QLD coach pinpoints reason for 'DISAPPOINTING' loss: Billy Slater Podcast - Ep15

Hello everyone, welcome to the Billy Slider podcast, thanks to Ram Trucks and the great man is on the line with us now. Hello Bill G'day Levy, how are you mate? Very well geez thinks hotting up in the NRL, tough round tipping wise as far as some of the upsets go, which we'll get to in just a second but look everyone tunes into the podcast. What are your thoughts on things? State of origin #2 at the MCG, great atmosphere, 90,000 people at the MCG. But. But obviously not the result you wanted. Yeah, I wish I had selective memory loss, but unfortunately it's stuck firmly in the memory. And it was a disappointing night for for all us Queenslanders. That first half was, yeah, well beaten by better side, you know, better performance. And, you know, NSW were, were a shade off perfect. And you know, we, we had 30% possession, they had 70. And that's something that we need to really look at and work out ways to have an even share a possession. What what do you say to a team at half time? And when you're a coach and you're down 34 NIL, especially at an origin level, what can you say? And one thing I will point out is whatever you said worked because there was a response in the second-half and the Maroons ended up winning the second-half. Yeah, I suppose that was a positive. And and you can always find a positive in in any situation. And, you know, for the guys to rally at half time and and go out and build a little bit of pressure, you know, earn a little bit of football. And and the other thing is, is, is earn a bit of discipline as well. You know, that first half an hour was six nil down on the penalty count And and that's just not acceptable. We need to find out what work out ways to be more disciplined. And they did that in the second-half and you know, they got a little bit of their footy on. So it's hard to get over that first half. But if you're looking for a positive, the second-half the the guys, you know, rallied and and hung in there and then never gave up. What it does do, Billy, it sets up a mouth watering clash at Suncorp Stadium in a couple of weeks time. Bring on the decider. Queensland has a chance to make it three in a row. NSW has a chance to create its own legacy at Suncorp Stadium, which has become such an intense part of the Origin history. Yeah, I could imagine the next 16 days is going to be used as a as a build up and it's it's incredible, isn't it? They're very similar score lines in game one and two. So you know, both teams will will look to rally. Obviously NSW coming off that impressive game in in game two, they'll be nice and confident and you know, we need to pick ourselves up off the canvas. And in 16 days time there is a decider at the home state of Origin, where it all started at Lane Park, Suncorp Stadium. And there'll be 17 Queenslanders, 17 New South Welshman going out there to to do their best for their state and the build up's going to be incredible and I can imagine the game's going to replicate that. I say to people I know, Billy, that if you've never been to a State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium, you've got to put it on the bucket list because the atmosphere and the electricity around the ground is anything unlike anything I've ever experienced before. What's it like as a player, given that you wore the number one jumper for Queensland, You've played in that arena, The intensity. I heard Paul Gallant say on the weekend, you can't actually hear what your team mates are saying on the field. How difficult is that and what's it like as a player at Suncorp Stadium? It's pretty difficult when you're, when you're actually in a position standing 30 meters behind everyone trying to communicate to them. So you've got to communicate in different ways. But it, it's, it's a feeling, it's an emotion and, and they're the feelings that stick with you forever. The, the parts of the game come and go that I, that I remember, but but the feeling stays with you, the feeling in the sheds before you run out and then that running out into the cauldron and the noise and the, the tingles that you feel throughout your body. That's what both teams are going to feel. And you know, for the Queenslanders, it's going to be a lot of support. And the one thing that we really need to focus on as as a staff and a playing group is, is that we get our footy on and that we start Well, you know, we we earn our football and we go and work hard for it because, yeah, if we don't, the, the crowd won't have as much feeling in it as as if we do have the footy and and we do play our game one more and then we'll move on to the National Rugby League. I'm not going to push you on any changes because you've made it clear over the years we've been working together. Nothing is certain until you actually sit down and name that team and there's plenty of footy to