Duvet have a right to come in and push players out of the way who've done the job, you know, all season for that New South Wales cup side. You know it's like a catch 22 isn't it? Like I don't know if it's a rule that they've got to play or.
[00:34:27] Speaker D: Yeah, I don't think, I don't know if it's a rule. I think it was more so like potentially Bellamy or Frank Benici said hey we want our boys to play. It's like, you know and then that's just what I think. I don't know if it's true but if those two fellas say hey then you kind of just do it. You know what I mean?
I get it. Yeah, yeah I get and I get it. Like I thought I watched the game the one you're alluding to 2024 GF and yeah you could see the disconnectivity between the team and you could tell, you know who had been training and getting the reps between each other. Winger center, second row and then you had another edge that hadn't. If you try school down that edge and yeah, I mean on the North Sydney Bears, are you right? A lot of the boys have decided to resigned this year and kudos to them because they know they're probably not going to play NRL unless they get a contract mid year from somewhere team's injury ravaged or they've shown heaps of promise and some team that's got a, a place in their top 30 be like we need this guy right now.
So that's a good faith shown by them because The Doorway opens November 1st this year and definitely gives them that.
[00:35:45] Speaker E: Opportunity too to strive during the 2026 season with the Bears.
Hopefully they'll be thinking Ben Gardiner like Ben Gardner used to coach for North Sydney side a few years back so he's got that connection there and they'll be hoping that Mal comes along and sees a few games and you know a Few of those players might be able to force their way in like Kobe Thomas the lock, he's a good player.
Jaden Yates I heard play at the hooker played really good on the weekend.
Kieran Heyman like that guy never misses a goal. Riley Main in the second row like they have got a good squad so.
[00:36:27] Speaker D: Yeah and also for the Tigers as well. Not, not just for the Bears but there's a lot of lads that you know could have potentially gone to these other Queensland affiliated NRL cup teams. The Tigers obviously with the Bears now and just want to shout out to Jim Lennyhan, he's the new Tigers coach. So he actually worked with Mal at the Titans last couple of years so there's a connection there happening.
Yeah he's the head coach of the Tigers Q Cup team. There's a nice piece article written on him on the QRL site. People want to go check that out. So.
[00:37:03] Speaker E: And they've had a big roster change this year as well. The Brisbane Tigers, huge roster chain they.
[00:37:09] Speaker D: Have because you know, same reasons as, you know, not so much same reason as the Bears but they don't have that NRL pathway and, and, and it'd be pretty hard for them particularly because they've got these clubs right around them that are powerhouses. Dolphins on so much but the Broncos are like you know, 10Ks away so. Yeah.
[00:37:35] Speaker C: I quickly want to bring up how unfortunately we can have Mark on tonight.
Could you tell us who we're going to have next week?
[00:37:47] Speaker D: You want to go Toddy?
[00:37:51] Speaker E: Mark Graham, Sharko. Is it next week? Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Mark Graham, North. North Sydney Bears legend.
What can you say? He was a prime second rower in the 80s.
Always led from the front. Whenever you thought of the New Zealand test team it was always Mark Graham, Olson Filipano who was with the Tigers and later the Bears and the Sorens course of brothers Dane and Kurt. So yeah he's. He was. He's always been like a real gun player. Mark Graham, he. I think he came from Brisbane Norths and came down signed with North Sydney and yeah he's also got a documentary out called Shark. We'll plug that. So yeah to see it.
[00:38:42] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:38:43] Speaker E: Okay.
[00:38:43] Speaker D: I think it's on nine now. Think it's on nine now. For, for those that haven't watched it. It's a good doc.
[00:38:50] Speaker E: Yeah and that's. I think it was produced by his son actually.
[00:38:53] Speaker D: So yeah his son's got some talent behind the camera lens that's for sure.
Looking forward to seeing more of his stuff actually.
[00:39:00] Speaker E: So no Be good. Yeah, he's always one of my favorite players. Watching whenever he ran out for the Bears and just a powerhouse in that era, like the tough era. Like.
Yeah, like you never took a backwards step and. Yeah.
