Episode 1. Jarryd Meredith

In this episode, Jarryd Meredith, President of the Dubbo Macquarie Raiders, for a conversation that goes well beyond the scoreboard.

Jarryd talks us through all-grade updates, the culture the club is building, its growth and aspirations, the leadership of the coaches, and the players shaping the Raiders this season in 2026. But the heart of this episode is bigger than footy Jarryd opens up about why speaking honestly about mental health and shares the story of his brother Perry, who took his own life.

That's what makes Round 13 so special. This round the Raiders honour Perry's life and the legacy he leaves with the club, including a player of the match awarded in his name.

A powerful yarn about a footy club that shows up for each other. If any of it hits home, please reach out to someone. If you or someone you know needs support, Lifeline (13 11 14) and 13YARN (13 92 76) are available 24/7. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:12

The hate is real, but let's just be honest. And it's great for you. It can be here. You guys got to win the call. Today can be the worst day in your life if we can sit down and talk to each other. Tomorrow's another day.

SPEAKER_01 0:34

So look, welcome to the Mac Raiders Podcast. I'm Disney Crawford. I am here to talk with President Jared about our 2026 season and just talk about where we currently are, where we're going, and what the future looks like. So, Jared, for people who don't know you or the history of this club, give it to me in 30 seconds.

SPEAKER_03 0:54

People that don't know me, my name is Jared Meredith, obviously. I'm a Dubbo boy, uh well entrenched with this Macquarie Club. I've had my grandfather here, my father been president, my brothers played, my two uncles, my three cousins are currently first graders. Uh, I love the club, and I've been the president for the last, oh, I think since 2021 or 2022.

SPEAKER_01 1:18

You really like to drop that my three cousins are playing, don't you? Because you're like, your one cousin who is an enforcer in Jack, just will take anyone on at any time.

SPEAKER_03 1:28

No respect for his body.

SPEAKER_01 1:29

No. Mr. Reliable and Chuck, and then Mr. 86% with kicks. Here we are. Yeah, well, that's yeah. See, no one else calls him her, we just call him Mr. 86%. So, Jared, you've been around this club for a very long time. I know that it's been a part of your family. Talk to me about what how would you describe this club?

SPEAKER_03 1:49

Describe this club as a massive family club, really embracing that those people that are there at the club, we get around each other, we make you feel comfortable. We have a very good time. There's a good culture of having a good time. And football-wise, I think we're getting close to where we want to be as well. We're starting to really find our straps on that side of things. But big one for the for the club itself, massive family club.

SPEAKER_01 2:17

Yeah. So look, we have four teams, blue tags, 18s, reserve grade, and first grade. I want to talk to you about each of those different teams because they have individual cultures that I guess really do contribute to the overall culture. Let's talk about the team that is led by Caitlin Mason.

SPEAKER_02 2:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:36

Made the last four grand finals, won the last two, going this year for three peak, as they keep telling me. The girls have said that currently they've had a bit of an up and down season, right? So there's they have said that the pressure is off them this year and they're probably flying under the radar, and people might think that they're a little bit depleted in terms of skills and experience. Talk to me about the culture of that team and why no one should be sleeping on that team.

SPEAKER_03 3:07

Yeah, you're right. They've been hugely successful, and we've sort of ran off the back of their success as a club, rightly so. And I think the culture that they're created within their own little team is probably what the culture that we want as a whole club, right? They've got it just within themselves or really excelling at it within themselves. They take on that whole looking after each other and that family vibe, and it shows in their results. And I think that's continuing even this year, although, you know, you're right, we're not as strong as or in a position where we look like we're, you know, the team to beat this year, but all those little values are still there, and I think they're the little dark horse because of that success that they had. And yeah, I think that's what keeps them where they are.

SPEAKER_01 4:00

Yeah, you can't you certainly can't and underestimate experience when a teen is in a pressure situation.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:08

One of the things that I know is really that has been instrumental in this team has certainly been the leadership and guidance of Caitlin Mason.

SPEAKER_02 4:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:17

She came in this club a few years ago, really wanted to make her mark as a coach and um someone who's got a lot of experience and knowledge, but just wants to consistently develop. Tell me about what an asset someone like Caitlin is to a club.

SPEAKER_03 4:33

Yeah, Caitlin's huge. She's been here for a few years now, and not only like Macquarie Seniors, like she does it all through the juniors, and they love her, and she just has that respect from all the girls that she coaches. She just cares so much about them. And then I think that helps her along the way, her coaching side, because I think they see how much she generally cares for them as a person and what's going on in their life, but then trying to make them, you know, better young girls or young ladies on the football field as well, but also off the football field. And I think, yeah, she just she's very good at what she does, and success is there for her to show, you know.

SPEAKER_01 5:19

Yeah, the proof is of the pudding.

SPEAKER_03 5:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:21

Let's move on to A-Tens because they've had an interesting season. Sometimes they've they've gone out of the gates in a in a game and really started strong, and then at times they've just lost in the last two or three minutes, and it's heartbreaking watching um that happen for that happen for you know young men in your club because you really feel for them and you want the best for them.

SPEAKER_02 5:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:41

But how important actually is it to lose in order to build that resilience?

