Holy Halasima, Rugby 360 & ROLL BALL?? Stop the CAP!!

Wow wow wow Halasima! We talk about all of Round 20, the new Saudi-backed R360 league and the Roll Ball calls over the weekend…

Welcome to my YouTube channel.

If you like these videos make sure you SUBSCRIBE!

——————————————————————————

MY WEBSITE:

https://www.chadtownsend.com.au

——————————————————————————

SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNELS :👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

– Vlog: @ChadTownsend10

– The PLAYERS Golf Club: @playersgolfclub

– Halfback House: @halfbackhouse

——————————————————————————

PLAYERS GOLF CLUB – SHOP HERE:

http://www.playersgolfclub.com.au

——————————————————————————

Sports, Content & Podcasts:

HALFBACK HOUSE PRODUCTIONS

http://www.halfbackhouse.com.au

——————————————————————————

THE CHAD TOWNSEND SHOW PODCAST:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast…

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EvFnF9…

——————————————————————————

Socials:

http://www.instagram.com/chadtownsend10
http://www.instagram.com/thechadtowns…
http://www.facebook.com/chadtownsend10
Tweets by chadtownsend10

——————————————————————————

2025 VLOGS:

2025 PODCASTS:

Contact:

Chad@chadtownsend.com.au

Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
01:58 What’s Trending
15:26 Dolphins 43 Cowboys 24
19:03 Sharks 31 Roosters 18
22:39 Panthers 30 Souths 10
27:34 Raiders 40 Eels 16
31:23 Bulldogs 20 Dragons 18
40:13 Manly 18 Storm 16
43:15 Tigers 21 Titans 20
47:19 Warriors 20 Knights 15
50:29 BIG FOOTY GUY and Top 5 rookies
54:48 Fan Questions