So I'm looking forward to having a few.
[00:39:19] Speaker D: I was gonna say back when six agains were six more hits across the chops. That's what six agains.
[00:39:28] Speaker E: Back when today's Sid Bins weren't even looked at.
[00:39:32] Speaker C: So.
[00:39:32] Speaker D: No, no, no.
[00:39:35] Speaker C: I definitely think that would be a very interesting interview that we'll have with him next week. Week.
Anything else you guys wanted to talk about? Any upcoming games? I do know that the All Stars is coming up on Sunday, if you had any input on that one.
The team list did drop out just this week last week. Team list for team.
[00:39:59] Speaker E: The team list dropped out and then half a team dropped out by what I saw.
Yeah, you know, that's.
That's the thing about the All Stars. Like, I do watch it and I. I like watching it and I like seeing background to it all and all of that, but just the players just keep pulling out all. All the time. Like it's just not consistent. Like, you know. Yeah, a lot of them just pull out. It's good to see Nico Hines as captain of the indigenous side. Like, yeah, I think he deserves it and he'll lead him well.
[00:40:38] Speaker C: Yeah, I was looking the. Sorry. The NRL put out teamless. Jesse Arthur's was the face of the team and I was like, okay, let's look at the team list. He's 18th, 19th man. And I'm like, what? Like, yeah.
[00:40:58] Speaker E: With that All Stars concept, Roshni, like they use the whole.
Like every NRL team I think has to be. It used to have to be represented once. I'm not sure if that's the case anymore.
But.
Yeah, that whole. Even 1920 players, they all get used. They do. So.
[00:41:17] Speaker C: Yeah, I hope so.
[00:41:20] Speaker E: I don't know whether he. I don't know how he feels about playing in that game as opposed to missing out on the flight to the World Club Challenge to play against Wigan. So.
[00:41:29] Speaker D: So, yeah, yeah. Something happened in there. He's been leapfrogged by Carapani and Grant Anderson's there now and yeah, Mal, get on. Get on the blower. Get him over. He's a good player. He's a good player.
Yeah.
Yeah.
[00:41:48] Speaker E: Didn't Billy Slater pick him last year or was gonna pick him?
[00:41:53] Speaker D: He's a good player. Like in the 2023 grand final. Panthers, Broncos. He was one of Broncos best. It was Him Herbie.
Yeah. They're probably the two best players for the Broncos that night and Jesse Arthur's was really, really good that night.
Just also for those that I know, New South Wales Cup SG ball, Harold Mats, Tasha Gale and Lisa Viola. Cups have started this weekend the Bears play Manly.
So if you're in Sydney, get up there, support the Bears against the arch rivals at Four Pines.
Hope the boys and the gals smash Manly so bad that they forfeit the next time they play us.
And the the NRL trials, it's week weekend too. So there's, there's eight games.
There is eight games of footy Thursday to Sunday. How good sometimes are playing Some pretty good strong teams sides as well, good lineups.
Las Vegas teams are pretty much full strength. So.
Yeah.
[00:43:04] Speaker E: What about the World Club Challenge, Johnny?
[00:43:09] Speaker D: Well, you know I hope Broncos lose because if they win I already know my mates are going to be like.
But yeah, but you know, but, but the Panthers couldn't and I don't need that sort of torment when I've been writing.
[00:43:34] Speaker E: I think the Panthers took it serious but.
[00:43:39] Speaker D: I think, I think they mentally took it seriously. But I don't think physically they were in the groove yet to, to play as in like they weren't match fit. They hadn't even played any games before that. Not even, not even a scrummage.
[00:43:56] Speaker E: Well that's right. Like you look at how, look at the English teams and they usually have like a few trials under their belt and at least one competition game.
Whereas when the Aussie teams take the field, you know, like I know the Roosters took it seriously a few years ago and had a warm up game but not many teams do that and I think they go in underdone and it's a shame because I like, I can't stand the Pommies having anything over us.
I like beating the English more than anything.
Cricket, rugby league, union.
[00:44:35] Speaker D: I think if it's the big, the big sides like they're playing Leeds St Helens 1 Wigan, it'd be like yeah, get up there Broncos and do what you do.