SPEAKER_03 5:46

Yeah, you're right. Sometimes these losses that they're having, especially these close ones, right on the bell, which we were all heartbroken by at the time and throwing our arms up. But I think learning, it's weird, you know, learning to lose. It's and then how you bounce back. And I think they started, especially in the preseason, they had a lot of success. We went away, and I think we rather made the grand final in one of the pre-season things, and it was very exciting, and they were probably confident, and then things haven't gone quite to plan. But there's so many lessons that they can take from these losses, and I think Jason's really instilling that as a coach, and you know, there's still time this year. We only need to, you know, string a few of these wins in the back end of the season, scraping the finals and his whole new ball game. But I think the losses will put them in good stead moving forward.

SPEAKER_01 6:38

So Jason is leading this team of really, you know, like I would describe truly our 18s team as one of the most resilient, um, committed, focused group of men that I've actually seen in a in a youth team in a very long time.

SPEAKER_03 6:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:56

How would you describe that culture of that team?

SPEAKER_03 6:59

Yeah, for young men, like, you know, really young men still finding their way, and I think you probably agree there's a they're very respectful, like it's a respectful group. And I guess that's probably been instilled a little bit from Jason. But yeah, I'm proud to see just from a distance watching in, you know, results aside of just how they're building themselves off the field more than anything. You know, they're they're a respectful bunch of blokes. They keep showing up. Um, so they're showing that resilience. And like we've said, I think, yeah, that's going to put them in good stead, not just on the field, but off the field of, you know, just being good people.

SPEAKER_01 7:37

Yeah, they're an they are an incredible group of young men, and I'm certainly very grateful that I get to spend time with them. Now let's talk about reserve grade. Yeah. Last year, well, currently, so they lost the grand final last year, and I think that has just been etched in the back of their mind, and they were not letting that go. And they have hit this season running, they were undefeated until last weekend in Jobs, which by the way, Forbes completely played out of their skin. So we have to acknowledge that. Definitely. Um, that's the only compliment you'll get from me.

SPEAKER_00 8:10

Yeah, I think on people, I do like Forbes actually.

SPEAKER_01 8:12

Like they're a very passionate group of um supporters, and yeah, they're just ride or die. That they are in everything. And it was actually really good to be over there. That was proper country footy.

SPEAKER_03 8:24

Yeah, they're fantasy grandstand. I know they deserve their good grandstand. No, that was terrible being back what it was before, but no, they're they're definitely a good club.

SPEAKER_01 8:33

So, look, um again, that's the only compliment you get from me. So we know that reserve grade last year, last year they've come back and they really went very strong this season. And they were, I think at one point they'd had they had only had something like 152 points put on them for the whole season, which is an amazing achievement. It's led by Kurt Fuller and Matt Naden. Talk to me about the leadership of those two men in particular. Now, I know that I tend to kind of single those two out because I know that they are the ones that are often talking, but I can see that there's a lot of emerging leaders in that team that make up the structure of that, I guess, that collective of men.

SPEAKER_03 9:13

Yeah, you're right. And we are cursing reserve grade, I think, at the moment, because we are in many grand finals, and I'm yet to be part of a winning one since I've been involved. But anyway.

SPEAKER_01 9:23

Well, that's a great way to set the cell.

SPEAKER_03 9:25

I'm just I just want to get that out there. We're cursed, but we're breaking it this year. But you're right, with Kurt Fuller and Maddie Nadin, you know, the last few years Maddie Maynard has been the coach and decide to step aside this year. I wasn't even sure if he was going to play, but obviously it's just too hard to get away.

SPEAKER_00 9:43

As if he wouldn't. Let's be honest.

SPEAKER_03 9:45

You're right.

SPEAKER_00 9:45

He's like, nah, too old, nah, it's down here. And then he's that preseason.

SPEAKER_03 9:49

That's right, ripping in, one of the fittest here for him. Yeah, but great leaders, both of them, Matt and Kurt. Though those, particularly for the young boys in that reserve grade, which Eddie is right, it's a great mixture of blokes that have been there, done it for a long time, and then our young blokes that are whether they've come over juniors or they're just young in general, to learn from those two. Um, their leadership's unreal. And I think that's just because of what they've gone through in their lives, you know. Everyone has stories and stuff, but you know, they've all got their own stories and been through things and have made mistakes and learned from them. And then they're really pushing those good choices and healthy lifestyle stuff. And onto these young boys, they love it, and the results are showing.

SPEAKER_01 10:38

It's interesting because you see a lot of so Matt has both his sons that has been playing reserve grade. Um, you know, his his son that is younger, I can't think of his name, but you know, the young Jordan. Jordan, um, he's he's played up in in reserve grade with um with both Matt and Clayton. They're a bit of a generational team, right? Because you've got a lot of, you've got some sons there, you've got some cousins, you've got some brothers that are a part of that team. You've mentioned before that we are a very this has been a generational club for for a lot of families.

SPEAKER_03 11:13

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:14

That value of family, how important is it in moments of defeat and when you are really, you know, when you do feel like, you know, perhaps you, you know, we try really hard, but we just can't get there, you know. Like, how important are the this is this family value of compassion, understanding, but also deep cares for people when things don't go the way that we want it to?

SPEAKER_03 11:38

Yeah, it's a huge part because you know, with footy, right? They train Tuesdays, Thursdays, that might be for an hour and hour and a half. Sundays, it's the game whether it's you know 70, 80 minutes, but then that's it. And when things are happening outside of footy, off the field and away from the training and away from the Sunday, but you might not be sure about. But if you have that culture of a family and that deep care, well then it doesn't end, right? So, you know, it's not just Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday for a lot of us, it's the whole time.