CT

We are back. Home of the prodical son, young 
Chad Townsen. Chad Townsen plays on plays to the whistle. Kicks away for Valentine. All right. 
What’s going on everyone? Welcome back to another episode of the Chad Townsen Show. If you’re new 
here, please make sure you do subscribe. It is   greatly appreciated. If you’re on here on YouTube, 
drop us a like, drop us a comment on the video. It does help us a lot. So, we really do appreciate it 
on the channel. And and if you’re listening over   on the audio platform, Spotify, Apple podcast, 
whatever it may be, if you can rate and review us, it does really help us as well. So, I 
really appreciate all all of your support. Before we get into the rundown of today’s show, 
Victor, my brother, how was your weekend? Good, mate. It was a good weekend for me. I got the 
dub. Yep. Yesterday at soccer. Yeah. I pulled   up with cramp again like I told last week. Not 
hydration. Is that the thing? I hear it’s salt, though. Is it? Yeah. Hydration. hydration, 
electrolytes, some hydrolyte or some hyro,   whatever you can you sort me out. I can sort 
you out. Okay, done. Well, yeah. Otherwise, it was really good. Really good weekend. Feel like 
you’re stacking some wins now in the soccer. So,   yeah, we are. Hey, we got to come down to come 
and watch a game. If we make the final, you I’m out there. I’ll be down there. I’ll come I’ll come 
and watch. Yeah, for sure. I’ll bring the camera. Jeez. Oh, all right. Let’s let’s let’s get into 
it. E, what’s trending? We have a look at what’s   trending in the NRL. Obviously, uh, a little 
bit happened over the weekend. We have a little um, transfer talk. Not much happening in that 
space today. Around 20 reaction, the biggest   moments from this past weekend. We’re having 
a look at our top five this today. This week, we’re having a look at the top five rookies so far 
this season in the NRL. Our big footy guy of the week, fan questions as always. So, if you’ve got 
a question, just drop it in the comments below. We answer a lot of questions here on YouTube, and we 
really do appreciate you guys sending them in. So,   Victor, let’s go. What do we got first? Did you 
hear about the the Rugby 360 competition? They’re rumored to be signing RTS on a on a 1 million uh a 
season deal. Yeah. What are your thoughts on this? Yeah, look, this is this is crazy. Like obviously 
there’s a lot happened over the course of the landscape of sports over you know the last I 
guess 3 years with obviously live golf the Saudis getting into live golf. I mean obviously you know 
some people are likening it to the IPL of cricket which is I guess it’s a little bit different. Uh 
but live golf I guess the Saudibacked uh golfing league is is pretty similar with regards to the 
Saudi money and the oil money and everything   that that happens over there. Now, it’s rumored 
that this Saudibacked rugby 360 is going to be targeting some NRL players. Roger Tulvas Sheek 
was the first name that got tossed up last week and obviously uh Cameron George, the CEO of the 
New Zealand Warriors, uh put a statement out last week saying this is a real threat to the NRL and 
the players uh or not a threat for the players, but it’s a real possibility that players could 
be leaving for these lucrative contracts. Um, I mean, what do I think about it? If Rod Jour 
Master Shet was to play out next season with the Warriors and then go and sign, you know, a 
twoyear, $2 million season, I mean, how can you begrudge the guy to go and get a payday? Can you 
blame him? You can’t blame him. Like, it’s just   money that I guess the NRL, you know, the salary 
cap is building and is growing year on year, but it’s like you just cannot compete with that 
type of money. Um and from all reports as well, the length of the season in that rugby 360 is much 
shorter and the format looks to be like a global format where they have games all across the world 
which is what rugby is. Like rugby is a global   game, you know what I mean? And that’s going 
to make play I mean players can get double the pay but work half as much. So it’s a no-brainer. 
There’s no doubt. Like the the stuff you put your body through for NRL like is crazy. The demands 
of the game these days are insane. The preseason is just off its head. the length of the season, 
27 weeks, and like for for for someone like Roger to go and play potentially three months, so 12 
weeks to get paid $1 million for 12 weeks work, probably four weeks of preseason in a game that is 
a global game. Like at the age of 32, turning 33, you know, like 32 years old, like it’s like good 
on him, man. And but it’s it’s it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow, I think, for the NRL. 
like they’re the ones I guess the fans, the NRL, the fact that they’re losing plays to potentially, 
you know, bigger offers, you know, how do we kind of keep those guys in the game? That’s the 
question for the NRL. Like, it’s going to probably come down to dollars and cents, you know what I 
mean? If it’s if it’s all about the money, well,   the NRL just can’t compete with that. So, yeah. I 
mean from my point of view it is hard to um like you don’t like seeing some of the best players 
like Roger’s you know top tier player had a great   career in both rugby and rugby union but if uh 
rugby league sorry if he was to go over there you know like what do you what do you do you have to 
say man secure the bag secure the future for your   family and thanks for your service. Yeah you know. 
Yeah. Um agree. Yeah. What do we got next? Kevin Walters is going to coach the Kangaroos on a two 
uh sorry a threeame contract. Threeame contract. What do you think about this? For Kevin Walters 
to coach the Australian the Australian Kangaroos on a three-game contract. This is this is crazy. 
I mean yesterday I was lucky enough to commentate the game on SCN league the West Tigers verse the 
Titans game with Jimmy Smith and Justin Horow. The news broke after the game basically straight 
away that Kevin Walters, you know, was taking on the three-game contract. And obviously the 
Kangaroos have a vacancy there at the moment   with Mal Maninga. He’s decided to join the Perth 
Bears as their inaugural head coach. So, you know, obviously names tossed up. Um, you know, Brad 
Fitler’s name was tossed up. He later pulled out Cameron Smith’s name was tossed up uh among a few 
others. and and Kevin Walters who has constantly said in his time at Fox League that he wants to 
get back into coaching. He’s made it very clear   that he wants to be an NRL coach again or coach 
at a high level again. And obviously he’s got I feel like he’s got a lot to offer. Like let’s not 
forget he just took a team to the grand final two   years ago, the Broncos. He’s had a story career 
as a player. Uh a lot of success at coaching at origin level, had success coaching at NRL 
level. And yeah, I like the appointment. I mean, the three-game contract just for the end of the 
season, the Ashes series where the Kangaroos take   on England in England, uh, the Ashes Tour is is a 
bit weird, I guess, just purely for the fact that you don’t see those shortterm contracts these days 
in rugby league for coaching. But whether that’s the Kangaroos wanted that short-term contract or 
it was Kevin Walters that was like, hey, you know,   my commitments are this. I’m just available 
for this. That’d be interesting to find out. I feel uh on the back end of that. But I I like the 
appointment. Like I said, Kevin Walters has a lot to offer. And at that level, when you’re coaching 
the Kangaroos, which is the hardest team to make in rugby league, full stop, you don’t really 
the the players there aren’t really, you know, coached. They’re more managed. Like they’re the 
best players in the world. They kind of come   up with how they want to play. And you know, the 
coach is kind of like the manager, the man manager of the whole thing. So the players are obviously 
the top tier best players in the world. So yeah,   interesting to see if they have success or if 
they don’t and and what sort of comes uh on the on the back of that. Do you see this as more of 
like a trial period for for Walters rather than   a financial thing from the the Kangaroos? Yeah, 
it’s like I said, I think it’s it’s interesting the fact that the Kangaroos either didn’t want to 
commit to a longer term deal or Kevin Walters was just like he wanted a short-term deal. Uh, you 
know, whether it is just a trial and see how he goes, uh, or he was the best pick of of the all 
the applicants, I’m not I’m not I’m not too sure what it kind of means to be honest. It kind of 
leaves a lot, right? Yeah. So like it leaves a lot open. And the thing with international footy 
which has grown you know year on year for the past say five to seven years is the test matches aren’t 
really sort of scheduled until like that year like there’s no like unless it’s the Rugby League World 