But I don't know being Hul Kr who are like what would they be the equivalent in nrl?
The Sharkies maybe? Like do you know what I mean? Like they're not a super team but they've had a super year. Like it just be pretty cool. There's, there's some good Aussies in that team. Good Aussie coach as well, Willie Peters. So yeah, I'm gonna actually go for. Okay. I hope they beat the Broncos though.
[00:45:09] Speaker E: A lot of the players, and I'm.
[00:45:12] Speaker D: In Brisbane, so that's. That's saying something.
[00:45:14] Speaker E: Yeah, a lot of the players in that whole KR team were, like, regarded as past their prime in the NRL or couldn't make a starting side and that. And then they seem to go to England and they win the man of Steel award and they, you know, like. And they just go. Go to another. Go to another level in that competition. But then we play them in this World Club Challenge and as you know, we get done.
[00:45:44] Speaker D: Yeah.
Yeah.
[00:45:47] Speaker E: It's hard to judge.
[00:45:50] Speaker C: Yeah. Well, we all know who I'll be going for. I'll be up at 3am in my jacket and all.
I just hope that it's worth getting up that early for.
[00:46:00] Speaker E: I'll be going for the Broncos, but, you know.
[00:46:02] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:46:06] Speaker D: Australian team, two against one. I'm the one in Broncos territory.
[00:46:11] Speaker C: Exactly.
[00:46:12] Speaker D: Well and truly rub shoulders of a few of the actual Broncos as well. Yeah, it's all in good fun. They. They know where I'm coming from.
You know, if they get up. Great.
[00:46:24] Speaker C: You can always switch halfway.
[00:46:27] Speaker D: That's right. That's right. That's right. Hey, Toddy, Give it. Give us one thing.
What is your random wild prediction for this year? What do you reckon? One prediction that you think's gonna happen? Like, it could be a ladder position. It could be a team coming out of nowhere. It could be a Premier, it could be Daily M.
Just something out of the norm. What's. What's one wild thing I think's gonna happen?
[00:46:51] Speaker E: I think the Raiders will drop down a notch without having Jamal there, without his guidance. I think they'll.
I don't know whether they'll drop out of the eight, but he's a huge loss going to Manly.
And their side was just looking. Whether they call up Kobe Black, who they got from the Broncos. He might be an option, but, yeah, he's a huge loss. Jamal Faggot. And I think a team to look out for if they're fully fit and everyone's. There's no injuries is the Dolphins. I reckon the Dolphins have got such an awesome roster. They've got great backs, solid forwards and.
Yeah, I just think to let go of that young bloke to Brisbane.
Yeah. Like, at second rower, he's made the World cup squad.
Yeah. Oblix. Yeah. Like, you know, straight into the Grand Final. Winning Broncos squad to go to the World Club Challenge and.
Yeah, like, they have got a abundance of talent, the Dolphins, and I'm looking forward to watching them play at full Strength like every time they've took the field last year like they always had someone out. Like FL is back now you. You got Farnworth back. Like they were like the hammer was on know he's about to break get the leading tri scoring record and then he did his hamstring in that game. Like he would have overtaken Mark Alphabet. You know, like it's just crazy. Like he was on his way to getting that leading try scoring record for last season and then he injured himself. So yeah, the dolphins might pick to loki to really challenge a competition this year.
What is it their fourth season?
[00:48:52] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, it is. It's. It seems like they've been around for ages. Yeah, it's only the force. Well technically their idiots 80th 85th season. But yeah, yeah it is. It is their fourth season.
[00:49:05] Speaker E: They're a great team to watch. They're just entertaining like.
Yeah, I like them.
[00:49:11] Speaker D: Yeah, that's a good take, man. I like those two takes. Good.
[00:49:14] Speaker C: That's a good one. What about you Johnny? Who do you. What's your crazy prediction?
[00:49:21] Speaker D: I think if they're unfit, Penrith win the premiership again.
Yeah. Okay. Come all comes down to how they start though.