SPEAKER_01 12:16

Yeah, we're together all the time.

SPEAKER_03 12:18

Yeah, that's right. And and that's what it is like. Those boys are always around each other. If they're gonna have a go, have a drink or feed or whatever it might be, it's you know, usually together. So I think that's just why they have some of the success that they have.

SPEAKER_01 12:32

Um I think that's also a massive advantage for our first grade team to have such a tight, cohesive reserve grade team that also does simple footy really well. Yeah. When I'm around that team, obviously I get to do a see a lot because I'm creating a lot of content and they're with my camera as much as it annoys them. They do love it. They're all love jobs. Um but what I notice that is really important with this team is that they just do the simple things really well and they do the simple things consistently. It's not flashy plays, it's just next man up, focus on your job, vacuum made up, left and right of you.

SPEAKER_02 13:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:12

That experience being embedded in that culture and then that expectation from the coaches and the team more broadly helps first grade. So before we talk to first grade, let's talk about how important reserve grade is to a strong first grade.

SPEAKER_03 13:27

Yeah, it's massive. To be able to have depth, that's the biggest thing, especially in bush footy, right? You could have a gun or a gun first grade side, but then it only takes a few injuries or suspensions, and you need to call upon your reserve grade, and then that's when things really have we been in that situation before? Yeah. Yeah, I have. Currently. But our reserve grade is so strong where and we're really instilling that message of that next man up, and we have that confidence in the reserve grade to come up to play first grade, and it has happened all year, and none of those players that have come up have let the first grade team down at all. So, yeah, to be able to have depth of a great reserve grade team helps first grade massively. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:17

Yeah. So look now, let's turn to first grade.

SPEAKER_03 14:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:22

We first game drew with force.

SPEAKER_02 14:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:26

Then next game we lost by a couple of points against Sims.

SPEAKER_02 14:31

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 14:31

And then, you know, it was kind of gone up and down as as time goes on. I spoke to Natty Lane a few weeks ago, and he said every single game that we play is a bit of a danger game for us, and we've we've got to win them to be in a really good position because at the moment we're growing between Orange Hawks, Orange Sims, and us for those, um, for that four and five position.

SPEAKER_03 14:53

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 14:53

Talk to me about this season so far. How would you describe it?

SPEAKER_03 15:00

It has been, from my point of view, the most comfortable I've felt for the senior squad, but let's say first grade team that I have probably since I've taken over the role. So yeah, just feel really comfortable about what we've put together. Um, feel really comfortable in the coaching and just how the boys have responded to that and what they're showing. Yeah, I I feel really, feel really nice about it.

SPEAKER_01 15:28

Talk to me about the the culture of the team. So they are a a bit of a tight-knit group, but you are right, people do come in from reserve grade and have also come in from A teens as well, which I think has been fantastic. Yeah. With Ryan George and Ross Brighton Reed, and it's just been fantastic to see that.

SPEAKER_00 15:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 15:46

That group, how would you describe their relationship and their connection right now? As an outsider?

SPEAKER_03 15:54

As an outsider, yeah. I'm not, I feel they're they're they're locked in at the moment. They're really buying into each other, what the message is, how they're going to get to where they want to be at the end of the season. Um, they're all in on it. So it's been it's a new team to a degree, like a lot of new faces from what we've had in the past couple of years. And I feel like it's taken a little bit of time to click. But I feel the last few weeks they're really fine in their groove, and yeah, I feel like they're they're buying into what that message is.

SPEAKER_01 16:28

So we've got two best friends as first grade coaches who tell me that they talk to each other five or six times a day.

SPEAKER_02 16:34

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 16:35

And I'm assuming that's not even between text messages, yeah. And everything else that happens.

SPEAKER_02 16:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 16:42

How would you describe the coaching of Ant and Matt this year?

SPEAKER_03 16:47

Yeah, they're probably a little bit yin and yang because um Ant can he's an intense dude. Ant wants perfection all the time. Always has. Always has. And Maddie can just bring him down a little bit and balance that out and send some different messages. But then on the flip side, when Maddie gets worked up, he'll go, and it's Ant that brings him down. So they're just I think it's just a nice balance between them. It's it's sort of nice to see from afar. But I just know that they both generally care about the whole club. You know, they Macquarie Raiders through and through. So whatever decisions they make, I know that it's best for the club or they have the best interests of the club at heart.

SPEAKER_01 17:32

When you are right, I'm laughing to myself because I can just recall all the footage that I have over the last three months of when Ants being super intense, and then Matt just out of nowhere will just blow up, right? And he's he doesn't have that many. I remember them saying to me, you don't have that many good blow-ups in you as a coach because eventually people stop listening. And the one time that I recall a spray was the Orange Sims. Because that was a game that was neck and neck, and it was really tough for us. Like we were, it was, it just kept going, you know, backwards and forwards. Yeah. And then you had this man stepping through the change room and just clearly articulate, yeah, not pulling any punches, very transparent, that you as a group of players and as a collective of men, you have more potential.

SPEAKER_02 18:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 18:35

How important is it having someone like that to tell people when they are against the ropes that you you can do this? It's like, like, how does how does someone like Matt get the best out of people?