Cup like Samoa and New Zealand and Australia and whatever England probably won’t know don’t know 
who they’re playing next year yet until probably this season is done. So they’re they don’t know 
how many games are getting played and and things   like that. So it’s kind of yeah, we’ll just wait 
and then we’ll schedule stuff and you know where I think they can probably better schedule that 
stuff a bit further in advance the games outside of the rugby league world cup cuz the the appetite 
for international rugby league is just growing especially in the Pacific you know since uh the 
allegiance swap of Jason Tamalo basically changed the whole thing. Yeah, he’s uh he’s a pione led 
the way and that’s you know that’s just one of his legacies that will go down for Tonga. Um but yeah, 
all in all, we’ll finish on that. Kevin Walters, I like the appointment. I’m interested to see 
how he sort of goes at the end of the year and   if he stays on or if it’s just a threeame thing 
and then he goes back to doing whatever he is doing. Love it. One thing uh I noticed over the 
weekend I wanted to ask and get your opinion about was the roll ball rule. saw a lot more of it this 
weekend, especially in your game. Yeah. Uh can you talk us through that? Yeah. So, I guess now that 
Origin’s done, I mean, we didn’t see one roll ball in three games of Origin, did we? Because it’s 
just a stupid bloody rule in my opinion. I don’t like it. I don’t know why they focus on that area 
of the game. It’s an area that just does not need to be focused on you. Uh so Origin’s finished 
then the NRL sent a directive to all clubs to say hey we’re focusing on roll ball again this 
weekend so make sure you play the ball with your foot genuine attempt and some of the decisions 
over the weekend were diabolical in my opinion they were just there was no consistency what was 
penalized for some wasn’t penalized for others. And there’s some that were penalized that like 
actually the wording is genuine attempt to me   there was like there was genuine attempt in 
a lot of the the ones that were penalized or uh changeover or whatever whatever it is. But 
like I’m not a fan of it, Victor. And you can tell it’s just ticking me off. Yeah, I can tell. Um 
another question though, like what is the what’s the solution? Do you say you just go to not having 
to worry about it? Cuz then don’t you get into an area where the play of the ball becomes more like 
touch where they’re just dumping under under their   legs? I don’t know. And that influences the speed, 
right? So what’s the area that you you fall on? Not really. You can still play the ball quickly 
with a genuine attempt. Yeah. You know what I   mean? It’s got in my opinion, it’s got nothing 
to do with it. If I if I roll a ball through, like I’m not just going to like proper touch and 
just dump and go. Yeah. Like I’m I’m definitely   going to put my foot over it. Like if you time the 
difference between me just rolling it, lifting my foot or me just rolling it underneath my foot. Me 
sorry, me making a genuine attempt with my foot or me just rolling it underneath my foot. Like what’s 
the difference there for real? Like you watch the   Super League, the Super League don’t have the roll 
ball rule. None none of them ever use their foot ever. And I don’t see the the difference in 
the speed of the playable. I just think as a player and as a fan of the game, it’s an area 
that we just focus on that just does not need   to be focused on. Like why aren’t we talking about 
like I don’t know big plays and other areas of the game instead of like the play the ball, you know? 
I don’t know. I don’t know if I’d love to know what the fans think of the weekend and some of the 
decisions m based around the the playable ball and the roll ball. Like is it it’s very frustrating. 
You know, the momentum just flips on its head from just one decision from a referee that just sees 
one thing and the thing that ticks off people the most. And during the call yesterday, there was a 
massive call in the Titans game. Jamon Jolof was uh calling on a roll ball and it Justin Horow like 
lost his mind because we watched it closely for the next five minutes after that and there was 
multiple other playable balls that were exactly the same as Jolofs that weren’t picked up and it’s 
like that’s the thing it’s just the consistency is just not there like you know I don’t know how if 
they’ve been the refs have obviously been directed   on the weekend because Origin’s over like I said 
they don’t do it in Origin The ref’s not going to pick up a roll ball in Origin. The best games, 
the best ref game is Origin because they just they let all of that stuff go. Can you imagine 
if they were refing Origin and they picking up   all these roll balls? Like it’s the fans would 
be in absolute outrage. So why do they do it? We why are they doing it now post Origin in in 
and they do it every year to be honest. The NRL they come out after Origin and they say, “Oh, now 
we’re doing they’re focusing on this.” You know,   usually happens around magic round there’s new 
rules. is a focus on in and around magic round because all the eyes are on it. They get it wrong. 
Then they they pull it back. They change it. Then we get to Origin, they let stuff go. Then post 
origin, they bring it up again, they make changes,   then they’ll they’ll focus on this for probably 
two or three weeks. Then they’ll leave it at the back end of the year. And then in finals games, 
they’ll leave it as well. But for some reason,   we just go through this period after Origin and 
around Magic Round where we just focus on garbage. Do you know why? Why? Do you know why? I don’t 
know why. This is the NRL. Yeah. You can tell I’m a bit heated, so I better just calm down a little 
bit. Have a drink. It’s office. It’s office. It’s   hot in here. I don’t know. As a fan, what do you 
like? What do you No, it’s [ __ ] Yeah. Sorry for a lack of a better term. That’s okay. It’s um It’s 
inconsistency you don’t want to see throughout a season. I think refs like the game should be refed 
the same throughout the whole year whether it’s Origin or not and seeing us rule just like that 
which can flip the momentum of a game on its head it’s just it’s bad to see and look it’s not the 
referee’s fault like I’m making this clear because they’re obviously under directions from directives 
from above you know to make these calls and referee games a certain way and whatever it may 
be but um yeah obviously I’ve made my thoughts and feelings clear on the situation and take it what 
uh take it for what it’s worth. We’ll uh we’ll see where they go. Yeah, we’ll see where they go from 
here and we’ll we’ll move on to uh the games from   this past weekend. Now, it started off Dolphins 43 
uh beat the Cowboys 24. Now, uh a big win for the Dolphins and a big loss for the Cows who did come 
back in this game, but uh the Dolphins you scored early off a cout pass. The Cows started okay after 
a few Dolphins errors gave them some possession uh when they scored their first try, but ultimately 
it probably came down to that Cowboys right edge defense which just was not probably up to standard 
for them on the weekend. They let a lot of line breaks through, a lot of tries, and it just seemed 
like throughout this game, the Dolphins would make a line break around halfway and then it’d be 
like a four and one on Drinky’ be at the back and defending and the Dolphins player who made 
the line break would have like one guy here,   one guy here, and he he could either pass left 
or right and then they they’d be scoring. So, uh, the Dolphins, they were dominant. They 
went into halftime up 24-6. Uh the second half um started with, you know, the Dolphins came out 
and scored again. Then the back end of this game, the Cows started, they mounted a comeback inside 
the final 20 minutes where obviously they needed to throw the ball around. You know, they didn’t 
have anything to lose at that stage of the game.   And this is when Jacko, Drinky, and Tommy really 
started getting to work. And they looked so so dangerous. They got to within 12 points of the 
Dolphins, but again, just as they were kind of building and coming back into the game, it was 
that right edge for the Cowboys which conceded   another line break and it was Connelly Lemmo 
that went through and uh basically that was it. Uh Avarillo scored that late late try which sealed 
the deal off the Connelly line break and then he did the the good night celebration. Aarillo that 
was uh that was pretty clutch. That’s my favorite celebration in all of sport. Yeah, Steph Curry 
good night. Good night when he just sinks a dagger three. Uh but yeah, for like I said for for the 
Cows they’d be disappointed with that. Obviously it was a big game for them. They’re well outside 
