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League 365 Podcast Interview - Newton Jets CEO Stuart McCarthy
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This week we are joined by Newtown Jets CEO Stuart McCarthy.
All right, guys, welcome back to League 365 Podcast. I'm your host, Virgo. This is episode 13. I'm joined as I am every week by my co-host Jack. So are you, mate?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, good. How are you going?
SPEAKER_01Good, mate, good. And this week we have a special guest guest and all Newtown fans. I hope you're tuning in because we have your CEO here and Mr. Stuart McCarthy. Welcome to the podcast.
SPEAKER_02Fantastic. Episode 13 nonetheless. Hopefully it's a lucky number. But thanks for your support, boys. Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_01Fantastic.
SPEAKER_00Alright, Stu. Well, kick it off. Just give us a bit of a background on sort of your upbringing and um where'd you grow up, sports you play, all that type of stuff.
SPEAKER_02Oh well look, the reality is I can't lay claims to having been born a Newtown supporter, uh unfortunately. Um so growing up um you know basically uh around the ride area, um so had two things that I loved, um, you know, sporting wise. It was it was actually three, three things. So it was rugby league and rugby union in in winter. Um the union was on the Saturdays with Hunter Silla Rugby Club, and um then the league was on the Sundays, and then you know, cricket was the the other big passion, and it still is. So, you know, you know, back then life was simple in terms of choices for sport. Um so again, I was um uh living in the area with you know a fourth generation Balmain Tigers supporter. Um my godfather was a gentleman by the name of Harry Raven who played a hundred games for the Tigers in the the late 60s and early 70s, and uh again it was like I didn't have a choice in terms of who I supported but didn't need one. I was you know I was a very passionate Tigers boy uh growing up and they were good times, you know. You know, you know, started supporting the game in 1976, and um, you know, by the you know, through the 80s the the the Tigers had a very strong side, so uh yeah, it was good fun.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, you would have gone through the the block of roaches and the bennies. All of them, yeah, yeah. And the heartbreak of the field goal and hit the post.
SPEAKER_02Oh yeah, uh 89 still obviously joltes me. It's funny, uh funnily enough, through Newtown I got to meet Steve O'Brien. Uh and again, you know, we've had lots of conversations about you know things things just weren't meant to be on that particular occasion. But um it's funny, you know, looking back at everyone you know thinks it's one of the great grand finals, and and it was like yeah, it was unbelievable.
SPEAKER_01It was unbelievable. So you um end up at Newtown. How did that all come about? You obviously moved into the area, yeah.
SPEAKER_02So um kind of supported the merger uh in 2000. It was a necessary evil. Uh you know, the Tigers kind of just you know didn't have the wherewithal to stand on their own, so gave that a year. Um uh but uh in in 2000 actually Baalmain still had the reserve grade team, it was the first division back then. So we a mate and I used to go and watch all the games. And they funnily enough, they were playing Newtown towards the end of the season, and Newtown were with the Warriors that year, which was an interesting, interesting partnership. Um but they they were kind of on the cusp of making the eight, and the game was at Lycard Oval, and um Jason Bell, we didn't know whether he was going to turn out for Newtown or not, and fair player, and he did, and he he carved us up. But there was uh we were in the Keith Barnes stand and there was a group of about 10 Newtown supporters at the game, and they were absolutely absolutely mad. You know, they made the noise of about a hundred people. I remember saying to my mate, I said, you know, these guys are crazy. I'm like, I'm digging that. And then at the end of the year, yeah, moved into Alexandria. Uh so I wanted a local team to support as well, and yeah, being a Baalmain supporter, it couldn't be South because in 1909 and all of that stuff. Um, and in the end, um was me to go down to Henson Park uh to watch a game, and the West Tigers were playing at Leichhart the next day, and I I couldn't get a day pass for both games, so and it didn't go down, and they actually beat Norse that day, funnily enough. Went down to Leichhart the next day, and the score they were playing Parramatta, who had a fair team that year, and the score at halftime was 36-0. And you know, they said we would the Tigers were going to be stronger off the field, they'd blown millions of dollars that they got to merge, yeah. They were gonna be stronger on the field, and not quite. So I thought to myself, you know what? I've done I've I just my heart's not in this. Yeah. Next week went down to Hanson Park, uh, went through the Centennial Street Gates, and the first person I saw was none other than a person by the name of Craig Wheeler, lifelong fan, and he was one of those mad ten that like out over the year before. So uh something about that place with it, you've got a certain disposition sucks you in. And I got sucked in royally. Um a couple of weeks later, I was helping him uh serve beers out of what's the hill bar now. There was no fridges, there was a couple of bins with ice, and we had VB new and uh light beer, and um you know the there was a p real passion from the people involved with with the club that was very easy to get attracted to. And you know, again that that particular year they only won one more game. Uh they were a standalone aside that the partnership with the Warriors hadn't uh continued. And um, you know, they they beat East the first day I bought my first Newtown jersey, uh the Roosters. Um but you know, the results didn't matter. Yeah, it felt to me like I used to feel supporting Balmay. Yeah. Um and you know, again that was 2001. Yeah and you know, 25 years later I'm still very fortunate to to be involved in the club.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Just quickly, um Jason Bell, is it the Parramatta? Is it the odd half of Parramatta you're talking about? So he was He was with the Warriors. Oh, that's right, he went to the Warriors.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, so yeah, yeah, there was you know Mark Tukey played in that New Town team that yeah, Clinton Torpey. Clinton Torpey, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Well we had Cole Murphy on a few weeks ago, and he actually mentioned uh a lot of these votes because they were with the Warriors when he was there.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, well he was the yeah, the coach, and yeah, Cole, what a what an absolute legend. He was a great podcast.