be played. But the other thing that you've pointed out to me in the past is that you're very mindful of players and their well-being. And we're all thinking of Xavier Coats at the moment. He's going to miss State of Origin three in a bit of time for the Melbourne Storm. So hopefully he's doing OK after picking up a hamstring injury on the weekend. Bill Yeah. And and you could see he was visually dejected, you know, walking down the tunnel at Amy Park on on Saturday night And and I was sitting at home watching it, feeling for him because I know how hard he's worked. He's he's had an incredible pre season. He's worked so hard throughout the season. And I was actually at a a training session throughout the pre season at Melbourne where he actually did his hamstring. I'm pretty sure it's the same one. I'm I'm not exactly sure, but and, and he was very emotional, You know, when he did it, he he worked so hard. He's such a great person, Xavier and he's going to miss a a fair chunk of the season. Now he's he's obviously going to miss the decider. So now in terms of changes, you know, there's, there's going to be at least one force change there. The guys have got to play another round of football this weekend. And you know, I'd imagine all the Origin players from both sides would would be back in their teams this weekend. So looking forward to watching the round of football and then sitting down with with Darren Lockyer and Gene Miles on Sunday night and and building Queensland's best team to to go into this decider. 2 great Queenslanders, Darren Lockyer and Gene Miles there fantastic. Let's before we move away from Origin, congratulate the QLD Marines women's team. Billy look, it wasn't the the greatest game of footy. The decided a lot of drop ball, a lot of penalties, wet conditions, but the QLD marines create history winning the first three-game series. Yeah, and had to do it off the back of losing game one as well. And and I thought NSW, the girls were were incredible in that first game. I just think QLD adapted to the conditions a lot better in game two and three. It was torrential rain in Newcastle and then the exact same conditions up in Townsville and and they just played the simple game better. You know, it's Atani Norris and and Ellie Briganshaw, the the coach and the captain. They've done a great job leading this side and showed a whole heap of Queensland spirit in in their series win. And it's the first series win where it involves three games. So I'm sure the girls will be pretty proud. I know the state's very proud of them and they'll hold the shield for 12 months. Yeah, congratulations to the QLD Maroons women's side. Let's move to the NRL. Billy and I was just having a look here on my phone at the NRL ladder. You got the Storm 4 points clear on top of the ladder, Panthers, Sharks second and third on 24, Roosters 4th on 22 points. The real logjam in the middle of that ladder at the moment. And the race is on for spots in the finals. And Gee, there were some upsets over the course of the weekend, weren't they mate? Yeah, just looking at it myself, from 4th to 12th they're they're they're within a one game win of each other. So 4th is on 20 points and 12th is on 18 points. So it is, it is a tight race. What are we 10 games before the finals? You know, there's only a couple of weeks of origin period to go and and then everyone will be looking to to get their squads nice and healthy and, and start their run towards the finals. It, it is one thing ladder position and that that's, that's an important part of the finals. But you're going to be playing your best football at the right time and with so many injuries to keep players at the moment from a lot of clubs, they'll be looking at to be nice and healthy and playing their best football at the right time. I, I just get the feeling that, you know, if you finish in that top eight, you, you're a real chance of, of going deep into the finals if you're nice and healthy. Well, Speaking of injuries, one of those injured superstars in the game is Tom Traboyevich, who will be back this week for Manly. The coach, Anthony Sebolder, said we're going to start him in the centers, going to play him in the centers rather than full back. But geez, he's he's been through a lot, hasn't he, with his body letting him down. I can't imagine what it's like mentally and physically to get yourself back up to to go again. But let's hope he finishes the year strongly. Tom Triboyovich for the Manly Sea Eagles Bill, yeah, if you if you think that you get resilience from going through hard times, Tom Triboyovich, Ryan Papenhaus and those sort of players, they're going to be some sort of resilient human being by the time they finish their NRL career. And we all know the person that Tom is and he's a great person and it's great to see him back on the field. And the Manly Sea Eagles and Anthony Seboll obviously feel that the