the eight at the moment. I’m not sure where they   sit on the ladder. Victor, you can have a bring 
it up there. I think they might be about 12th, but obviously pressure’s been, you know, mounting 
for the Cows. You know, got a great team, the Cows. Obviously, they’ve a bit light up 
front at the moment. Obviously Jay still out,   Mlan still out, McIntyre out. So, they’ve got 
a bit of adversity with injuries. Uh having to sort of play some younger guys off the bench at 
the moment. And obviously that right edge defense which was not not good for them on the weekend. 
Where are they at on the ladder? 13th. 13th at the moment. Uh I think they’re on 17 points. 
17 points. Sorry. And eighth sports on 24. 24. Correct. Yeah. So seven points separates them with 
seven rounds to go. Yeah. Yeah. So it’s probably and they’ve got to pretty much win every game 
from here on for the Dolphins where they’re still outside the eight as well. Yeah, they’re on 22. 
22. So they’re two points outside. They’re ninth   spot. They’re just outside. Well, you’d probably 
think the way they buy next week. Oh, buy next week, which helps. You probably think with the 
way they’ve played this season, they’d probably   be inside the eight, wouldn’t you? But hey, they 
they have a 169 point difference, which is the second best in the league. Yeah, that’s crazy. So, 
they’re very good. Very good with the ball. Yeah, very good. Score a lot of points the Dolphins, but 
um yeah, let’s move on. Uh next game, Sharks 31, Rooers 18. Uh a tough night in the office for us 
on the weekend. Obviously, it’s me f my first game back in the NRL for quite a while. And man, even 
though we lost, even though I didn’t play that great, I bloody enjoyed it. I had such a good time 
out there on the field at Shark Park. When I found out I was playing, I was like, “Wow, I knew that 
we were playing the Sharks.” And it was just like, this is a pretty cool moment for me. You know what 
I mean? I got to play my NRL deboo at Shark Park 15 years ago and now I get to play uh which I 
don’t know if it’s going to be my last game. I mean, I kind of had to treat it like it was. Um, 
and that’s the thing with footy, you just don’t know what’s going to happen. So, look, it was 
a special moment. I had like 30 tickets there,   friends and family all at the game, obviously. I 
mean, the stadium is like 5 minutes from my house, so it was actually pretty cool to just play 
and then just come home. It was the first   time I had all four of my kids at Shark Park as 
well watching. Uh yeah, when I was at the cows, I had three kids at one game and then I had we 
gave birth to one like a week after I played. That was the 2022 game we play. We beat when Val kicked 
that field goal. But yeah, anyway, uh a huge game uh for us and we got beaten by the physicality of 
the Sharks. The Sharks were just running harder than us. They kicked us into corners. They forced 
a lot of uh errors or a lot of I guess you know unforced errors from us. We obviously were trying 
to find things late in the game and obviously just didn’t execute to be honest. U Blake Brily I 
thought was great for the Sharks. He’s been   playing really well at the moment. Adam Fenua 
played his 200th game for uh inside the NRL. Uh yeah, I mean like I said I was very grateful 
to be out there in the opportunity that I got. uh as disappointing that it it was for us. Uh I 
felt great out there. Like my legs was my lungs   are sweet, legs are sweet, like pulled up sweet 
like uh there was no issues there. Um but yeah, just really grateful to be out there. I think 
Nahu White was great for us. He’s been outstanding so far this season. Sam Walker had some great 
moments as well. I thought uh in his, you know, he’s still building in his return from a long 
layoff with injury. I thought he was dangerous as   well. Uh Teddy’s always, you know, Teddy’s always 
Teddy. Victor pulled up a little bit sore on his shoulder, but yeah, we’ll see what happens with 
him. So yeah, we just were beaten to the punches   by the physicality, you know what I mean? And um 
that’s the way footy goes on time. The footy gods don’t really have a, you know, sometimes there’s 
no fairy tales with the footy gods. The footy gods just do what the footy gods do. And you, I saw 
you down there, Victor, actually wearing a shark   jersey. Come up to me after the game. He’s like, 
“Bro, game dapped me up. Gave me a a hug.” No, it was a cuddle. Cuddle wearing a Sharks jersey. 
I was I was like, “No, that’s all I was going for you. I sent you a text before the game.” You 
did. You did. No, I appreciate it, man. But yeah,   it was a good night. Uh, obviously it would 
have been great to get the win and, you know, play play well. But that’s just that’s the NRL is 
NRL is like extremely hard and doesn’t always go your way. So, you know, we uh we got to learn 
from our losses. We had a good look at it as a   squad yesterday, what we need to improve on. 
And then you just got to move on. That’s the the nature of the beast NRL is like you got to 
move on quickly. You address things, you move on quickly and whatever happens happens. So we move, 
we move on. Next game, Panthers 30 South 10. My bro Sorenson. Scotty Sorenson. His first game back 
after suspension actually u back in. Played about 75 minutes. So um great to see Sor back out there. 
But an interesting stat I saw from the Panthers, and it definitely coincides with their run, you 
know, over the past six weeks, is in the last   six games, they’ve conceded less than 12 points 
per game, which is why they’re winning at the moment. I mean, their defense has improved, their 
completion rates improved. It was diabolical at   the start of the season, especially their edge 
defense. Nathan Clearary was not playing on the weekend. Obviously, South’s lost Latril Mitchell 
during the week, potentially for the season,   which what sounds to be a quad injury. Uh I’m 
pretty sure there’s also news that they’ve lost Ka Matangi for the whole season now with a high grade 
syndismosis came out yesterday, I think, which is just crazy. M South’s they’re not having a great 
season at the moment. Obviously, the injury toll is outrageous. Obviously, Cam Murray is another 
one that hasn’t played a game at all this season. Uh let sorry Cody Walker’s missed a lot of 
football this season with some soft tissue   injuries. This comes back to your to your 27 game 
season. Yeah, it’s a lot. It’s a long season, man. Long long long 27 rounds plus finals plus 
origin. Like the brutality, man. That’s it’s just the demands of the game, the quickness of the game 
are more than it’s ever been. Like in my opinion, you know, I think the games need to I like 20 
games. I like 20. You know what I mean? I think we can work with 20, but remains to be seen. I 
guess on the next CBL they’ll sort stuff out. And I don’t know if they’ll ever bring it back. 
It’s like the game’s getting quicker and quicker.   The demands are getting higher and higher, but 
the length of the g of the season still remains the same. Give us more time off or shorten 
the season. Yeah. In my opinion. Um anyway, that’s a debate for another time. Um, so this 
play here from Brian to I want to talk about to uh he makes a a beautiful catch and then carries 
an awesome carry and then the Panthers shift over to the left edge and in basically like an instant 
where the South Sydney are kicking to the corner and competing then just gets flipped on his head 
and then the Panthers end up scoring up the other   end of Casey Mlan. Uh, I thought he had a great 
night. Scored two tries. Dylan Edwards was on fire in this game as well. His support player was 
outstanding. Um, Lewis Dodd, what’s doing there? Can you just get how many minutes he actually 
played on the weekend? Because it wasn’t much. Uh, and obviously South’s 26 26 minutes for Lewis Sto 
on the weekend. He’s just been signed on I think yeah was a three threeear deal over here from the 
Super League. Had a great Super League career at St. Helens. Was signed to South Sydney on what 
I think it was a 650 a year for three years. 650 a year. 650 a year. He’s playing cup has had very 
limited time at South Sydney and South Sydney and reports are that Cody Walker is going to resign 
for one more season who has barely played any games this year due to soft tissue injury and 
Cody Walker’s 35 years old. But it just seems to me that decision to sign Cody’s because they don’t 
trust Lewis Dodd, you know. So, an interesting one to keep an eye on because if they don’t if Lewis 
Do if Lewis Do is not their guy like he he won’t be there for much longer. Like that’s how the 
game works unfortunately. It’s like if you don’t   produce and you don’t play well like you’ll 
be you’ll you’ll be out the back door. Also, South’s got to let him go like you know South will 
have to pay him out. Yeah. Like if 650 if some club says oh we’ll take him on next year but we’re 