SPEAKER_01Absolute, absolute legend, absolute legend.
SPEAKER_00Um tell us about John Singleton, obviously a big figure, you know, everyone knows John Singleton. What was his impact uh with you and the club and what was it like when you first met him?
SPEAKER_02Look, um uh yeah, so I mean, I I again obviously he was a major, you know, he's the patron of the club for a long, long time, but yeah, a major influence in in the 70s and 80s. Uh you know, I wasn't supporting the club then, but you know, knowing the history now that I do, um, you know, he came on board and yeah, turned you know the club around. He, you know, they they weren't very successful back into the 80s, but he wanted to turn them into a club that had a winning culture and you know ultimately got Tommy on board um and and transformed the club. So they went from you know three wooden spoons or thereabouts in the late 70s to 15 minutes away from a premiership in 81. So he his influence was enormous um both kind of financially and otherwise. It's um it's just a shame because when stuff went down in 83 and they you know them the the the the jets and the magpies got removed for the competition, uh John's just was in a position with his business interest where he just wasn't able to kind of bail them out, like he would have loved to, and I yeah, and and uh I'm pretty certain that's you know he still kind of you know wears that pretty heavily on his sleeve. Um but no, a fantastic new town man, he's still involved as a sponsor uh in in the club. Um and these days, so you know he's a sleeve sponsor, but in back in 218, he he he rang me up and said, Look, I don't need my name on the jerseys. Like, oh why don't we kind of put some ex-players on? So I started with Cole Murphy and you know, then it was Tommy in 2019 when we won. Um, and each year now, you know, basically we put two former Newtown legends on the sleeve of the jerseys, and it it's a really good thing for the current players as well, because they're always oh, who was this guy? And you know, what were you know what was his history with the club? But an enormous part uh of Newtown's history and uh and still a great supporter to this day.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, there's a real big aura down there, isn't there, at Hanson Park. Like I never really followed them at all until they merged with Cronulla, or the feeder team to Cronulla, so I started going out there. And some of the I I spoke to this about to Cole about this, about some of the reactions them Cronulla players have when they score. Sometimes they react better at Hanson Park in front of whoever's there than they do in front of 15,000 at Shark Park.
SPEAKER_02Oh look, I I think you could maybe say it's an even score. It's um it's been an amazing relationship. Uh yeah, really. And yeah, again, that the the players were always bought in. Um and you know, it to be fair, you know, we were with the Roosters for nine years prior to 215 um as well, and you know, we had lots of good times with them, but the partnership that we've got with the Sharks has just been incredible, and you know, the proofs in the pudding in terms of the success that both clubs have had, you know, on the field as well. Um, and yeah, every year it just keeps getting better and better and better.
SPEAKER_00Just back to single quickly, Stu. Yep. Yeah, great businessman he is. Is there something something he taught you or any lessons you picked up from him that you've transitioned into like the corporate space?
SPEAKER_02Uh him and like uh there's a saying within the club, and and it was Chickamore that actually was the one that introduced it. So if it's if it's not good for Newtown, it's not the right decision. And I think it's a really simple uh you know thing to say, but uh across the board and the way we try to uh handle our fares, it's that's always front and centre. Yeah. And you and Singo is very much like that as well. You know, if it's not the right decision for what I love or what I'm doing, I'm not gonna go go go ahead with it. And he you know, he plays a really straight bat with stuff like that and doesn't tolerate bullshit. Yeah, no, it's a good way to be. Hopefully.
SPEAKER_00Um what's your memories on some of the greats? Obviously, Redonicus and uh Sigsworth, all those great players at Newtown. I know you weren't following the club back in those days.