centre position is a great starting point. I wouldn't be surprised if, if he's nice and healthy a month before the finals that he that he slips back into that full back role. I think he'll, he'll get a few reps in the centres and he might even interchange with Lehigh Hopwati, you know, at some stage, you know, throughout games in the in the next month or so. So he we, we know he's a top line fullback. He's a top line player and you just want him involved in the game. And it's just good that he's back in the game. He's had a a horrid run with injury and I know what that feels like both physically and mentally. So, you know, I wish him all the best. Is it one of those things, Billy, does it do injuries play on your mind when you come back? I mean, you, you suffered some injuries throughout your career. Is it one of those things where you got to try and block it out of your mind and just go out there and do it? Given you're playing such an explosive physical game? Does it does it right on the mind or not? I think everyone's different. For me, it didn't for me, I was, I had the attitude that, you know, once I crossed that white line, you know, I'm, I'm the teams and my body's the teams. And if it breaks, it breaks I'm, I'm all in. So that that was my mindset once I come back from injury, I was, I've done the work and I'm, I'm healthy enough to play. I've got to go and commit myself to, to the team in the game. But it it probably depends on on what sort of injuries. I didn't have too many hamstring injuries. You know, I had one hamstring injury in my last year, But so that might be a little bit different. But yeah, I suppose everyone's different in that aspect. OK, well, let's whip through the games. We started off on Friday night. It was a golden point thriller in the end. The Canterbury Bulldogs been in the Cronulla Sharks 1514 Matt Burton third time lucky he stepped up in golden point extra time to get them home. And this this revival of the Bulldogs continues and that dogs of war mentality is really starting to shine through. Bill hasn't Matt Burton got a boot on him. He, he hit a couple of nice and sweet from 4050 out and didn't get the accuracy right, but he, he got the distance and, and the one that he actually kicked was probably from 35 meters out, 40 meters out. And he just tapped it. He, he probably hit it 60% and it just went straight through the, the upright, actually hit the upright and went through. But yeah, a wonderful performance from the Bulldogs. They're, they're, they're scrapping, they're fighting, they're desperate. The one thing they're getting right is their defence and they've got the second best defence in the competition. Only the three time premiers, and we all know that they pride themselves on on their defence, have conceded more points, less points than than the Bulldogs. So Cameron Seraldo is is taking a hard edge to the Bulldogs. I feel they're still lacking a little bit of quality, especially in and around key positions to, to to score top line points. But that'll come, that'll come over development, that'll come over recruitment and they're getting the basics of the game right at the moment and that's why they're sitting in the top eight. And I'm sure they're focusing on one foot in front of the other and, and, and just chipping away. But wouldn't it be something if the Bulldogs can make the finals this year? Unbelievable, an incredible turn around. The Broncos decided to rest their Origin players and the Warriors got them in New Zealand on Saturday, winning the match 32 points to 16. The Warriors looked like the best team in the competition at stages throughout games. And you know, the way they start games is incredible though. You know, there were three tries to nil, you know, in the opening 20 minutes. And you know, they did it against Melbourne as well a couple of weeks ago where they just blew them away early and then then they just fell away. So consistency for the Warriors is really important for them to focus on. I'm sure Andrew Webster is is touching on those sort of things because their best is is really good. I thought their two halves were good and Chanel Harris to rip to Vida and Tomato Martin, they got their defence right. And yeah, I I thought they were, they were good. In the absence of Sean Johnson, the Broncos had an opportunity with 15 minutes to go. They they were within striking distance. So they rallied and they fought hard. You know, no Origin players backed up and you know, they're they're a team that are just waiting to be healthy, waiting for this period to to be over and get all their stars back. Adam Reynolds being one. I think once they get him back, he'll control a lot more and and put him in good field positions. And yeah, that'll help their defence out. So I wouldn't be right in the Broncos off just yet another sell out crowd at Newcastle McDonald Jones Stadium to watch the Knights beat the Eels 34 points to 26. I love the rawness from some players. Did you see the interview with Will Price after the grain dropped a couple of F bombs, he apologised. I love a bit of rawness from from young blokes and good on him. He had a great debut. 