only paying 200. South will have to pay 450 for him to go. Yeah. You know, whatever the bill is, 
like the South will have to pick it up. Yeah. So, yeah, one uh one to keep an eye on cuz that’s 
I think going to going to sort itself out down   the road. Uh our man Alex Johnson scored a 
late try off a kick. He’s now five short of uh the alltime record. Does he get it this season? 
Seven games left. Is surely he does. I mean, he might get it in the next two weeks knowing the 
way he scored tries. He could score a hat-tick   next week. you know what I mean? Like the Sharks. 
Yeah. Week. So, it’s going to be one to watch out as well. Uh I feel like the Panthers there, you 
know, we’ve said it for a couple weeks now. The   Panthers are definitely back. Uh the Souths are 
going the other way obviously uh at the moment, but yeah, a good win for for the Panthers who, 
you know, there’s a lot of people talking about   at the moment that they could be the first team to 
win the competition outside the top four. So look, we’ll see what happens there. They’re there 
for sure. They’re there. Next game, Raiders 40,   Eagles 16. Now, no Dylan Brown for the Eagles. 
Named it 18th man by Jason Rolls during the during the week. And then Jason Rolls was asked 
what’s doing there with Dylan Brown. Royals would   then go on to say that if he’s not in the 17, he 
won’t be playing New South Wales Cup or he won’t be doing the blue bib 18th man. Um, what do we 
think of that? Well, this is I mean I spoke on it a fair bit in last week’s podcast. This is 
just the business of the game. When your season is done and over, they’re turning to the future. 
And Rolls has been quoted to say, “Our future is   now.” And Dylan Brown’s not part of that future. 
So, for more reports, Dylan Brown potentially had a chance to go to Newcastle early this year, 
knocked it back to stay at Paramata. I mean,   there’s no doubt Dylan Brown loves playing for 
Paramata. He loves He loves, you know, the blue and gold, the blue and gold army. He loves playing 
for them, but obviously got a deal he could not   knock back in Newcastle. So, it’s a tough time 
for Dylan Brown. I feel like we said last week, he’s a walkup starter for the Kiwis at 5’8. He is 
the best 5’8 in that club, but the business is the business. And this is what I say to all players is 
like, you always need to remember this game is a business. Like, yes, there’s loyalty, yes, there’s 
love, but there is business decisions. And this is a business decision going forward at Paramata. So 
it is uh it’s a little bit hard to watch or hard to see it all play out to be honest. Do you think 
Jason Rolls is doing a disservice to fans by not playing Dylan Brown? Yeah, I I honestly think he 
does. I think Paramea fans would love to see Dylan Brown playing in the 17. Like Dylan Brown loves 
Paramata. He got a deal he could not knock back 10 years 10 million plus. You know what I mean? If 
Dylan Brown went out and played and and played at Paramata, like I know Dylan Brown’s giving it his 
all 100% committed. You can just see the love that Dylan Brown has for Paramata. And I the thing is 
like I spoke about it on the on the pod last week is like I get why Jason Rolls is doing what he’s 
doing because that’s the he’s got the football club and the best interest of the football club at 
the forefront of his mind and that is developing Joash Papalite into a 5A and giving him game 
time in the NRL. But on the other hand, it’s like I’ve got Dylan Brown who’s the New Zealand 
5A like who’s not a part of our future. Look, I know I’m kind of sitting on the fence here, 
but look, I like I said, it’s it’s tough to see and this this is the business of the game and 
it’s happened to me. It’s happened to a lot of   players and it’s just how how it works. Everyone 
sort of learns it. Um anyway, in this game, Jed Jed Stewart scored early for the Raiders. 
Um Hosking scored not too far after. So then   Parah Parah starts bouncing back after that with 
some good plays from Dean Hawkins. Set sets up a try for for GMA. Then Walker makes a nice break, 
but he can’t ice it. Uh Paramea were like having a go for a long time here, especially um but you 
know, they led at Halime. Um uh but Fogerty uh in the second half went to work. He threw some great 
great pills uh in the second half, great passes, and it ended up being all the Raiders in the 
second half. They ended up with 56% possession   of the ball. Nine errors for the Raiders and 16 
for the Eagles. So that kind of plays tells you the tale of how it kind of handled. The 
Raiders have been in single digits for   errors for a long time this season. They’ve 
been really on fire with their ball security and obviously playing that brand of football that 
is just really effective at the moment. Obviously   Fogerty as well doing a great job. But uh yeah, 
well done to the Raiders. They they continue their their great form so far this season. Let’s 
move on to the next game. Bulldogs 20, Dragons 18. Wow. Wow. What a finish. What a finish, man. This 
dogs, you know, bite the bullet this week. They take Sexon out of the team and put Galvin in and 
it was like, this is again a business decision. You know what I mean? The business of the game. 
like Toby Ston like was not playing bad in my opinion. He’s in a team that’s playing really 
well. I guess the dogs haven’t played great over   the, you know, the past couple weeks, but you just 
look at where they are and they’re still notching wins together. The dogs, jeez, they were lucky to 
get away with this. They started off really early.   They you could just tell they’re a little bit off 
in my opinion. I mean they they went into halftime 168 up and the Dragons in the second half after 
I could you just see how animated Shane Flanigan was at halftime talking to his troops and they 
came out and they moved the footy. Dragons just had nothing to lose. They moved the footy around 
and then it ended up with Moses Skoolie. Moses   Sullie scoring his first try of the season. Can 
you believe that? That’s crazy. How does Moses Sullie score? How’s he score his first try 
in round 20 of the NRL? Round 20. Like Bloke Blo’s a bloody barntorming center. Like when he 
gets the ball, he’s unbelievably hard to tackle. Yeah. Surely if we get near the troll line, we get 
the we get the bro more ball. Is that a Is that a   set play decision? Like is that there needs to be 
more plays set up for Sulie? 100%. Yeah. Get get him more get him ball oneonone with space around 
him. Yeah. He can’t. You see, he can’t be tackled. Yeah, he can’t. And for whatever reason, either 
they’re not getting him enough ball or their game plan isn’t around him and moving the ball, but 
he needs more opportunity. Yeah. He’s dangerous. Yeah. You know, and and the the try he scored on 
the weekend just showed that like he he I’d like to speak to I’d like to actually I mean, I don’t 
know Moses Sully, but like if I said to him, mate,   like how do we get you more ball, you know what 
I mean? What what do we need to do? and like what are your thoughts so far this year? He’d probably 
be frustrated as hell if he’s like mate I’ve only   scored one try this year. He’d be he wouldn’t be 
happy with that. Um oneonone he’d be oneonone far out. Bro’s dangerous. Bro’s dangerous. Um but 
then not long after that uh young the winger scored dislocated his shoulder as he scored a 
try. Great try but jeez looked in a fair bit of pain carrying that shoulder. Uh haven’t heard of 
the outcome of that dislocation yet and what the sort of scans may mean, but obviously the Dragon 
Yeah. to be confirmed. To be confirmed. There we go. But obviously the Dragons without Val Holmes 
for the rest of the season as well having a Rota uh rotator cuff surgery uh this week obviously 
out for the season. So the Dragons lose another outside back there potentially. We’ll find out 
what happens with Cion. They were 1816 with 25 minutes to go. So when Cion scores that try, K 
Flanigan kicks the goal from the sideline. The Dragons go up. There’s 25 to go. I’m like, wow, 
there is still an age to go and the Dragons were just they were they were playing well. You know, 
they were completing kicking the ball back to the   dogs. The dogs obviously like to complete high and 
the Dragons were doing a relatively good job. And then the Luchiano Leela penalty for crowding 
the rock. I thought, oh man, I thought that could have gone either way. I was like, I’ve 
seen that. That’s that seems like a loose a loose carry to me. Like Luch was just getting 
up, the ball gets knocked out. I’m like, man,   I thought that was harsh. Do you think it’s cuz he 
moved his foot forward into that space? Yeah, but I don’t know if he just he did move it forward, 
but like he wasn’t meaning to move. It’s just like he was just getting up, but obviously Yeah, he was 