SPEAKER_02I've had, yeah, I I've had it's been great to kind of go back and and educate myself on that and obviously kind of watched all those games again. I mean, I remember watching even as a as an 11-year-old in '81 that team because like Newtown had kind of come from nowhere and they just kept going and going and going. And you know, the the the semi-final obviously against Manley was just incredible and and remembered for obvious reasons in terms of you know, we won the fight and the game of footy, but then the next week they beat the Roosters, who I'm pretty certain were minor premiers that year. So, yeah, the the way uh the stories that I've heard from players involved with that over the years, you know, at functions and whatnot, um, yeah, it was an incredible, you know, group of players that was put together, and you know, it was you know, again, so close to winning a competition. Um, but you know, and and you know, Tommy and Siggy and those guys were you know were always involved with the club through coming to games and whatnot and coming to to functions and you know it's uh it it's been fantastic actually getting to know them on a personal level. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, we just touched on the uh evolvement of the sharks. How did that all come about? So you're with the roosters from do you remember the usual?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, no, absolutely. So funnily enough, uh 2005 we were with Cronola. Yeah, and then you went to the Roosters after that. So and you know, part yeah, that that they wanted to go a separate way uh yeah, you know, kind of at the end of that season. And and during that season, though, we did get approached by the Roosters. Um and so that the timing was was exceptional. Yep. Um and yeah, we had uh we were with the Roosters up until 214. Yep. Um long story in in and around how that finished, but it it did. Um so basically, end of 214, it was you know, Cronolo and uh us was like the last two at the dance. So Steve Noyce, funnily enough, was the CEO for a while there, and he'd actually been at the Roosters, so that made that negotiation like you know pretty simple, but then he uh unfortunately parted ways, you know, pretty much straight away thereafter. Yeah, and and Lyle Gorman uh came into the fold. But um, yeah, the first year was a really interesting one because a lot of the guys that played for us that year were pretty much told at the start of the year that they weren't going to be required for 216. Um so um yeah, we we we started the year pretty well, but it was a difficult year to manage, you know, manage that. Yeah. Um but then 216 obviously um was a really sick you know, clearly for the Sharks won their first premiership, which was absolutely epic. And again, we had a really good good year that year. We're one game away from the grand final. Um then yeah, 217 was a bit of a come down from that, um, and there was a lot going on. So we managed to kind of negotiate with with Flano one extra year in 218. Um and Kyle actually was playing for us that that particular year. Yeah. And um it was funny because he he went back, you know, we had it was a really good good young team. Like they'd had a lot of success in Fleet. Yeah, and um I I remember it was early on in the season and he went back to Shane. He said, mate, I don't know why you were so dark on Newtown. We loved playing. Yeah, yeah. And it was uh a few weeks later, I was up at a wedding on the uh the central on the in Marucidor, so and the the we were playing Penrith out at Penrith Park uh on the Saturday, and at halftime there was Flano in a Newtown polo, and I've just gone, yeah, we're in the back. Um so yeah, you know, 218 was a you know a fantastic year as well. And then that was um you know, at the start of that year, um we only had the one year deal. Um and all of a sudden the planets kind of aligned left, right, and centre. We had Melbourne interested, we had the Roosters five with Wyong, and they you know they uh were very, very serious. Yep. Um and then Barry Russell became the the general manager, like the CEO, and he played for both clubs. And I remember getting a call from him early in 2018 going, look, I've got this document on my desk with you know the sharks wanting to go in another direction. Like, how do we fix this? Yeah, and we did. And at the end of the day, um, you know, we always wanted to kind of stay with the sharkies um because of the football side of things, and yeah, the roosters had more money or whatever, but at the end of the day, it was about you know the outside of the the Panthers, like the the Sharks Junior nursery is the strongest in Sydney. So, you know, that funnel of great young guys coming through, you know, Greg Madison who was our coach at the time, he was he was adamant, like Stu, get the deal done with the Sharkies, and we did, and you know, we're it's 226 now, and we're kind of already talking about an extension to the partnership.
SPEAKER_01Where are you signed to with them at the moment? This year's the last year. This year, yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um but yeah, again, you know, there's confident it'll go further. I I'd like to think things are uh are looking pretty solid for the future. Again, they're they're they're great people to deal with, and we've got a really good relationship, and there's a lot of other stuff that we can look to be doing together moving forward.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Now talking about Newtown legends, there's a man that uh he cycles his penny farthing around there. Uh his name is John Trad. Um, what can you tell us about Traddy and how important is is he to the club and how long has this been going on for? Because Cole said he was doing that when he was playing.
