who represents the dockers beware the swans the lions found that out week one of finals when they went to the scg and they lost on the back of what had been a scandal ridden few weeks for the sydney football club um do you have to adopt the same mentality just beware of the swans

yeah i think like i mean people there's obviously been a lot of media attention with sydney this past month but people kind of are tending to forget that they did finish second on the ladder and You know, they only have a few guys that were probably starters out and the rest of their team is still very strong.

They've replaced it with guys that are very experienced.

So I don't think that we go in there thinking they're going to not be at their best.

You know, we have to expect every team at their best.

And Sydney, who's, you know, been second on the ladder for most of the season, to be honest, there's a reason for that.

So we have to be able to respect the opposition in that manner.

Haven't

What happened? Was that lack of experience with finals? Did you guys hold back some of your best players? It wasn't what we're used to with Frio this season.

Yeah, it was a rough way to start finals.

It definitely wasn't our best game by any means.

And in front of a home crowd was frustrating, no doubt.

But yeah, I think we just kind of went back to the well and just kind of, you know, returned to what really made us good throughout the year of being a pressure team and everything else.

And sometimes it's better just to simplify things.

I mean, Hawthorne's a good damn team.

As a player, does Wharfie time actually make a difference to you?

What happened? Was that lack of experience with finals? Did you guys hold back some of your best players? It wasn't what we're used to with Frio this season.

Yeah, it was a rough way to start finals.

It definitely wasn't our best game by any means.

And in front of a home crowd was frustrating, no doubt.

But yeah, I think we just kind of went back to the well and just kind of, you know, returned to what really made us good throughout the year of being a pressure team and everything else.

And sometimes it's better just to simplify things.

I mean, Hawthorne's a good damn team.

As a player, does Wharfie time actually make a difference to you?

I might start that.

Yeah, I mean, I'm definitely going to start it because he's my teammate.

He's obviously proven the point at the moment.

So, you know, Brodie, I think no one would, I don't think anyone would kind of have a conversation against him being in the top three, you know, has been for years and years and years, and a formidable opponent that we're going to have to really kind of figure out this week.

He's a good friend, but, you know, finals aren't made for friends.

So, yeah, it's going to be an interesting little experience, him and Luke going up against each other, and I guess a little bit of support from myself and And then – but, yeah, he's – I don't know.

I think Luke Jackson, he's got so many different ways that he can kind of expose you.

Next topic here, 20 minutes plus time on is the perfect match duration and should never change.

How much when you're doing the oppo analysis this week are you focusing on what they were in round eight versus what they became later in the season, even though you didn't come up against them?

Yeah, I think we, we look at both.

It's probably...

I don't know what the split would be, if it's 50-50 or, or something else.

But we look at kinda some of their more recent games.

You look at some of the footage that gets kinda pulled up in some of the team meetings.

You look at the way they move the ball and how that's changed and, um, yeah, some different kinda magnets thrown around, stuff like that, 'cause obviously it's not the same team that we probably played round six or eight or whatever it was.

Mm.

Yeah

...

but yeah, the weather's the biggest kinda difference, I think.

And it's a bit more of a relaxed town.

There's a bit more space, a bit more, um, things to kinda go see from a nature standpoint.

Like, I've been all the way up to Exmouth.

I've gone down to Margaret River.

Yeah.

but do you think you play better when they were here because i know they were here recently at a game in

melbourne oh yeah 100 um you know there's special people in your life that make a lot of sacrifices like you have for joel and you know i think whenever you get to you know i actually texted joel this and i said you know how special to have your mom or mum be able to do a performance for you because it is yeah but I think there's moments in life whenever you get to involve people that you know have seen you in your journey throughout your whole time and that just gives some extra you know it just makes the whole situation and you know occasion that much bigger and better and that makes you play better and just enjoy life a bit more I think I

What's your favorite thing about Perth?

The beaches are quite nice.

I would say the people are really lovely also.

A lot of fans of football, so it's tough to escape football in a sense.