1 to remember. Yeah, just lucky. You can't understand what he says. So he's you know what he, he, he, he, he played enthusiastic as well. He played like he interviewed. So he supported, he scored a nice try and it was great to see his, his father and, and family in the, in the grandstand. Leon Price was a great Super League player, a great Englishman that, that played the game for a long period of time. And that, that would have been that'll be a moment that, that not just will, but, but Leon, the whole family will remember forever because you only get to play your debut once. And, and what a moment it was in front of a, a packed house. It was the, it was the entertaining game of the weekend for me. I sat back and I watched it and I was just I was entertained and I thought Mitchell Moses was great for the Parramatta Eels showed great speed to score a couple of tries and you know, they looked the winners at at certain points, but you know, they showed plenty of heart. The Newcastle Knights and off the back of three losses they they need to they needed to rally still without their their staff fullback and captain Callum Ponger. And yeah, they're doing a good job. They're they're fighting hard and they're keeping in touch just on the way to the next game. Amy Park in Melbourne, which has a seagull problem. There's a seagull problem at the MCG too. I noticed at Origin when I was down there you wouldn't because you were focused on what was going on. Did you ever have any issues with seagulls in your days playing rugby league at AB Park as a Melbourne Storm fullback? Did they get in your way? No, never, never. You've seen them on the racecourse a few times where they're all on the track and then then they fly off right in front of the horses. So there's a bit of an issue there, but they've been there for a long time. The MC GS not far from AB Park. So I'm going to say that they're the same seagulls. They're everywhere. Sure, but they might be I think it was an Alfred Hitchcock movie, wasn't it? The Birds. They're coming to swoop it everywhere. Melbourne Storm beat the Raiders 16 points to six. Amy Park. They got there the Storm, but it was a a hard fought win. Yeah, it was. They're doing a good job. The Melbourne Storm. I, I know that I, I played for him and then, you know, I've got the Melbourne Storm, you know, within my blood. And, but they, if you saw the coaches box, there was just as many players in the coaches boxes there. There was on the sideline, you know, waiting to get on the field. And you had Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Ron Pappenhaus and Jonah Pezzett that they had some quality players sitting in the coaches box. And one of those key position players was out on the field. And I thought he was, he was super. And I'll, I'll probably give him an award a little bit later in this podcast. But Jerome Hughes is just he's the glue to that team at the moment. Craig Bellamy has done a wonderful job with some of the younger guys coming in, Brent Anderson, Jack Howarth, you know, they're, they're all filling in a position and they're all doing a great job. So the development of the the club is, is in good hands. But other Jerome Hughes was he, he was the man and controlled things. They had a fair bit of ball. So the Raiders did a great job to hold them out for a for a long period of time. But yeah, the class just prevailed and it was a tough old game. It was very greasy conditions down in Victoria. And yeah, the Melbourne Storm, they just, they just keep climbing that ladder and now they've got that buffer of two wins at the top of the ladder. They're sitting pretty. Some encouraging signs too for the Dragons Bill. They had a milestone game with Shane Flanagan notching up his 200th game as an NRL coach and they played at Cogger and knocked off the Dolphins and Wayne Bennett by 26 points to six. Yeah, didn't score a try in the first half, but did a lot of work and and they defended well, that's one thing that the the Dragons are doing well at the moment is they're defending and you know the Dolphins are getting a fair bit right. So you know, they don't sit on the ladder where they are for no reason. So to actually hold them to one try is is the great achievement hold them try less in the second-half. So they're they're doing a fair bit right. Shane Flanagan and his coaching staff at at the Dragons. And yeah, I'm sure there's a bit of a feeling around that club at the moment. We moved to the North Queensland Cowboys in Penrith Panthers. I read into you out there yesterday, Bill, you're on television duties. I was on radio duties half time. Little toiley break for the pair of us. The