SPEAKER_02Oh, it's a really long story. Uh so Traddy has been around the club since yeah uh early uh 2000, maybe even late 90s. Yep. Um he first he he first got a gig or wanted to get a gig as as a like filming the games. Yep, okay. And and he said to Cole, he said, you know, like I'll I'll have a crack at you know, kind of doing some video, and we the the club didn't have anything like that, so Murphy's like, yeah, have a go. Anyway, he did this one game, and when he thought the camera was on, it was off, and vice versa. So he he went and showed that he gave Cole the tape, and Cole had a look at it, and it was like complete rubbish. He went back to his house, chucked the video at him, and said, Right, you can get stuffed. And so anyway, Traddy persisted, and he actually got quite good uh at at filming the game. So he was doing that for quite some time. Uh, but then his camera broke, uh, and all of a sudden he's like, Oh, what am I gonna do now? And uh he uh had this the penny filing, and so he thought, you know what, I'll they scored a trial, I might just ride the bike around the oval because uh again, yeah, Henson Park was actually the Villa Drome at the 1938 uh Empire Game, so there's a bike track there, and it kind of just took on a life of its own. Yeah, um, so he's been doing that every time we score a try since about 2010. Yeah um how important is Traddy to the club? Uh he's irreplaceable, yeah. Um he he's sometimes high maintenance, uh, but there's a so much more depth to what he who he is and what he does for the club. Like he's my two I see in terms of getting stuff done, yeah, behind the scenes. Like yeah, he was there at dancing park all day today, yeah, yeah, helping out. Um so yeah, he's uh a lovable rogue who you know we're very we're very blessed to have because again, the personality that he brings to the game day experience, um other people have you know, other clubs have tried to imitate it, but there's no chance. Yep.
SPEAKER_00It's important when you're like a small community club like Newtown to have you know personalities and people that create the culture.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and I mean again you only have to see him like on game days and the the kids running him after him and and stuff, and it's um yeah, it's a real novelty, but it's it's really unique as well. And it it comes from it like he he's absolute mad Newtown supporter. And again, you know, we're we're lucky, very fortunate that uh again kind of madness does gravitate to the club, but in a good good good way. So yeah, no, he's um he helps out with footy, uh obviously he's uh he's pretty good with his social media these days as well. So um yeah, he's he's got a lot going on, Traddy, and yeah, we love it. Good stuff.
SPEAKER_00That's good. Um talk to us about Hanson Park, uh the updates that uh that have happened or happening to Enzo.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, so I'm still scratching myself to be honest. If you if you knew what the the ground was, I mean it's always had a charm, uh like an old world charm, and that's what a lot of our supporters you know kind of pick up on, and a lot of rugby league supporters, like you come back to Hanson Park and it's a throwback to the game we we loved growing up. Um, but you know, this latest upgrade in terms of football facilities takes it into uh a new stratosphere. Uh to be honest, like the the dressing rooms we've got now, the the the media building, um it's it's yeah, the facilities are second to none from a footballing point of view. Obviously, it lends itself to to female sport as well, which is great. Um that's certainly a space that we want to expand into uh i in in the near to dist future. And you know, obviously a lot of the funding came from the AFL because they wanted a home ground for the for the Swans girls, yeah. Uh who actually draw the biggest crowds in that competition. So um the official opening of of stage one and stage two is is part of Sunday's uh extravaganza. So it's been 18 months of of some pain dealing with uh you know no grandstand and and and reduced uh facilities, but um, we were always gonna come out you know in a really good spot, and that's that's how it ended. That's how it you know it it's ended as well. So yeah, I I scratch myself every time I go to work now.
SPEAKER_01Uh so is it complete?
SPEAKER_02Uh the grandstand's complete. Uh stage two, which is the media building, that'll be ready and open uh on Sunday. There's work still going on the grand on the scoreboard building, uh which is a separate project, but um again that'll be ready for hopefully our first competition home game in uh in April. So yeah, we um we don't we won't know ourselves, but it's uh it's great. And obviously, you know, fantastic amenities for the supporters and and this you know the our you know crowd as well.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's what rugby league's about, really, isn't it? Suburban footy, grassroots, looking after late. The fans must love going there.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, they do. And yeah, there's stuff we can get away with at New South Wales Cup level. You know, again, it it's kind of a little bit par se now, or everyone running onto the field at full time, but like we've been doing doing it since 2002. Yeah, um, and yeah, it's you know it's even half time, isn't it? Uh half time, yeah. So blow the siren to get them off. Uh yeah, that's sometimes you know kind of takes a little bit longer than we'd like. But uh yeah, no, we we've never had any issues with it, and you know the supporters love it and the kids love it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Now we're gonna touch on the premierships, but there's one thing I wanted to touch on before that. In 2018, at the Brad Fitler medal, you're awarded the Ray Stella, Clubman of the Year. That must have been some kind of thrill.