SPEAKER_03 18:48

Yeah, I think and and you know, both of them. Yeah, both of them. Again, I think, you know, because they know, I think the messages are coming from someone that they know, like we said, they have the best interests of the club at heart, but also that playing group, and they just want the best for them. And for them, you know, they've had success with Macquarie. Both of them have won a premiership, a first grade premiership with Macquarie together, actually. So they know what it takes, and they want that so badly for this current group or any group that they're coaching. So I think their messages are just how they can get this playing group to get to where they want to be.

SPEAKER_01 19:26

Yeah, to get the best out of them. So, look, let's talk about the playing group, but I want to separate it. So I want to talk about the forward path because you've got someone like Justin Jimmy White, who is scoring not one try, two tries. He just he's you know the the one that will just always turn up. And then you've got you know, flaking him is Macca. Yeah, Macca, and then Jack.

SPEAKER_00 19:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:54

So those three players, and then Richard Peckham, and then you've got Kemo, like that forward pack. Yeah, very a lot of talent, yeah, a lot of experience, yeah, and a lot of relentlessness about them. Like I think Macca played 80 minutes.

SPEAKER_03 20:10

I had true, I fucking remember. I checked the stats yesterday, last night, but I think Macca did close 80 minutes, but he made something like 40 odd tackles, all the runs he went. Yeah, he ripped in.

SPEAKER_01 20:23

Yeah, just and he's he's a quiet achiever, right? Because he's he says and he is a man of few words, as is Jack.

SPEAKER_02 20:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:32

Man of very, very few words. Does love a lolly though, can confirm does love one of those lollies with the little sustents in them because he will grab 20 of them at a time. But talk to me about that forward pack as it sits now. What makes us really strong? What what will make it, you know, what actually why people, why are other teams weary of us?

SPEAKER_03 20:54

Because I think they know with that pack in particular, it there's gonna be the effort, and there's gonna be the effort there for 80 minutes, and they're not gonna give up. So I think any team that comes up as against us, I think they're just gonna know that they're gonna be in for a fight for 80 minutes, and they're probably gonna be hurting after the game just because it's gonna be tough. Because that's what we want to base ourselves on, and I think that's what they give.

SPEAKER_01 21:22

So back to Jack. Yeah, let's talk about his game because against Forbes, obviously, grand final last year, they did want to come back with the vengeance last weekend, yeah, after losing to Sims again. Yeah. But talk to me about Jack and just why is he that's your cousin. Why is he so tough?

SPEAKER_03 21:42

He's got no respect for his body whatsoever. He plays so tough. And what people probably don't know, I don't know if he knows wants people to know, but like what he does off the field to get himself ready for each game, like it's not unusual for him to have to get pain, you know, killing. Needles and stuff before a game, and he's just willing to do it. But yeah, he goes out there and no respect for his body and throws everything he has into it.

SPEAKER_01 22:08

He really is a ride or die for the industries, isn't he?

SPEAKER_03 22:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:11

Um, let's talk about Captain Cameron Dedis. And Camo has been around this team for a very long time.

SPEAKER_02 22:19

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 22:20

He is also a man of very, very few words.

SPEAKER_02 22:23

He is.

SPEAKER_01 22:24

But what is it like having someone who you know, even though he doesn't say much, you know he will show you everything and he will give you everything that there is. So talk to me about Camo and what he means for this club.

SPEAKER_03 22:37

Yeah, Chemo is a massive part of what we were trying to build around this club for the last couple of years, and he was the first person we re-signed after last year. Um, just because he showed so much of what we want to be as a club and on the playing field. He's such a respectful person. Um he lives a healthy lifestyle now. Um, so he's just a real role model to not only the senior playing group, but you know, looking at our juniors and our girls to look at someone like Kemo, who um he's just so respectful, like I said, humble man of words, but leads by his actions. Um he's a great dude.

SPEAKER_01 23:22

Also your favourite knockout player.

SPEAKER_03 23:24

Also my favourite knockout player. Especially that try for Burke, the kick through and that chase scores that try, and that just shows that's a big part of Camo right there, and just that one try for Burke, right? Just that effort. Yeah, you know, the game's nearly done, and he's that one springing down there, cleans the ball up, scores a try.

SPEAKER_01 23:43

Always looking for opportunity. It was it's yeah, he is a phenomenal player, and yeah, very grateful that he is a part of the the Burke team, obviously. He's with my two brothers, Corphian Tony as well. Yeah, and we will be back.

SPEAKER_00 23:55

This is the year.

SPEAKER_01 24:00

I swear to God, every it just randomly I'll be laying in bed and I'll just look at the roof and I'll think, oh nah, try to gone tiny pillows. But anyway, lucky you gave me a nephew a couple of days later. Um, all right, so now let's talk about the backs of our first grade team because we've had Mason that's been off with an injury.

SPEAKER_03 24:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:20

Um, being married himself went out there playing with the knockout injury, neck in it. Um well, not a stupid, badly a snuff. Yeah, um, but injury there, unfortunately. Yeah, um, injury for him, unfortunately, that kept him on the sideline for several weeks. But you know, one of the things about Mason as well, which is really important, is that despite having the boot, he still came over to training every single day.

SPEAKER_00 24:43

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:43

Was a part of the conversations, giving feedback, giving some advice to people, listening to like he was still an active part of that. Um, so we've got Mason in the back there, and then you've got Nuns who was moved to um, I think nonce is playing in like the forwards and then second row right, and now he's moved to the centers. Who's getting past him?

SPEAKER_03 25:02

Oh, he's a freak.