Cowboys beat the Panthers 16 points to six. I think you were one of them people that gave the Cowboys a chance and they upset the reigning premiers. Yeah, yeah, I did. Obviously, you know, the outs to Penrith are huge outs, but there were there were plenty of stars out for the Cowboys. The the two inclusions that I thought that the Cowboys could really get an advantage was the half back Chad Townsend and he's kicking game and and the full back Scott drink water. He's he's just a classy player and you know, I could see some points in him. It was a it was a wet, cold, windy afternoon in Penrith. I was lucky I was in the commentary box next to yourself there, Mark. So we were nice and toasty up in up in the box. But the the great thing that the Cowboys got right is they they went there with a physical mindset. They went there with a great attitude to to work really hard and defend their way to victory. We knew what we're going to get from the Panthers. There was probably a few more mistakes in the Panthers game than normally would, given the the continuity of positions and, and players, But the Cowboys just outworked them. They they played field position. They didn't always have field position. And, and when they didn't have it, they defended their try line. They went down to 12 men twice. So they spent 20 minutes of the game, you know, defending with 12 men and, you know, only conceded one try. So I'm sure Todd Payton will look back on this game with fond memories. He'll he'll use this game to celebrate some actions and some attitudes within their team and they go back to Townsville with two points and and a valuable 2 points because it puts them inside the 8. Now we move to the game to wrap up round 17, the Roosters dumping the West tigers by 40 points to six. Flanno had his two hundredths. Trent Robinson had his 300th and they delivered the coach a 40 points to six win over the tides. And there'll be 201 and 301 when they play each other. And I think there's already been some barbs fly from from Shane Flanagan in the post match press conference said this one's been circled and they've already spoken about it. So that's going to be a beauty on Sunday. Avvo, the Roosters, the Roosters are just cruising. They they're a footy team. Joey man who picked up a hand injury, a wrist injury or something that didn't look too good as he left the field. So they'll probably wait eagerly to see how how bad that is. But. You just look across their footy team and they've just got quality all over it. And you know, two wingers scored two tries each. Their key position players are playing well. Sammy Walker's, you know, just really crafty, looking for opportunities going down short sides. And yeah, they're, they're a footy team up. They're going to take some beating this year. Yeah, they certainly are. So that's a look at round #17 of the National Rugby League. There was a bizarre incident in the NSW Cup. Big, big red, Corey Osborough, hot dog Osborough, I think they call him. He got sent off. There were two of the Warriors players who got set off. Look, I'm a fellow redhead. We do get fiery. But Corey, come on, bro, just settle down. Yeah, settle down. Yeah. Look, had a little bit to do with Corey last year. He he's a great person. We all know he plays with emotion. He's a very emotional type of guy. He hasn't had a a great year. He he's been injured, he's been suspended. He hasn't spent much time in first grade. And you, you couple that with a bit of frustration in a game and I, I don't know the, the scenario or what, what happened within the game, but yeah, it's not, it's not a good look. And hopefully Corey's OK because like I said, he, he plays with his heart on his sleeve. And it's been a really tough year for him that, you know, sometimes those frustrations come out in, in ways that you, you regret. And I'm sure he's probably sitting there regretting, you know, the way that he expressed his frustrations. And as a fellow redhead, we've been victimised our entire lives. So, Corey, I've got your back, bro. This is the Billy Slater podcast. We do it for Ram trucks. We'll come back with the questions, the awards and look ahead to round 18. We move to the Billy M Awards after 17 rounds of the competition. Each week we'll get Billy's best team and the player of the round voting has gone behind closed doors. We're keeping a track of the votes. Are we OK? Fair enough. Most impressive team from round 17, Billy? Do they go behind closed doors after we are expressed them publicly? Yes, exactly. I get OK. OK, all good. What was it? The team of the week? Team plays? Yes. Team of the week of the Roosters. Yeah. I just thought they were really impressive. They were ruthless. They they didn't give the Tigers too much and they just applied pressure to them. So Roosters for me, the team of the week. What about your player of the round? Yeah, down in Melbourne, little Jerome