SPEAKER_02It was. Yeah, no, it it was. It's again, I'm very fortunate to be in a position to work doing something I love and I'm passionate about. So to be acknowledged uh on that night was was was was really nice. Um yeah, and a very big shock. Um and and again, you know, Aaron uh Aaron Mullen was presenting that night, and uh I was yeah it was funny watching the interview because I was uh like this. But uh no, it was yeah, and you know, there's yeah, it was it was nice. Yeah, it was nice to be recognised, but not what you do things for. No, of course not. Yeah, it was a good night. It's a shame we didn't go on and win the comp that year because we had the team to do so, but uh yeah, that was a good night.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, well, fast forward a year and that all changed. It did. So the first premiership uh that we'll talk about 2019. Now, off the top of my head, I'm thinking Blake Brailly's in the side, I'm thinking Colt Flanagan's the halfback.
SPEAKER_02No, no, no, interesting one that one. You know, we actually won the comp at 212 as well. So that was fantastic. But okay, so fast forward 218. We had Flano. Yeah. Uh we also had Blake Braille as well. Yeah. Uh Britna Cora, never saw him again. Uh his line running, he just knew it's good. Um, so actually in 219, Blake was up in first grade. He only played two games for us all year. Yeah. But there is a particular the planet's align when you win the comp. And so we got Toby Rudolph came in with seven weeks to go, ended up we've never lost a game with him in the site. And he was always going to come back from that injury fight up. Yeah, yeah. First time we saw him, we're just like, look at this boat.
SPEAKER_04Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Uh and then so Blake Brayley played you guys, yeah, had there's one extra game. He got to play the first final.
SPEAKER_01Okay, yeah.
SPEAKER_02And then because he then played the second final, that qualified. Him to play for the rest of the final series. So again, he only played two games all year. But then we've got him like again, the team that we had. You have a look at that team. Yeah. And you have a look at, and it's so like rewarding for all Jets supporters seeing all those boys doing so well for the Sharkies because that's what we're here for. But yeah, you kind of look at that team now and go, Well, yeah, thank God we what did win the comp because yeah, it was it was a cracking side, like Ronnie and Sioni on the wing. He was scoring those tries all year. Yeah. Um and then yeah, you got Blakey back. So we had Tricky in the halves. Yep. Uh and yeah, he'd come on the back of you know that I think you guys won the flag in 218 from memory. Like he he plays in teams that win competitions. So I'm still I still think the the way is up for the Sharkies in the NRL as well. So yeah, yeah, and you know, it was just a cracking team.
SPEAKER_01And we didn't even talk about the match winner.
SPEAKER_02Oh match, yeah, two like yeah, to you'll never see that again.
SPEAKER_01Never.
SPEAKER_02Like it's just crazy kind of to think about. Um, you know, obviously in in the the the cup grand final, uh it went into extra time, it wasn't golden point. Yep. Um and and you know redemption for it it's funny when you see the the match-winning try with um Willie Well and he scored the first guy that jumps on his back was Matt Evans, yeah. Uh and again, yeah, the yeah, which was great to see yeah, because 218 was you know a difficult, difficult game. But um, you know, that the you know Billy McGullius, the the boot that set the try up, uh Tyron Phillips inside the world. And then you know, though that you know again that they had the you know they had an opportunity on our line right at the end we defended. Um and yeah, such uh it was seven versus eight as well. Uh if funny enough in 2012 it was seven versus eight. So that's at this level of footy, where you finish in the eight doesn't matter. Because again, it's what you know who do you get back from the NRL, you know, and and how you know, so absolutely ripping, you know, ripping run into the finals, and then the following week we were uh had six players out from the week before, to be honest. Um and Burley came to play and you know, 13 seconds to go, surely not. And um I I think I can't I think it was Dave Hallett was in the the the coach's box, yeah. And you know, Billy's done it again, and Inda Jackson bounces right angles, bang, and it was ridiculous all that. And Dave Hallett's just going, you blokes a kid. Um which was kind of funny. It's like, no, we're not, mate. And yeah, there's like there's so many photos from that moment where that there's one like from in front of where Jack had caught the ball, and you you see Blake Braille and George Nadira who was the assistant coach then, and yeah, and Greg Eastwood and just the looks on their face. Yeah, T Wilton, yeah, um yeah, and that was a party that night.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I could imagine, I could imagine. And then so we fast forward uh what five years to the next one, 2024, yep, and you win the premiership again.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Incredible like really, really cool. Yeah. Because again, you actually the same deal. You look back at that side and yeah, you there there's you know, guys that have you know uh are regular first graders now that you know at the time, but they played really tough football you know to get where they were that year. Yeah, and yeah, it was a cracking game at that grand final against the Bears. We were outnumbered in you know in the crowd, but we managed just to keep the crowd out of the game, out of out of the game. And um, yeah, it was um yeah, uh you know, really, you know, to win you know comps is a is a big thing, and it was it was a big thing again. And um, it's just yeah, it's shame. We kind of let ourselves down the following week, unfortunately, in that uh in that state championship game.