SPEAKER_01 25:04

He is yeah, he's drill right. And then you've got Harry who has moved from the bench to now just unleashing in in the competition, right? Like the boot, I I know that Matt said there was a time that he's just goal kicking alone has won games. Yeah. So talk to me about we may not be the fastest team. I think. I mean, that's easy for me to say. But I don't think we are the fastest team. But I'll tell you what, we are very, very reliable in the back.

SPEAKER_03 25:37

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 25:38

Talk to me about their culture of the back line.

SPEAKER_03 25:42

Yeah, so I think similar to to a degree, similar to the Ford pack, there's always going to be that effort there. Um and Harry just controls them. You know, great kicking game. Like you said, we go up by sixes now most of the time, which is huge. Just even for that other team, I think the mentality of going, oh, we need to go up by sixes, or otherwise we need to score more tries, you know, it's just a big part of that game. Yeah, Felice. We all know we all love Felice. He is a freak and he takes all the those those runs that probably no one else wants to take, as does Chuck on the wing. And then I think Wyndham, you know, at 5'8, he's probably that little X factor, you know, he's the creative person. Um, and lets Harry do his thing, and then when Wyndham wants a ball in to create, I think that's where it goes. So it's sort of coming together, I feel. Like I said, it's again, it's all new combinations. Took a while to click, but I feel like the last few weeks it's all starting to click pretty well.

SPEAKER_01 26:45

I do want to talk about there is someone I think is actually incredibly fast in our team, Clayton. Clayton Daily. Clayton, like Gone McCaffrey Freeman. Like his gents on that, on him is just phenomenal. Very, he's a good character, right? Like he's he's a good person to have around your team.

SPEAKER_02 27:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 27:03

Funny, witty, very, you know, larger than life kind of personality.

SPEAKER_03 27:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 27:08

Talk to me about him, like, because he's he's I think we've got to give Uh Clayton a couple of things.

SPEAKER_03 27:13

Clayton's a good dude, and he's been around with us for for a long time now as well. You know, one of those dudes who just, you know, you don't have to worry about, oh, I'm might be going to another club or this and that. He's just wants to be with us for the right reasons. And he's he's he's good fun. Um, but yeah, he's quick, real quick.

SPEAKER_01 27:33

Yeah, yeah. Very, very fast. Two other people I do want to speak about. One is Chuck.

SPEAKER_02 27:39

Chuck.

SPEAKER_01 27:40

Very unassuming, right? Because you think winger, tall, lanky, very lean, yeah, tough as nails, like will put his body on the line, obviously being the youngest of those three brothers. But yeah, how is how has Chuck matured over the last couple of years and and stepping stepping into this role in the position that he's got now? Because he's really commanding it, and he is not. Yeah, if someone wants that position, you better be really, really good, you know.

SPEAKER_03 28:10

Yeah, Chuck's, yeah, obviously I love him, he's my cousin anyway, but he's one of those blokes that I think every footy team means, right? Because he is a Larrykin as well, and he just has this good fun vibe and probably creates people, makes people laugh, more so maybe because of some of the dumb things he does. But he's just one of those people people love to be around. But then you're right, on the footy field, he's taking all those massive runs from the back of the field that no one wants to do. Sometimes gets smashed, doesn't stop him. He just keeps going, and yeah, he's he's having a very good year.

SPEAKER_01 28:49

Yeah, he's he's he's just he's just almost it's like the the switch just clicks, right? Like it just it's it's it's he's like this fun, cool guy, and then he's on the field, and if you're gonna run it in, you better write at him with everything that you got because he doesn't he's not gonna let you get easy meters, which I um yeah, sitting on a dead ball line, I see that all the time. Now, the other person I want to talk about is Winnie. The football IQ on that man is phenomenal. Yeah, right? Like I I released a video a couple of weeks ago, a couple of days ago about him on the after Forbes had just scored a try it, and his observation of the game, so he can see these things and then he can quickly analyse what is happening and then what needs to be done next. Talk to me about how important that football IQ is for someone that plays in the hearts.

SPEAKER_03 29:45

Well, you've got pretty good genes, I guess. Um, but it's massive, you know, because he's in one of those positions that are one of the most accountable positions on the field, you know, whether the result's going our way or it's going against, you know, if it's going against probably all the attentions on, you know, whether he performed or not, and vice versa, is when we're winning, it's oh, you know, Winnie had a great game. So there's a lot of pressure, I guess, on his shoulders a little bit to have that creative side and to spark the uh our attack, but he just takes it in his stride. You know, he's a pretty laid back sort of dude as well. Um high energy, um, but he's a great fella, cares a lot. So I think all those things makes him get out and do what he does. It just seems so natural to him, I feel.

SPEAKER_01 30:38

Oh, it just does it. I and I'm sure that it's not, I'm sure that he does have to work hard at things, but he just is it's amazing to watch him play when he's when his car and when his children is enjoying himself, he will be he's very, very hard to stop.

SPEAKER_02 30:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:54

And his energy is just infectious around the team. You know, he's always laughing, always smiling, which I I really um I think is so helpful to an intense environment, particularly on game day. Um, and then he's able to kind of switch. So, all right, look, um, enough compliments about the first grade because we are four fantastic teams.

SPEAKER_00 31:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:17

So, look, just want to talk a little bit about our club. And you know, we've got a long history. We've spoken um on a couple of occasions about what it's like to have people like Mr. Frost around, I don't even know what Mr. Frost's first name is. Steve.