Hughes. Like I said, you know, all these sidekicks were sitting up in the coaches box next to Craig Bellamy and he was out there doing it all on his own. Obviously the the guys that have been coming in have done a great job. Josh King's been fantastic. But Jerome Hughes, he's steering the ship and he's the player of the week. All right, we moved to a couple of listener questions. We've touched on Mick's question, I suppose briefly relating to Origin. He says hi Billy. I thought Queensland did a really good job in the second-half to stop the NSW onslaught and win the half. Eighteen points to four. Is that a positive you'll be looking at going into game #3 that one from Mick? Yeah. We won't be glossing over, you know, what happened in the first half. It's it's really important not to sweep that under the carpet. It's not just purely forget that. So we need to work out, you know, what we need to do better in, in that aspect. But then at the same time have a look at that second-half and, and go, well, what did we get right there? So yeah, I suppose it's a positive. We moved to James. Hey Billy, after Will Price's debut over the weekend, it got me thinking, who is the best English player that you've played with or against? And do you think we'll see more Super League players come over to the National Rugby League? Oh, that's that's a really good question and one that I haven't really, really thought about. It's actually, it makes me a little bit sad saying this, that one of the toughest players and one of the best players that I've ever played against in England is is the late Rob Burrow. Passed away only recently with motor neurone disease, the same disease that Carl Webb had. But I was fortunate enough to to play in three World Club challenges against Leeds and you know, three times against Rob Burrow he was, he was dead set 5 foot tall. But as tough as they came. Reminded me a little bit of Matt Orford where he was just short but very courageous, the way he ran the footy, the way he defended. And then that showed in his fight against the, the terrible disease that he he had a battle with. And you know, I suppose I, I take this opportunity to send my love and support and thoughts. Condolences to the Burrow family and all his friends and and family over in the UKI know Kevin Sinfield is is a huge support and friend, probably class himself as family towards him. And now they're gone through a tough time at the moment. So, yeah, not just, you know, one of the best players that I've played against, one of the courageous men that I've I've witnessed on a rugby league field and then and then beyond that, yeah. Beautiful tribute, Billy. Beautiful stuff, mate. And of course, to those people listening, if you'd like to ask Billy a question, you can send them through Billy [email protected] dot AU. Billy Slater podcast at 9:00 dot com dot AU. Let's look ahead to round 18. Eels, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers, Bulldogs, Warriors, Roosters, Dragons, they're all still to come round #18 yeah, the the two that really stick in mind, Roosters, Dragons, they're like I said, the fuse has already been lit there for that one. And the Friday night game on Channel 9, that that's going to be a beauty. All the Origin stars back, Panthers, Broncos up at Suncorp Stadium. We all know what happened in October last year. And with all those stars back, that's gonna be 1 to tune in for. Hmm. Certainly will be. By the way, just out at Penrith yesterday, did you get some of the boxes of the shapes for the kids at home? I did. Well, OK, did you get them too? There were Nacho cheese shapes. There were BBQ shapes. There were Xbox controller shapes. Daryl, I had three packets of chicken. Chicken crimpies. It's really chicken crimpies for me. Yeah. Well, are we sponsored by Shapes now? Well, I, well, this is the reason why I'm bringing it up. I'm calling on a lifetime supply of Shapes for the Slater family. Oh, OK. OK. It's only a raw. If you're not in. I'm just trying to help you. Just helping the the podcast out. Just channel 9. Am I doing helping a Queenslander? I want them. I'm a heap. Anyway, Billy, enjoy the weekend of footy. We'll see you on the telly. And we look forward to State of Origin 3, the decider in Brisbane. Thanks so much out. See ya out. See ya and bring on some shapes. Thanks very much for your company. This has been the Billy Slater podcast. We do it thanks to Ram trucks. Go Queensland, go NSW and good luck to your NRL teams this weekend. This year NRL on 9 is your one stop shop for all footy. That's right, Freddy, not about the highlights action seven days a week, billing goes podcast gather when you drive on the way home. Immortal behaviour. Grab a certainly couch for that. And of course, my favorite Fred in the air. The best footy brains, the biggest games. Don't trust the algorithm? Subscribe to NRL on 9 and get all your entertainment there.