SPEAKER_01But yeah, yeah. It must be hard for him no backing up for that state. It is, yeah, it must be hard.
SPEAKER_02It is, but yeah, it's all about preparation as well, yeah. Um to be honest. But anyway, yeah, can't complain.
SPEAKER_01Exactly.
SPEAKER_00Just touching on that state championship. Wh where does that within the club is it like obviously you want to win it, but is it a bit of a novelty or you know, it's harder as just said, I'm sure it's hard for the boys to stay up after they've just won the the New Swells Cup. Do they go in a bit like like Sadazy a bit thinking that oh we can just take care of the Queensland Cup boys?
SPEAKER_02I think there might have been an L in 2019, no. I mean again, like Matto had yeah, it was just a different preparation in 219, and that was just the way things unfolded. I mean, it was you know, Cronola's NRL, Mad Monday, um uh you know, the the in 2024. And again, the guys like what they're well behaved, but you can't you can't tell our boys that kind of were part of that not to enjoy themselves, to be honest. So um it's the boys want to win the New South Wales Cup first and foremost, but having won one and then having lost one, it's like i i it it's icing on the cake, yeah. But the cake does taste better with the icing. Yeah, of course. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00Would um would you like to see because I know as a fan, I prefer it when the New Swales Cup game is on grand final day. It feels like a better compet uh a better competition between the two teams, a bit closer. Seen recently the New Swales Cup team just seemed to blow the Queensland team off the park. No disrespect to the Queensland competition. But like w from your standpoint, would you like to see it go back to that? Or do you like having it uh the week before?
SPEAKER_02I I like I understand both sides of the the equation. Uh like it was it was great to be playing the the cup grand finals, and you know, we were in a couple, you know, we lost a couple and won a couple on that day. Yeah, absolutely. Um but then uh you know I understand what the NRL have have tried to do, you know, with the state championship. Um and I think it's got like it's got a lot of merit you know in it, because again it gives you know those the Queensland and the New South Wales Cup side something, you know, uh on a grand final day. Um obviously with the explosion of the NRLW and and the profile and that, you know, the girls you know are playing that main curtain raiser as well, so that's something else to factor in. You know, I I know the results have have been a bit one-sided uh in recent years, but I I I yeah, I I I'm a fan of the game.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um because again, it it gives that little bit more relevance to both those combines. Like we we do hear murmurings of about a national reserve grade, uh, which I you know I I I I think it is isn't necessarily when you've got two, you know, the Queensland Cup's a great competition, and again, you know, the BRL was the second oldest rugby league competition in you know, you know, one of the in the world and a very strong competition. You know, and again, those clubs have have a lot of history and you know the New South Wales Cup, you know, gives the likes of North Sydney and us a chance to still play at a competitive level of footy as long as we're doing the right thing and providing you know something that NRL clubs and in uh we're lucky in in the instance of the Sharks find beneficial and a value add to what they do. So yeah, long answer to yeah, it's I I'm a fan of both.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Yeah. That's one thing I do like about the New Sales Cup is obviously recent years, less and less of the your Jets and your Bears have and your Wyong Rus, they've come back because like Roosters have got their own side and Penriff have got their own side. But I remember when I when I was a bit younger, you'd had like Mounties, you'd have um Windsor Wolves. Yeah, Windsor Wools. I thought that's that's cool. That's how I grew up on it, and that's how I liked it. I know a lot like probably your boats your age like to see the NRL sides have their reserve grade sites, but that I when I grew up, that's what I liked about New Siles Cup. You saw different sides, different jerseys.
SPEAKER_02I thought that was there's swings and roundabouts. I know there's like it basically it's gone back to a lot of most of the clubs, you know, wanting their own. But again, I that you know, when we go to 22, I it could all change in a heartbeat of course. So, you know, I don't think there's anything hard and fast. Um, yeah, we love being able to kind of play against those big names. Yeah, um, but you know, again, it was you know, it was like you said, it was you know, in days when there were a lot of you know other you know, feeder clubs as well. That was that was great also. Yeah, it's like it's always been a really good standard comp, you know, even going back to when the NYC was brought in in in 2008, and people thought that that was going to be the reserve grade to NRL, like anyone that knows footy knew it wasn't. Yeah, um, and it was just perception that was really old in New South Wales Cup back. It's always been reserve grade. Yeah, 100%. I I couldn't agree more.