SPEAKER_03 31:34

Steve. Steve Frost. But he likes Mr. Frost.

SPEAKER_01 31:36

He likes Mr. Frost. And Murph, you know, like those two men who has been strappers for our club for a really long time. How important is it to have medical staff or, you know, training staff around a team that just give that have so much care and compassion and desire to support your team and your players?

SPEAKER_03 32:00

Yeah, it's it's a big part. And it's all them volunteering their time. That they care about the players. And, you know, it's a massive advantage for the players to, if they have some sort of knee-ling injury or something, it doesn't feel right, to be able to just go into the shed and speak to those two blokes and they go, right, I know what's going on, or let's just do this. I'll quickly strap it up and we'll get you back out there. And it's just not they can take that thought away and concentrate on footy. You know, I'm not sure. You know, all clubs have great volunteers and strappers and stuff like that, but uh, you know, we're tremendously lucky to have those two because I feel like they're at the top of their game, you know, particularly Murph for doing it so long.

SPEAKER_01 32:46

Yeah, it's it's just the trust that you can see that the players have in in the word that comes from Mr. Frost of Murph that you'll be right or you're not gonna be right, and this is what I recommend you do now, and they've listened rather than argue and and then it might not even be strapping.

SPEAKER_03 33:02

They might be just in there like it's like it's counseling session, the amount of crap that they they talk with each other, you know. So that it's not even that, you know, just talking to talking to the players and whatever it might be.

SPEAKER_01 33:15

There is one person that I also did forget to that I did forget to talk about. I've seen the stats and I see the stats Maris Week that we have.

SPEAKER_00 33:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 33:24

Well, every week actually. Blake Frost.

SPEAKER_00 33:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 33:28

Consistent. Yeah. Like just off in the middle and just always around the ruck. What how would you describe Frosty when it comes to his his presence, but also his commitment to his team? Well, one true to his his fitness, because he was he is one of the fittest. He's solid. Yeah. Um and then yeah, he's he's he's there's if there's one way that I can describe Foster Frosty, it's actually excellence, right? Because there are just he will do everything, and then the one potatoes.

SPEAKER_03 34:04

Yeah, definitely. And he's had a couple of setbacks with some bad injuries and spent a little bit of time away from the club. But um, yeah, since he's come back, he's super fit, Mr. Reliable. Whatever you ask him to do, he'll do it, and he'll do it to the best he can.

SPEAKER_01 34:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 34:21

And yeah, he just won't stop.

SPEAKER_01 34:23

On and off the field, too. On and off the field. You know, like there was no one that wanted to try content. Yeah. And he was like, Yeah, I'll do it. No questions asked. And then, you know.

SPEAKER_03 34:33

What bundling mess was me originally?

SPEAKER_01 34:36

Oh, that that two-minute video that we released took 48 minutes too court, but it doesn't matter, right? He had a crack at it and he didn't give up and he persevered. And I think having people like Frosty around your team will just let you know when when you think that things aren't going to grow your way, just the next person is gonna have your back anyway. Even if you think he can't do it right now, I'll do it for you, mate, and we'll be right. Yeah, we'll get there. So, talking about we're in the second half of the season now, we've got some day two games, as Matt um Elaine has shared a few times. What are your hopes and aspirations this year for us?

SPEAKER_03 35:13

Well, it's always gonna be to win the comp. Like, you shouldn't be here if your goal is not to win the comp. So that's the big one. But you know, it is a bit of that cliche of taking it each week at a time, and that's what we have to do. Every game, deal with it for what it is, and try to win, and then just put ourselves in the best position we possibly can to be playing finals footy. Uh, hopefully get in that top four if we are playing finals footy, and then once that starts, it's a whole new ball game again. But the ultimate goal for all four teams is to lift that trophy.

SPEAKER_01 35:50

That's it. All right, so look, I want to talk to you now. In a couple of weeks, we there's gonna be a very special round for our club, which is in honour of your brother who passed away many, many years ago. Do you want to talk to us a little bit about who Perry is? Yep, and what he means to this club.

SPEAKER_03 36:11

Yep. So it'll be the ten ten years since his passing, 2016 Perry passed away. So yeah, he was uh bit of a as a as a kid, like he was this chubby little blonde thing, like he was the youngest of the siblings, so Kendall's the older sister on the middle. Perry was the youngest, but we're all pretty close in age, and then even across the family, you know, with the Kempston boys and um the Wygolds, my like you know, my other cousins, we were just a super close family, and um, but Perry, he was the youngest, he was sort of this chubby blonde kid, but there was just something about him, you know. He had this oh I don't know how you describe it, but I guess this little aura about him. He was it was just something different about him. Like um he always he always wanted to be involved in whatever was going on, um, have a crack at anything, and um, and then that probably translated later in life of like his his footy, like he what he meant to the club. He just he won a premiership in 2012 in first grade, and that was coming out of juniors, not exactly sure, but like it was only a couple of years out of juniors. So yeah, when it all went down in 2016, it was massive and a massive loss to the club, and yeah, we're still, I guess, recovering a little bit from it and picking up the pieces. So having the round that we do for him every year is always very special.

SPEAKER_01 37:53

One of the things that I know happens when anybody mentions Perry's name is a smile.

SPEAKER_02 38:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:03

I know that there is certainly some pain and grief that will always sit there for a lot of people and whatever go away.