it did move forward getting stable, but it’s like I don’t know. I just thought I might be wrong, but 
I just thought it wasn’t wasn’t a penalty. I mean,   if they called if they called like just I’ve seen 
those go the other way. This 100% I’ve seen them go the other way and that’s that’s what we’re 
talking about consistency. But yeah, for sure   that’s that was tough to take for the Dragons. And 
then ultimately, I mean, it came down to basically the last play of the game. The dogs move it out to 
the right hand, then they shift out to the left. Galvin gets the ball and it was kind of like the 
script was written. He had the ball in his hands, runs this play where he skips across field, 
kick comes under him, and then the left center, the center runs a nice lead inside the opposite 
center. And you can see when Galvin has the ball that Tyrell Sloan makes his decision for him. He 
shoots out of the line and then Galvin sees it and then just pops it over the top. That little 
floating pass over the top. Now look, you got to feel for Tyrell Sloan. Like it’s Tyrell’s had a he 
had a great game in the weekend. I thought he was really solid and I don’t think like Tyrell’s 
allegedly been said that he can, you know, look elsewhere and whatever and but I actually 
think he’s been pretty good. He’d be a great   pickup in my opinion to to bring into a team. Uh I 
know he’ll he’s probably coped a fair bit for that defensive decision and it was the wrong one. Uh 
he went before the ball had left Galvin’s hand. He gave him a queue. He left. Galvin still had 
the ball in his hands and then that made Galvin   throw the pass over the top. Had Tyrone Sloan 
stayed there or Galvin still had the ball. He just stayed. He just stayed. Then if he threw it 
over the top, Sloan would be able to see and he’d be able to just pull back off. But because he went 
before Yeah. gave him that queue. And as a ball   player, if you give me a queue, you know, I’ll 
I’ll it makes my job easier. If you don’t give me a queue, if you stay in the defensive line 
and you just hold your nerve, then you know,   I don’t know. I my options are a bit more limited. 
So that’s the key, is it? key. Patience. It’s the key. Patience. Stay in the line. Work together. 
But if you come out by yourself and try and solve   it while someone else has the ball in their hands 
still, like then I can make my decision from what you do. But if you don’t, then it’s harder for 
me. So yeah, ultimately the Dragons go down uh a game they probably should have won. They’ve 
had three one-point losses this year. That’s a   two-point loss. So they’ve losing a lot of close 
games. And obviously it’s been a a fairly tough season for the Dragons. Where are they sitting 
at the moment, Victor? On the ladder because it   it looks like the season is 11th. 11th. So, six 
points back. So, six back. I mean, mathemat so 18 points. Yeah. 18 points. So, still six points 
back. So, I mean, when we start sort of saying the word mathematically, I mean, it’s not out of 
it. But once you start talking mathematically, it’s like, yeah, mathematically it’s probably 
not going to happen. But um, what do you what do you think about the Bulldogs these last couple 
weeks? Inconsistent. Inconsistent. I think the dogs I think I look at the dogs and I look at 
the Raiders, that’s probably the two top teams   so far this season. And I just see the Raiders 
is kind of cruising, playing well, playing okay, and getting the job done. But I don’t know. I just 
think there’s more pressure on the dogs at the   moment. Like it’s almost like it feels like the 
way the dogs have played and the obviously this the halfback situation and the changes it may have 
affected them. Obviously they got away with it on   the weekend, you know, they got away with it, but 
it doesn’t always happen like that. If um come finals, come finals, you know what I mean against 
really good quality teams, you know, they might not be able to get in those situations. But yeah. 
Do you agree with um Ser’s decision to not have Mani on for 80 minutes? Yeah, I mean I like Mani 
at 80 minutes, but again like this is the business of the game. Man’s had a had one year to go next 
year on his contract. Was asked asked if he was going to get extended or if he could have a look 
around. Got told there was not he could have a   look around. Got a three-year deal at the Cowboys. 
Said I’ve got a three-year deal. They were like, “Yep, you can take it.” Bailey Haywood is getting 
groomed as the starting nine. So that’s why Bailey Haywood is chunking taking those minutes off Mani. 
You reckon that’s the reason it’s not tactical? I don’t think so. I think you think he’s already 
thinking the future. Yeah, I think it’s given B. They like B Howard’s a good player. He is, you 
know, he’s he’s he’s a good player and yeah, Mani is that’s that’s my that’s my take on the 
situation. like an 80 player in my opinion, but you know, I mean, yeah, we’ll see what happens and 
how that kind of plays out. Excuse me. Next game, Seagull 18, Storm 16. Now, you always see these 
two teams having cracker games. Uh, but the Storm were way off in this game in my opinion. They 
completed 67%. Bellamy was not happy in this game. I mean, I’ve never seen him really happy in 
the coaches box to be honest anyway, but this game   would have made him even angrier to be honest. 16 
errors. The Storm had uh some takeaways from this game. Well, I really like Nick Many at fullback. 
Uh obviously no Papenhousen and it got me thinking about the Perth Bears. I think Nick Man’s a good 
fit at the Perth Bears off contract at the end of next season. Could he be a starting fullback for 
Perth Bears? Definitely. I I like it. Nick Mean’s been around a while. He’s a He’s a You call him a 
veteran now. He ran for 221 meters on the weekend. He’s a goal kicker. He can fill in at center on 
the wing. He went to Melbourne for, you know, one of those guys that Bellamy’s done for so long 
where they just bring guys in and just turn them   into consistent NRL players for a long time now. 
It takes a lot obviously for those guys to leave, you know, but I don’t know. I just think Nick 
Mey can play fullback for Perth. I think he’d be a great fit. Well, even Papenhousen’s end of 
contract is 2 26. Yeah, they got Far Longo. Um, that’s an interesting one. Obviously, Far 
Longo is going to be a fullback one day,   you know, needs to be at fullback. So, yeah. But 
anyway, just for for thought, uh, Manley, well, they were dominant. All of their back five ran 
for over 100 meters. Uh, I thought TakiOo and Matt Lodge were actually really solid for them 
up front. Did a fair job. And you could just   see that Manley up for this game. was a big game 
in regards to, you know, their season and how it needs to play out over the back end of the year. 
They completed at 90%. And that’s what you need to   do against the Storm. If you complete higher, you 
give yourself a chance to win the game. The Storm, very rarely do they beat themselves on the 
weekend. I thought they did. 67% completion on 16 errors just says we beat ourselves. And that would 
be probably the most disappointing thing for for Craig Bellamy and the Storm coaching staff. Uh 
but yeah, mainly well they were impressive. Their defense was good uh to come away with an 1816 
win in Melbourne. You just saw what it meant to Jake Dravoyic when he walked in the sheds, didn’t 
we? I mean, if we can get that clip, he walks in,   there’s a b there’s a a cooler bag of like waters 
and power straight in the middle. And Jake, he just walks in just boots the whole thing and he’s 
just so hyped up, so energized. And I was like, I love to see it. It was great. And then Jake doing 
Jake things. He just goes and gets all the bottles and packs it all up after. Cleans up all the mess 
that he just made. But how can you blame him? Just love to see the hype uh and the excitement. And 
that’s what, you know, winning does in the NRL.   It’s the best feeling in the world winning a game 
of NRL with your mates and Jakey Dravoyovich. Yeah, what a game for him. What a game for Manley. 
Well done to them. Let’s move on to the next game, the Sunday games. and the Tigers 21 Titans 
20 at a packed out Lyart Oval. Now look, I was lucky enough to call this game on the radio 
on SEN League with Jimmy Smith and Justin Ho had an absolute ball calling this game. Gosh, it was 
fun. Uh the Titans started in epic fashion with a pill from Jaden Campbell which was absolutely 
beautiful. Uh the long ball was was great. A nice left to right pass over the top. uh for the 
Tigers. Well, Adam Dwey started at lock and what a day he had. First time uh starting at lock. 
Obviously, he’s played multiple positions there   for the Tigers. Still off contract Adam Dwey. 
So, you know, remains to be where he’s where, you know, where he ends up. Uh negotiated his 
last deal himself. So, you know, obviously faced a little bit of adversity with injuries and 