SPEAKER_00Um how's 2026 looking with the side? Any young boys coming through?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we've got a lot of disquiet, like a b a bigger turnover of players this this year compared to the the previous couple of years. I mean, every team at this stage of the year is looking fantastic, absolutely, because there's not been a ball kicked in anger. Uh, but no, they've trained really the boys are trained really, really well. Again, there's some there's some young names that are really putting their kind of stamp on the preseason and and and are ready to kind of make an impact when they pull on the jersey. Uh, we've got a couple of young guys that would play Queensland 19s a couple of years ago, uh Hayden Lemmon and and Cathane Hill, they they look really, really good. Um, and again, like yeah, we've you know uh quite a few of our boys have had a decent preseason full-time with the Sharks, which is great. Yeah, um, so you've got to have a good run with injuries. Your NRL clubs uh team's got to have a good run with injuries, but you know, there's enough football across this club to do well.
SPEAKER_01I saw I saw the Cronella side name today, and someone that's um on everyone's lips is Liam Ison. How's he looking? Like you he's probably gonna spend a little bit of time early in the season. I I'd love to say yes.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, how's Liam looking? Liam's a legend, he is such an excitement machine. Like he burst onto the to to you know from kind of nowhere in in 2024, even though everyone had tabs on him. But the football, like it just and again, you know, he's not the the biggest player. He's built he's he's he's built up a bit, yeah. Um but punches above his weight, very difficult to tackle, actually, and just speed machine, it was heartbreaking last year. Yeah, especially because that Penrith game was yeah, it was a really tough game of footy to start with, and and just when it was a real sour note, like everyone's heads just went, oh did it against his former club as well. Yeah, so he but you know he he kept his head up, he's trained the house down, um, and he's he's ready to go, and you know, this could be a massive year for him. And I just hope he stays.
SPEAKER_01Well well the small the small fullback's probably back in the game a little bit. You've got your your Keanu Kinneys, your Troy Fullers, and they're really the little fullback, uh you know, there's a place for him for sure.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, a million percent, especially when they've got speed to burn like that. Exactly. And he's got football now.
SPEAKER_01What I've seen him too, very brave. Yeah, like very brave, and you've got to be, yeah, you have to be like playing that.
SPEAKER_02But he's tough, like don't yeah, like you know, he's baby faced and all that jazz, but no, he he he can handle handle the heavy stuff. Yeah, and like you said, you've got to be able to you know there's no place to hide in a footy field list of all these days.
SPEAKER_01Exactly. Just changing subjects quickly, um late, I think it was when did the Perth um decision come in when the North Sydney was that last year? Last year. Last year. There was talk about the Perth and Newtown thing. Can you give us anything on on what happened went down with that?
SPEAKER_02No, no, no, no, no, but we said off air, you could that that's probably a whole nother podcast in itself. Oh look, you know, we never went out of our way to kind of jump into that kind of spotlight. Again, you know, we we know like we we're about representing our local community in a fantastic partnership with sharks. It's it's it's all good news. Um, but yeah, the phone has rung a few times. It rang a few years earlier, back when the you know the Brisbane Jets were going for the Dolphins license, and we were approached by you know the WA team. Um and it was like, okay, we'll we'll go and meet with them and and hear what they've got to say. And um yeah, things progressed uh you know along the way. And again, you know, we weren't chasing this, it's not something we've you know ever really talked about, but like it's something we had to explore. Yeah. Um and yeah, to be honest, it got down to the wire, and you know, the the WA team wanted to go in a certain direction. Um, but there were certain things that we were adamant about that we need to be for us to to go into that space, so you needed to have equity in the game. Um and when that became apparent that that wasn't the case, that's when we we talked about Singo earlier. Singo you know, rang up and said, look, you're just playing games with us. But you know, to be honest, the Bears were always gonna be the team that ended up there. And yeah, it's yeah, it's I it's it's great for you know again. We it's um yeah, it was interesting to be a part of it because we were at the coal face to a point, but um, you know, it's uh I I hope it I hope it works. Yeah, uh, it's gonna be a tough, tough, tough gig. It's gonna be a tough gig.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, but um, it believes it's gonna be very tough.
SPEAKER_02So I I actually went to school across the road from North North Sydney Oval, uh, and he and again like have a lot of my mates that are still bears supporters, so it's great for them to kind of have you know their team to support. Yeah, so yeah, I I I hope things work out.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, very good. Now I've got no idea how you uh make time to be the general manager of undercover music. I know nothing about music, Jack knows very little. Zach, our producer, actually knows a little bit. Um, but what can you tell us about your role at Undercover Music?