Because they can't start like they did last year because now teams know that if they start crap what they can expect and they'll be able to counter that if they start strong. I think they got the hardest draw too. I think it was. It was based on metrics and analytics and their draw super hard. Plus I don't have a home ground and I just want to see a team with no home ground. Just. I don't know. I just love what they're doing.
I think Nathan Cleary champions origin finally and all those naysayers for whatever reason get off his back. I think he gets daily M and I think Selwyn Cobbo might become a bear. That's just a gut feel. I don't know if that's actually going to happen but. But that one year deal, you know he said he might go back to Brisbane, but they don't need backs.
[00:50:22] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:50:23] Speaker D: Yeah. I don't know. I don't know. That's just. I hope. I hope it happens. We'll see.
[00:50:27] Speaker C: Yeah. Who do you think might verse in the grand final?
[00:50:35] Speaker D: Probably.
Probably races.
You know Roosters if they can catch that lightning in a bottle and that wanting this this year with DCA there and make everything click.
You're really hard to be. I think people sleeping on them a little bit. But that's if everything goes well for them.
The other, the other random, you know, left field is I think Tigers.
They just missed the eighth, but they come ninth, I think. I think they're just, they're going to be pipping at the, at the heels of, of the top eight and they vastly improve again. Maybe next year they'll hit the eight, but they're on their way.
[00:51:19] Speaker C: Yeah, well, let's hope. I'm gonna say a back to back for the Broncos, but we'll see. I'm only going to be very hopeful.
[00:51:32] Speaker E: To South.
[00:51:34] Speaker C: Oh, maybe.
But yeah. Well, even though we didn't have our guest interviewee here today, it's been a very eventful interview. We've had some great topics, great conversations, great predictions.
Before we do head off, I want to plug in our team, supporter team that I will be hosting.
Hopefully that's in frame.
So this team, we are going to be a media team that goes out to rugby events, local community events, basically trying to get the rugby community a bit more energetic within Perth.
We're gonna have hopefully a few dancers, a few people who can come out on the streets, do some interviews with us as well. So we've got a lot of positions open.
We do have trials from April 13 to April 29 this year. I want to build a team, a strong bond between everybody before we start heading out.
You don't have to be a professional dancer or anything as I will be, you know, helping you and training and everybody.
It's a great opportunity. It's every Monday and Wednesday morning and then every game day which everyone will get told about a week in advance.
But yeah, I think it's a great opportunity if you've got some extra drive in you to do something extra every week.
We do have all this information on our social media and we have a website that you can go to Rubies Dance to get even more information on this one. So hopefully, you know, whoever's watching, we can build a team soon and get out on the field, get out on the streets and get some good interviews. Hopefully we can get it going.
[00:53:30] Speaker E: Were you being red and black or what will your colors be?
[00:53:34] Speaker C: Yeah, definitely. We're still in the making of uniforms and everything, but it's definitely going to be red, black with a little bit of gold. We always have to have some glitter in there and then. Yeah, so it's just going to be fun. I'm looking for just 20 girls and boys just, you know, to bring some energy to, you know, an everyday game. So.
[00:53:57] Speaker E: Yeah, excellent.
[00:53:59] Speaker D: Yeah, the perfect weekend for years to kick off too.
Yeah, well, it's actually earlier. It's actually earlier than your time frame but March 21st and 22nd, the trials for the NRL WA. That's the seniors competition kickoff and yeah, their season proper starts on Sunday, April 12th. So all you Western Australians that love your rugby league.
[00:54:20] Speaker C: Yeah, perfect. I think we'll, I'll head out and I can also like ask people if you're heading out there, come up to me and I can give you more information. We'll have some flyers and all that. So yeah, I think, I think that is all from us tonight, but it's been a very good interview.
Get ready, tune in for next week's interview. Yep. Head to our socials for more. Thanks for joining us.
[00:54:47] Speaker E: I want to say all the best. I hope Mark and his family, everything's all right there and yeah, just they're in our thoughts and hope everything comes good there for them.
[00:54:58] Speaker C: So definitely, definitely we missed him tonight but we hope everything's going just smoothly.