things like that over the past couple of seasons,   but playing he played great on the weekend uh 
for the Titans. Well, in the in the first half, you could just see that the Titans were trying to 
get Brian Kelly some early ball on that left edge   with Foren. They did that really well. Kelly had 
118 meters at Halime. Uh, and you could just see as well the Tigers, well, Benji had a fair spray 
in him at Halime. You could just see the pictures coming out of Fox League where Benji was like, 
he was sitting down, but you could just read his   lips and he was saying the f word like time 
and time again like looking around the room. and post game he would go on to say that he 
thought that was one of his one of their worst   games. They just weren’t up to their standard or 
executing the way that they would have liked. So, um Benji, you could sense a little bit of 
frustration, but the back end of the game,   look, some of the calls I thought for the Titans, 
they I thought they were on the wrong end of some of the calls. I mean, I spoke earlier about the 
Jamon Jolof roll ball. Lu dropped a ball which was a dead set knock on that they missed. Um, Alex 
Twall had a knock on as well. The Titans did not get anything in the second half. The Tigers had 
all that uh field position at the back end of the game and ultimately it came down to that. They 
got all the possession and then they were able to score a try at the end of the game with Skelton 
which then led to Adam Dwey being able to kick had a chance to win the game from the sideline kicking 
into the wind and we’re calling it. He need we   were going left post left post bring it in from 
the left because the wind’s coming left to right and unfortunately for Adam Dewey he missed it out 
to the right but then after that gets a chance to hit a field goal. kicks the ugliest field goal 
ever, but it makes it over and Adam Dwey kicks his first career field goal. The Tigers win it 21 to 
20. Now Dez Hassla, did you see this video after the game? Let’s have a look at it in the sheds. 
And they should be doing a lot better than what   they’re doing at the moment. This is Dez. This is 
shows Dez’s frustration. The players have gone in for the shower. He’s gone, you know, pig’s ass. 
Get out of here. Yeah. Get out of there and mate. I think I think Matty here was blown up cuz have 
a look at I think he’s blown up cuz they’re all   sharing in their undies. That is they can’t be 
doing that. It is a strange phenomenon. Yeah, I mean Dez Hler you can see just a lot of 
frustration there and the boys um in the naughty books in the bad books there. Uh yeah, 
Desi obviously under a fair bit of chair measure at the moment with uh you know how the Titans are 
going. obviously sitting last on the ladder at the moment, which is which is not great. And um 
yeah, what I spoke yesterday on the radio about the Titans and and them probably needing to find a 
bit more of their identity, I feel. Um which look, I I I would thought the Titans were going to win 
yesterday. They they could have they you know   Yeah, I got some some calls were on the I thought 
they were on the wrong end of them and in the the back end of that game, but they could have easily 
won that game is what I’m trying to say. So yeah, obviously disappointing for them. Uh let’s move 
on to the last game. Warriors 20 Nights 15. Wowee, Lea Halisima. You be saying that name for a 
while. We’re going to be saying this name for the next 15 years. This guy. Wow. Oh my gosh, 
you’re my favorite Warriors player. Helisimma. Love the name. Love the hairstyle. Love the grin. 
Love the way he plays. Man, what a play. What a play. Warriors had a great start in this game. 
The Knights came back. I mean, let’s just talk   about the finish of this game. All right, don’t 
even worry about the game. It all comes down to the clutch. The clutch. I got to leave a couple 
of notes here, but let’s just like Tanner Boyd, you know, who’s been filling in for Luke Mechaf. 
I thought he’s actually done a really a solid job   um in this game. Had a chance to win the game with 
a kick. You know, go for the field goal. Hastings is called offside at marker. Tanner Boyd gets a 
kick from in front to what looks like he’s just going to nudge it over. Hooks it left and then 
they go for a drop goal. Charge down. Halisima stays on side, gets the ball and just scores from 
30 out. steps past Dan Gaga carries two guys over the try line. Good night. It’s good night after 
that. Halisma, what a play. What a play. What a player. Yeah, I mean this guy is like I’d love to 
know a bit more of his story like where he come from. Yeah. Where he’s from, where he grew up. If 
someone knows like what junior club did he play   for with uh you know in Oakuckland because 
man I I I just love this guy. Um, you know, and the Knights, well, this is I this would be 
absolutely devastating for them. They they’ve   been obviously under a lot of a lot of pressure 
at the moment. Obviously, you know, rumors kind of swirling around their coach and his future, but 
obviously Ken Ponger as well, which is he’s been, you know, he’s committed his future, you know, to 
20 to 27, but devastating for the Knights. His uh his birthplace, he’s actually Tongen. Yep. I I 
knew he was Tongen. Uh so his uh junior club was the Otu Leopards. Otto Leopards. Otto. Yeah. Say 
who? Yeah. Yeah. Them boys. Od who in Oakuckland. Yeah. In Oakuckland. Yeah. Great. Od who Leopards. 
Who Leopards. That’s awesome man. Look what what a gun he is. Uh a great win for the Warriors who you 
know when you’re having a good season that’s kind of what happens. You know you you just find a way 
to win and the Warriors are doing that obviously.   you know, no metaf, so you know, they’re obviously 
under no chance as well. No chance to peek did a good job for them. So, yeah, look, a great win for 
the Warriors and they get away with there. Webster said in the postgame press conference, “Look, 
we’ll take we’ll take it.” You know what I mean?   And that’s what you do. You take the win, you move 
on. At the end of the year, look, it’s either a W or it’s an L in that column. Doesn’t really 
matter. W or L. And as long as you get the W, that is all that matters. And obviously that 
uh that play by Alicas Halisima being a rookie takes us into the next segment which is our top 
five rookies of the NRL this season. Now look uh there’s a few names here which are absolutely 
killing it so far this year and we’re going to   start off with number five. Owen Patty from the 
Camber Raiders. Look, the crafty hooker has come on in leaps and bounds so far this year. His 
kicking game is on point. His short passing game on point. His running game, look, I think this 
kid has the full bag of tricks as a hooker. And I think he’s a long-term option for the Raiders 
so far. I really like his short kicking game,   which you don’t see a lot of hookers kicking very 
often on the weekend. I know he’s played a bit of a limited role, you know, with Staling playing 
majority of the chunky minutes for the Raiders, but Owen Patty looks to be a bright spark for 
this Raiders team. Has been really, really nice so far this season. Number four, Isaiah Oi for 
the Paramea Eels. obviously got the start and the nod at fullback this season when the Paramea Eels 
decided to move on from Clint Guth. They brought in Isaiah from the Panthers has come in and I 
know Paramea have had a rough season but he’s been a bright spark for me. I’ve really like the 
way he plays his football. He’s dangerous. He’s   got a great run on him, great footwork and also 
his passing game to me is is great. So for someone who is still young in this game, still growing, 
still learning, I think he’s going to be a massive   massive part of Paramea’s future. So, it’ll 
be great to see how he develops. Number three, I’ve got Mark Nanga Nitawasi. Now, this is crazy 
when you’re talking about a rookie in the NRL because Mark’s obviously Mark’s played for the 
Wallabies, but he’s still classed as a rookie in the NRL because of the amount of games that 
he has played. And Marky Mark, man, what a what a what a season he’s putting together. the tries 
he’s been able to score, the footwork, he creates opportunities for other people, the flick passes, 
the kick he did the other week when he kicked it, came back out in the air, came back and scored. 
Like, he’s been so impressive, Mark. So, uh, he’s at number three. Number two, I’ve got Rob 
Toya. Made his Queensland deboo after just playing 12 NRL games. Bobb’s been absolutely killing 
it this season. His footwork is dynamic, but   the thing that impresses me the most about Bobby 
is his defense. He one-on-one defensively, you don’t really see him get beat, and I think that’s 
why Billy Slater called him up and he was he made his Queensland deuce. So, Bobby has been elite for 