SPEAKER_00 38:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 38:11

That people have incredible memories of him. What what made him such a unique human?

SPEAKER_03 38:18

Uh it's it's hard to describe sometimes because, you know, try to think, but yeah, there was just something about him, like he is sort of one of those blokes that sort of lit up the room, or he's like very infectious, right? Like if you were with Perry, you knew you were gonna have a good time. Especially like in you know, adult life or as he got older and going out and and having a good time. But even younger, you know, he just had a great group of mates, and um, everyone loved to be around him, and he'd just give his awe to everything. But yeah, if you were with Perry, you especially outside of footy, um, just as a person, you you knew you were gonna have a good time no matter what. He just had a bit of the wild side that people loved, and um yeah, and people have a lot of great memories because of that. So um yeah, he was just a he was a special person, just he just had that. I don't know, it's hard to describe. He had just something about him that gravitated people towards. They loved him, and yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:24

One of the things that I do know is that this club is full of Perry's friends.

SPEAKER_02 39:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:30

Obviously family, but a lot of friends where you've got people like Tommy and and Aunt and do you know all those guys that have been around.

SPEAKER_03 39:38

I know some of them are probably a bit older than what Perry was, but they're all, you know, if they're all mates, they're all there'sn't there isn't kind of a separation between brothers and no, and you know, like us growing up as well, or all of us, you know, even though Perry was a couple of years younger than me, and like his his group of friends are still some of my best mates, and my best mates are best mates with some of he, like, we're all it's all mixed together. There was no like that's just what it was like growing up. So now, like, yeah, there's so many pockets of people that have, you know, sort of memories of Perry or being involved with Perry for all different reasons, whether it's work, footy, socialising, um, getting in a fight with him, whatever it might have been, you know.

SPEAKER_01 40:24

So Yeah, I heard you laughing for her hands.

SPEAKER_03 40:26

Yeah, different to me.

SPEAKER_01 40:28

Negotiator over you.

SPEAKER_03 40:30

Yeah, that's right. But but he was one of those blokes that then even if you probably did have a blue with him or if particularly on the footy field or something like that, he's then you're most likely then having a beer with him after when yeah. So he just he was just that type of dude.

SPEAKER_01 40:47

Maybe it's not fair to say that he liked the throwing hands, but I think it's fair to say that if he needed to, he would he would, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 40:54

And even maybe sometimes when he didn't need to, but anyway. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 40:58

Um, so look, talk to me about you know Perry's legacy and you know, what your family's been through and what you know community's been through and what has happened to him. How important is it to have continue to have conversations about you know social and emotional well-being?

SPEAKER_03 41:16

Yeah, it's huge. And like I said, it's been 10 years since and I say Perry passed away, but I guess to be clear to the audience, he committed suicide. So um hence why we're talking about this message. And you know, 10 years is a long time, and even back then it's probably a a thing of you know, mental health and talking about things probably wasn't, you know, as out there as it is now. I think it's getting closer to where it should be, but we're still a long way off. But it's important to show that message that, you know, it is okay if things aren't going right, and well, they're whatever that might be, you know, everyone has their own stories and things that are going on in their lives, but we just need to get to a stage, like I think, where we just feel comfortable to talk about it, you know, or or to reach out, or just to stop and take a breath and figure out, you know, how to better yourself. Um so that's big part of what the the round is about. Big part is remembering Perry and that legacy and what it's about. And then the second part of it is to really get that message out to the community, to our clubs, to all the clubs, that you know, it's important that we have these conversations because we don't want this to be happening to anyone else. And it is still happening, unfortunately, but yeah.

SPEAKER_01 42:42

What advice would you give to someone who is, I mean, football teams are in incredible places for people to connect and um to be with each other because a very strong brotherhood and and sisterhood that is um that sit does sit in these spaces. But for someone who, if you are the person who is starting to feel overwhelmed or feel like you know, you you are struggling, you're not you know sure how to kind of move forward with things, what advice would you give to that person in terms of connecting to people around you?

SPEAKER_03 43:15

My advice is just just to talk, you know, like tomorrow's another day, right? Today can be the worst day of your life, so you think, and you know, the whole world's blowing up and whatever it might be. But if we can sit down and talk to each other, get it out there, tomorrow's another day. And that's you know, the big message of I yeah, I think that I'd try to get out there, and what we try to get out as a club is just to be comfortable and create that comfortable environment to be able to have a conversation with someone. It doesn't have to be to everyone or someone you're not comfortable with, but find that person that you can be comfortable with so you can have that. Conversation. So yeah, so tomorrow is another day.

SPEAKER_01 44:04

And what about the people who you know you might know someone that you're aware of is having a hard time? And if you are that support person, or even if you want to step in to be that support person and hold space for that for someone, how should someone go about doing that?

SPEAKER_03 44:21

I as a club, you know, I feel that we have that within, you know, just naturally of just being around each other and stuff like that, and just then having that willingness to seek someone out. But I feel there's especially now, there is so many different like, you know, living's on board with us. But there is a lot of things out in the community um that you can reach out to that you can find that help. But part of it, right, is that you need to want that help as well. Like the more you don't speak or you hold it or keep it behind a wall or within your house or whatever it's going on. The help's out there, but you have to be willing to find it as well, I feel.