SPEAKER_02Oh look, I so I was a full-time user in the 90s. Okay. So again, music and sport, like uh might yeah, uh you know, very blessed to kind of still work in both. Um so and then got married and had to get a decent job and got offered got Saconda to go and uh you know kind of set this company up. Yeah. And it was April Fool's Day 2001, and yeah, it's thankfully it hasn't been an April Fool's joke. But uh 25 years later, you know, we're still kind of keeping our head above water, which in the music industry there's been a quantum shift in the way music's consumed in in those two decades, so it's been an interesting ride. But um then that was the same year started at the Jets. So um yeah, it's funny, like everyone it sounds a bit weird, but there's a lot of similarities between musicians and football players in terms of uh they can be high maintenance at times, so yeah, there's a there's a fair bit of crossover, but uh no, it's uh yeah, it's um yeah, it's something I love and I'm passionate about, and and again, we you know we've we've kept our head above water for 25 years, which is no small feat.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, beautiful. Okay, let's get on to the big fish, Sunday. Yes, this massive day at Henson. I've been plugging it on here, as everyone knows, for the last probably two months now. How's it all looking and what's on the agenda for the day?
SPEAKER_02So when we first had the idea floated that we might be able to host an NRL trial because we've now got the facilities to do so, it was like okay, spoke to you know, gave Matter our partners in Beer Footy Food. Uh, let what do you think? Let's have a crack at this. And uh so we said yeah, and you know, spoke to the the Sharkies boys and they were let's do it. So um, yeah, so it's the summer beer footy food festival. Uh anybody that knows anything about beer footy food, like it's the the biggest day at Henson Park you know of the year. So we have you know uh there's gonna be 15 local brewers, 15 food trucks that you know we kind of park across the hill. Um so you know it's it's slightly smaller than normal, but um again, there's five games of footy starting at 10.30, all the sharks junior reps uh into flag, into Newtown Cup, and into the NRL. So um like lots of football uh and lots of you know hopefully great vibes off the field. Um yeah, so the footy kicks off at 10.30, but gates for the event open uh open at midday. Uh it's also the official opening uh of the ground. Uh so that's that you know that's something special in itself. But to have NRL back at the venue for the first time in 36 years is is you know is amazing as well.
SPEAKER_01Is is the objection is to get an NRL game there at one point?
SPEAKER_02Um I'd like to think that this might grow legs of its own and be something that we could do on an annual event. I mean it's early doors. Yeah um you know, we'd love to host an NRL game at some point in the future. Um, whether that's a game or whether it's just a trial each year. Yeah. Um but you know, the the fact that we've even gotten to this stage is the you know is a great thrill for the club and and also and then another sign of you know the the partnership with the Sharkies that they're they're you know willing to kind of go down this path with us. So um yeah, looking forward to a great day. Bit of rain forecast in the morning, but that'll go away. And um yeah, it's uh it should be another cracking day.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and how's uh best place to get tickets?
SPEAKER_02Uh so online uh at OzTix, if you just uh Google Summer Beer Footy Food Festival, that the link comes up pretty quickly. Uh they're a little bit cheaper online than on the on the door. It's thirty dollars on the door, but you can buy tickets on the day. Yep. Um but yeah, we'd encourage everyone to to get in and get them. That'll just mean you get in faster. Yep as well.
SPEAKER_01You got anything on for the day?
SPEAKER_00No, I just I just think it's mad that there's gonna be like a TV game ahead some park.
SPEAKER_01Mad means good, doesn't it?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no means good. I think I just think how good. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, hopefully that hill will be packed and it'll it'll look terrific on TV and it'd be a good advertisement, you know, for the game, like kicking off for for the new year.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Yeah, so very good. All right, Stu, that's about it, I think. Um look, I really wanted to thank you for coming on. Um we've been sprooking the day for you for the last couple of months. Um we're gonna be out there, um, as we've talked about. We're gonna be doing some little clips and stuff from the front entrance. Is that the Syndrome Roman entrance?
SPEAKER_02Syndrome.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, Syndrome Roman entrance. So, guys, make sure you come and see us.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we'll be out of TV.
SPEAKER_01We'll be out at the front there doing videos. So if you want to get your face on the pod, come down the stairs. But again, Stu, really want to thank you for coming on, mate. And um I hope Sunday's a blast and uh good luck with everything in the future, mate.
SPEAKER_02Nah, thanks for having us and keep up the the great work. I really enjoy what you guys are doing and your support of the club's been terrific. So again, hopefully see everyone at uh Hanson Park, the jewel in the crown of rugby league grounds on Sunday.
SPEAKER_01Exactly. Fantastic. Thanks, guys.