the Sydney Rooers so far this season and obviously Queensland as well. And number one, our man Lea 
Halisima. The number one rookie so far this season goes to Lea. Look, absolute beast Lea Halisa. 
what he did on the weekend was insane. And he’s done that time and time again. Like this kid, he’s 
so athletic. Look, he could play in the centers,   in the back row, in the forwards. He always plays 
the game with a big smile on his face. He looks like he’s having the best time of his life and 
just absolutely killing it. So, you love to see it. The Warriors local product from Odoo doing an 
absolute great job. Some honorable mentions here as well. Obviously Jamie Humphre, which you know, 
he’s been in and out with with some injuries,   but had a great season uh for South Sydney. Hus 
Stewart from the Dragons as well. I feel like he’s had a really solid season as a Dragons youngster. 
And the Dragons have a lot of young forwards, a lot of youngsters, you know, who uh I feel 
going to grow. And I think the Dragons, yeah, they’re having a tough season so far this year, 
but I think they’re going to be okay over the next   couple seasons as these youngsters kind of develop 
and and um get more game time in the NRL. Uh let’s move on. Big footy guy of the week. Uh our three 
nominations so far this week, uh Dylan Edwards, two tries, one try assist, 11 tackle breaks, two 
line breaks, 34 runs for 305 m. That is just an insane stat line from Dylan Edwards. He was great 
on the weekend in their win against South Sydney. Ethan Strange again, our second nomination. 
one try, one try assist, eight tackle breaks, two line breaks, and one line break assists 
for Ethan Strange, who’s been on fire and just absolutely killing it. And our last nomination for 
big footy guy of the week. Well, jeez, he’s been   in our last three segments in a row. Lea Halisimma 
game-winning try, six tackle breaks, 31 tackles. He was insane. Obviously, that clutch clutch 
run from him to uh to seal the game. Uh Victor, let’s go. Fan questions. Fan questions. Who do 
you think will win the grand final this year? Look, at the moment, I mean, it’s hard to 
go past the Camber Raiders. I mean, yeah, they’re they obviously been in the top four all 
season, but I think I just think the style of football they’re playing at the moment, the 
completion, the limited errors they make,   uh the camaraderie they have in their 
squad, the balance they have as a team. I like the Raiders and then if I’m a betting man, 
which I’m not, I would be I’d probably be taking the Raiders right now. Yeah, love it. What do you 
think is holding the Cowboys back from success? Good question. Uh, what do I think? I mean, 
they’ve had a stack of injuries so far this year, the the Cows. You I mentioned before their 
injuries to their forwards, their middles, you know, they’re they’re very light on middles at 
the moment. the obviously Jace has missed a lot of   footy through injury. Mack is out at the moment. 
Yeah, I mentioned Sam McIntyre is out. There’s a lot of experience in those three guys. And when 
those three guys are playing, they’re a much   better team. Um ultimately, I think it’s come 
down to their defense. Like they’re they’re a great attacking football team, but their defense 
probably just hasn’t been where it needs to be to be a consistent, you know, top eight team. Uh 
which is disappointing. I mean, like I’m a I’m a C fan. I love watching the boys play. I want them to 
have success, but yeah, it’s it’s tough, you know, when your when your mates, they, you know, don’t 
have the success, you know, you feel like they   should. So, I think I think it comes down to their 
defense because I know they’re attacking team. They can score points. They got some dangerous 
threats in their football team, but defensively,   they probably just haven’t been up to their 
standards so far this year. And that’s probably what I think has been the most frustrating thing 
for their coaching staff and the playing staff and the players as well. Love it. Uh, Blum, Blum, Blum 
Camp, Spit it out, mate. Yeah, far out. This one’s a high one. Blum Camp says, “Big Chad Towns and 
Guy shirts, please.” Uh, yeah. Okay. All right. I got you. Big Chad Big Chad Townzen guys shirts. 
Yeah. All right. Let’s get We’re going to get some podcast merch. Actually, we’re going to do that. 
We’ll do that. We’ll come up with it. Yeah. All   right. I like that. Next question. Uh, how do you 
rate Brent Reed as an NFL fantasy commissioner? Who asked this question? Uh, Carianis. 
Michael Kianis. All right. Yeah. Brent Reed, absolute garbage commissioner. NFL 
fantasy. Brent Reed is a journalist, goes on 360 and all them shows and writes stories 
and but he cannot manage an NFL fantasy season. and I played one season with him last year, a 
couple of jouros and a couple of other players   and it was the most boring season I’ve ever 
been a part of. We like we drafted and then it’s like you draft your team, you draft every 
player that’s ever that can be drafted and then   you just leave it and like you don’t trade, 
there’s no trades, there no waiverss, there’s no nothing. And I’m like this is the most boring 
thing I’ve ever been a part of like Brent Reed   like what’s actually doing? So I wrote something 
in the WhatsApp the other day. I said I’m out. If you don’t change the rules about wave waiverss 
and trades and everything like that, I’m out. Like   this is boring. This is as boring as a Brent Reed, 
Michael Carian column in the paper on the weekend when they write about their stories about footy. 
They know that. I’ I’ve said that to them. So, what’s it go with no waiverss? Yeah, I don’t 
know. In a draft, Bren Reed, what’s actually   doing like it’s boring. Change it. Yeah. What 
he’s doing there? Yeah. Um, yeah. Ready? No. All love. All love. Ready? All love. upset. Upset 
when you’re Don’t spray me on the Don’t spray me. All right, next question. Do you reckon Herby 
is worth 1 mil a year? Jeez, I saw this over the weekend. Herby Farmorth, the $1 million price 
tag getting talked about. Do I think he’s I mean, 1 million is a lot for a center. Gosh. Uh maybe 
I’d have him at Yeah. Uh uh maybe 900 850 900 maybe not a a mill is like gosh mill is a lot. 
It’s like KP money. Yeah, that’s a lot of money man. I mean if he gets it like good on him but 
yeah I mean he’s up there. He’s a good quality player. He’s a good player, you know, but far out. 
You just don’t hear the Millie get chucked around the a lot. Hey. No. And it’s going to the the next 
five years as the CBA goes up, there’s going to be   more guys on the Millie. Yeah. Which is going to 
be great to see. Uh biggest differences between the NRL and the Super League. And why do you 
think the NRL is thought to be superior? Oh, this is a no-brainer. The the the consistency of 
the players, the game, I mean the Super League, like I I am a massive fan of the Super League, 
but I think the top five top four or five teams   like you, you know, your Wigan, Warrington, uh St. 
Helen’s uh who else is there? Uh probably Hulk KR uh maybe Catalan maybe in there in the five. Um 
you know then you got Hull FC as well. You know the top the difference between the top teams 
to the bottom teams is the gap is like far too big where in the NRL like literally you know 17th 
16th position could beat first place. like the the players are just as good, the coaching is just as 
good, you know, everything’s the consistency is a lot less. So, I feel like that’s probably why the 
NRL I mean the NRL has more money, more resources, more eyeballs, more fans than the game in 
England. But look, I’m I’m a fan of the Super League. I’m not putting the Super League down. 
All I’m saying is that the there’s a discrepancy   from the top teams to the bottom teams where it’s 
probably just not like that as much in the NRL. Uh, last question. Who’s put the biggest 
shot on you throughout your career? Um, gosh, I haven’t really caught too 
many big shots to be fair. Uh,   it’s hard to bring any off the top of 
my head. I got folded once at the cows. Someone picked me up and dropped me. Um, Junior 
S pumped me when I was younger. Uh, pause. Huh? Junior. I mean, maybe I should use a different 
word, but um yeah. Uh I don’t know. Yeah, I’ve been I’ve been hit a few times, but 
it’s hard to bring them off the top of my   head to be honest. You just forget about 
them. Put them out your brain. Yeah. It’s not like a career highlight. Like I’m not like 
I’m not like remembering that like I’m talking   about like I don’t know a try I’ve scored or 
something like that. Yeah. Or win we’ve had. Yeah. I love it. Yeah. That’s it. All right. 
Thank you, Victor. And thank you everyone for   tuning in to today’s episode episode. If you 
enjoy the podcast, make sure you subscribe, drop us a comment, like. We really appreciate 
all of that stuff. We’ll see you guys on the next