SPEAKER_01 45:05

Yeah. You know, think as as someone if you're you are someone who is supporting with self, it's supporting someone or you want to support someone that you know is is having a hard time. It's just to be consistent with offering that support and being there. And yeah, it's not if you ask someone, are they okay? And you know that they're not okay and they say, Yeah, I'm fine. It's it's you know, consistently checking in over a longer period of time. Just so no one so people don't know that they're alone. Yeah, that's because it's the one of the the things that I love the most is that a problem shared is a problem halved.

SPEAKER_03 45:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 45:38

I love that.

SPEAKER_03 45:39

Yeah. And they might not see, like you said, the first time, oh I'm sweet. Second time, oh good. And it could be the third time, whatever time, you know what, I'm not okay.

SPEAKER_01 45:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 45:51

And then and it's open up and let's fix it.

SPEAKER_01 45:54

Yeah, you'd be surprised how much that consistency of the ask will show someone that you really do care about them. Yeah. That you want to pulse face within and support them.

SPEAKER_02 46:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 46:08

So thank you so much for sharing that because I know that other thing, um, you know, I know that you, you know, as someone who has lost, you know, very close to family member as well, you know, is pretty much the brother, you know, there. It's I know how hard it is still to talk about that part of you that is still here for email. So there's not true. There is one more thing that I do want to talk about, yeah, which is round 13. We are taking on Doubo Sims.

SPEAKER_00 46:37

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 46:38

Horing gang, they got us last round.

SPEAKER_00 46:42

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 46:44

What is this? What are we doing? Let's let's unpack this, right? Yeah. Let's talk about this this game though, between Doubo Makori Raiders and Doubo Sims.

SPEAKER_03 46:53

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 46:54

What is this bravery look?

SPEAKER_03 46:57

Well, it's been there forever, you know, so and it's a fitting way to have, you know, Perry's round and round 13 is, you know, that number that he he wore, and and he loved the local derby, you know, like live for it. Um and he had good mates, and it always is the way, you know, there's good mates playing good mates, but you know, the hate's real. Like, let's just be honest. And and it's great for footy, like local derbies are everywhere, you know. NRLs, roots is and the rabbites here in Dubbo, it's Macquarie and Sims, and you know, that rivalry is real and the the hatred's real, but so yeah, both teams want it, and they're they're the like, and you know, I'm not too proud to say like they're the benchmark, and they have been for many years, and that's what we're you know, striving to be like, but the dub is always good.

SPEAKER_01 47:54

It's such a good game. I just can't believe that's where um but look, that game is on, it's a sad day game here for us. I think it's the 25th of July. Yeah, um, at Apex, we are hosting that weekend. Um it's gonna be a fantastic game. What are you expecting from that weekend? Or even the the lead up actually talk to me about what you're expecting. What's the feeling feeling like between this local derby? Because it is a real thing, right?

SPEAKER_00 48:22

Like it's yeah, it's a real thing.

SPEAKER_01 48:23

It's a proper thing. I I don't think I was completely across that until this year. Yeah, obviously, being around with the camera, you get to see and feel what different things, but like it's intense. It's the whole week before that first whistle of first grade. Yeah, it's on actually of all the grades, particularly first grade. Yeah, it's on.

SPEAKER_03 48:46

Yeah, yeah, and it's the talk of the town, you know. I didn't double is for you know, Rabby League, it's it's a Rabbi League town, so yeah.

SPEAKER_01 48:55

Sorry, Union. Sorry, great game, sort of, but no, no, I do like winning actually. I do like the rules are going great this year. Some of the rhinos, the rhinos are doing well too.

SPEAKER_03 49:07

Anyway, let's talk about them.

SPEAKER_01 49:08

The week odd, intense week.

SPEAKER_03 49:10

Intense week, big lead up. Everyone's talking about it, it'll be on the news, people will be talking about it on the radio, everyone will be talking about you know who's playing, who's out, who has an injury. Um yeah, it's just it's a thing. It's but it's great. I love it. It's great for footy. Um, and it gets a big crowd up there, and hopefully it's a great game of footy, or four great games of footy, actually.

SPEAKER_01 49:36

It's going to be incredible. So we would absolutely love for everyone to come along with that game and watch it and come in your blue, yes, come in white, and just get ready because we know that the pond are gonna be there and they're gonna be there with the vendors.

SPEAKER_03 49:53

That's right.

SPEAKER_01 49:54

Um, what do we need to do to beat that team?

SPEAKER_03 49:56

I think we gotta just keep doing what we're building towards. We're gonna be an 80-minute team full of effort, and that other team has to play for the 80 minutes to beat us.

SPEAKER_01 50:07

And how much are you hoping that Jai Chapman doesn't play that weekend?

SPEAKER_03 50:12

No, I want Chapo to play.

SPEAKER_01 50:14

We all want Chapo to play.

SPEAKER_03 50:15

I want their best team to be out there just as uh much as I want our best team to be out there and see what happens.

SPEAKER_01 50:21

Yeah, sorry, let's go. School prediction. Actually, don't. Let's not do that. Let's not do that. Let's not do school predictions. Okay, all right, so we've talked about a lot today. Our first episode for the Quarry Raiders podcast. Jared, thank you so much for sharing so much with me and talking to me about your brother. I appreciate that. And I know that a lot of our community that are connected to the Raiders would love to. Um, you know, love hearing that you talk about him. So thank you so much.

SPEAKER_03 50:48

Appreciate you having me.

SPEAKER_01 50:49

Let's go. Let's see what 2026.