But everyone, obviously, the fact that we've been winning so many games this year, everyone's been so supportive.

And that's been really lovely, I think.

Yeah

...

in a weird way.

Uh, I've got a lot of respect and friends and amazing people I've met throughout my time here, including y'all.

Um, but it is, it is weird coming back and seeing things change and you not realize it, and then, um, you know, you just, you learn that people just kinda move on in life and, uh, continue.

How good.

Yeah, we were playing Hawthorn, whenever it was, and we came back and ended up winning that game by a few goals.

So it's a, it's a bit of a vibe, though, 'cause you just, all of a sudden there's energy out of nowhere.

... 'cause you're 95 foot tall

...

it didn't work.

[laughs] Well, ironically, I, um, within the first week, uh, you know, I, I move into my place and stuff and I'd walk down the street, and probably the other tallest person in all of Australia is actually living next door to me, and it's, uh-

Oh, good.

I think we were playing Hawthorne, whenever it was, and we came back and ended up winning that game by a few goals.

So it's a, it's a bit of a vibe, though, 'cause you just, all of a sudden this energy out of nowhere just kinda just brings this whole place and just lifts it, and the place just goes absolutely nuts.

How big is the rivalry over

there, the Western Derby? Yeah, I'm not sure if it's Derby or Derby or whatever, but to be honest with you, it's pretty crazy, man.

There's a lot of hatred towards each club.

Obviously, there's the mainstays of your arch rivals of Carlton Collingwood and all that kind of stuff, and I feel like being obviously the only two teams over in WA, you're really one or the other, and there's no in-between.

So, yeah, it's definitely a massive...

I think the whole state and the whole city kind of goes a bit nuts for it, and it just allows for a little bit of trash talk between everyone at work in the next morning and throughout the week.

So it's...

So, what happens? Are they going to put a highlight reel up about your career?

Yeah

... obviously there's the mainstays of, um, you know, your arch rivals of Carlton, Collingwood, and all that kind of stuff.

And I feel like being obviously the two, only two teams over in WA, it's, um...

You're either one or the other, and there's no in between.

So yeah, it's definitely, um, a massive...

I think the whole kind of s- you know, the whole state and the whole city kind of goes a bit nuts for it, and it just allows for a little bit of trash talk between everyone at work and the next morning and, uh, throughout the week.

So it's, um, yeah, it's a big deal.

Yeah

And Brits, Aussies, people from all over the world, they're just dunking ranch dressing in absolutely everything.

That's what Americans do.

That thing is just pure fat.

I got Hidden Valley Ranch is the OG.

They don't really have it here at all, but you can get like, I think ranch dressing packets or something and try to make it yourself, but it's never the same.

But yeah, it's, it's kind of weird.

Everyone kind of, obviously with the world cup being, there's a lot of international laws that have come to the U S Mexico and also Canada.

perfect example.

No,

I think the dating scene is unique.

You know, I've been here for 11 years.

I haven't found a missus.

Nearly.

Which is kind of crazy in Melbourne.

Taxes.

Courtney

Mm

...

but, um, I moved to Perth for the next at least two years in a contract.

And, uh, I'm back here.

I've got a game this weekend, so I'm back here, and, uh, who better to catch up with than yourself?

Absolutely.

Like, you're, you're one of the...

You know, I've met some amazing people in Australia, and I think, you know, meeting people like yourself has made this experience so much better for me.

Um, you must be really thankful, uh, to be running around with the Dockers.

Yeah.

It's, um, it's a great opportunity and, um, it kind of not necessarily came out of nowhere.

It was the third time I think they tried to recruit me, and the third time's a charm, as they say.

So, um, yeah, it's, uh...

Things kind of d- uh, ended abruptly at the old mob.

And, um, you know, whenever you got that call to be able to extend your career, um, and be able to continue to try to accomplish something special in, uh, in life, you know, it was, uh, something I kinda wanted to go and do and, uh, you know, be able to try to bring success to another club.

Yeah