assert himself I even went to Europe for a month there he took the reins of host I just can't wait to see what Tobes can do post football career you know what I reckon Tobes might do a bit more of it now that he's at Geelong so yeah Tobes and Jezza as well but yeah it's been an exciting year obviously days you've taken us to the next level but yeah Tobes you certainly took it to the next level this year don't you reckon?

Yeah, it was good fun, and you got your money's worth with the out-of-contract stuff, so that was good.

It was different.

I guess not many people love speaking openly and honestly about everything that was going on, especially during that process, which was, I guess, a bit unique and probably good for people to hear, but it was something that certainly wrestled with a lot more post-season as well.

But, no, I did really enjoy it.

And, yeah, I do love starting to really get my head around the media stuff.

It's been good fun.

Have you done anything like that yet? No, I

Like, when did it click?

Oh, I was certainly leaning that way for a few days leading up to it, but, you know, I couldn't really, you know, be decisive and say, oh, that's what I'm doing.

And then by Wednesday night, sort of sat down with mom and Georgia and, you Had Paul on the phone.

I said, oh, yeah, bang.

Let's do it.

Let's go.

That was pretty late, like 9, 9.30. And then – so then I was like, well, how are we going to do this? And I knew – well, Cogs was in Europe, and so I knew like 7 a.m.

What do you think, Tobes?

Now that weight is off your shoulders, how exciting is it to enter this next sort of evolution of your career?

Yeah, it certainly gives you a little kick and a little, I guess, you've got a fair bit to prove the next couple of years and hopefully I can do that and make an impact.

Yeah, because 15 years of...

You know, really, I guess, beating the Giants drum and something I've loved and enjoyed and really loved the club.

And that's why it was a hard decision.

But, yeah, it is in terms of footy perspective, it is a great new challenge.

And, yeah, I want to achieve something there.

How did you find the whole experience?

Now that weight is off your shoulders, how exciting is it to enter this next sort of evolution of your career?

Yeah, it certainly gives you a little kick and a little, I guess, you've got a fair bit to prove the next couple of years and hopefully I can do that and make an impact.

Yeah, because 15 years of...

You know, really, I guess, beating the Giants drum and something I've loved and enjoyed and really loved the club.

And that's why it was a hard decision.

But, yeah, it is, in terms of footy perspective, it is a great new challenge.

And, yeah, I want to achieve something there.

How did you find the whole experience?

Was it a crystallising moment? How did you get there?

Oh, it was, well, yeah, it was the first, so I met Geelong on Monday, I think, after the wildcard weekend.

So then from about then, I started to really think about it and thought, okay, this is a real possibility.

Yeah, like at round one at the start of the year, it's not really ever something I thought would happen.

So it wasn't until we sort of, you know, and I didn't want to really think about it all during the season.

I was captain and had responsibility and wanted to do the right thing by the footy club and knew that me and George would have a discussion at the end of the year and weigh it up.

And so we met Geelong on that Monday and then left there going, oh.

why, why are you leaving the Giants? Can you, can you articulate it?

I'm not sure what's your read on Lockie Whitfield Toby

He won't go to Tassie, I don't think.

Yeah, it probably shocked him into thinking, I guess, in the last couple of weeks.

And, yeah, and you're right about his young family, and I'm sure that'll continue to grow.

And, yeah, and he said openly that he'll move back to Victoria after footy.

So, yeah, it's an interesting one and has a bit to think about, I guess, over the next few weeks and so do the Giants.

But, yeah, he's a great player still and had a really good year.

With

Was it a crystallising moment? How did you get there?

Oh, it was, well, yeah, it was the first, so I met Geelong on Monday, I think, after the wildcard weekend.

So then, from about then, I started to really think about it and thought, okay, this is a real possibility, like...

Yeah, like at round one at the start of the year, it's not really ever something I thought would happen.

So it wasn't until we sort of, you know, and I didn't want to really think about it all during the season.

I was captain and had responsibility and wanted to do the right thing by the footy club and knew that me and George would have a discussion at the end of the year and weigh it up.

And so we met Geelong on that Monday and then left there going, oh.

why, why are you leaving the Giants? Can you, can you articulate it?

Mm

... which is good for Melbourne, uh, good for, good for the game.

Uh, the pre...

The, like, in-game entertainment during, like, the ad breaks, which is the TV ad breaks, is not a necess- uh, it's not necessary to be, like, a three-minute break, but then they have a band playing, like, on field.

I thought that's just...

Like, 'cause it...

I, I don't know.

What do you think the solution would be for them to get more people in the doors?

What do you think of Danger's performance?

Oh, I thought it was funny.

Like, when he gets in that mood, you can just tell.

Like, I, so I sort of joked about it 'cause I was doing a bit of commentary.

I said, "Mate, he's- he doesn't try sometimes in season, like, I swear." [laughs] But then, like, when he flicks the switch, he, um, he, he just gets, like, he gets in beast mode and wins contests ahead of the footy, kicks goals.

Look, just looked like he, every time the ball was kicked near him, he was gonna either win it or k- kick a goal.

So, um, yeah, his contests to head the ball's as good as anyone still, and um, yeah, he sort of saves himself, I reckon, a little bit for finals, and as he should.

Who do you see really leveling up?

a- and let the, the listeners in a little bit on what that's like, that experience?

Yeah.

I...

Yeah, I guess it all...

With Geelong, it was just a...

It was a really open discussion and I sort of said, "This is what I...

This is all the things I'm thinking about, and this is what I wrestle with.

How, how are you finding the adjustment?

Dale's house in the face?

Yeah, it was good.

It was really good, yeah.

The Bulldogs fans loved it.

They hate you, don't they? Yeah, they attacked me in the car after the game, which was funny.

LAUGHTER We need a bit more than that.

What are they doing? Well, it was at Marvel and then they weren't happy.

Did you ever get to share a dinner with him or –

Talk to me about this one.

Yeah.

It was, uh...

It's not the first time I've done it.

I'm sort of a little bit renowned.

Well, this one was bad though because...

So I went to try...

So, um, to make it less awkward, help me out here and tell me what plays out, um, in the next couple of weeks for you.

Is there anyone in your head as you think, and you follow league reasonably closely, is there someone at least you'd like to see give it a crack? Can I push you there?

Yeah, I think Reece Walsh.

Yeah, yeah, okay.

His footwork and his ability to maybe play as a midfielder, you know, he'd certainly, you know, and running's something you can get better at.

So, you know, like, obviously rugby league running base would need to improve in terms of repeat effort, but it's something you can get better at pretty easily.

So I'm bullish on that.

Okay.

It could have been.

Have you got your head around all the details before you comment?

Yeah, I've got my head around it.

Yeah, I sort of understand it now.

I don't think Geelong have done a whole heap wrong besides not tell the AFL, which is obviously the part that's getting brought up and is providing strong opinions from all involved in the media.

His parents are there.

He's there.

The club's there.

Or do you go to the draft? How would you approach it if you're a mid-table team?

So, Tobes, I'm going to get you to break this down because I think you'll know it better than anyone.

Yeah, well, there's a bit to it.

If I can give you some context, the Supercoach is a big part of what I do this time of year.

And I came from last in the Supercoach League and I was abused at round six, calling me a spud, no good at the game.

And I said, just wait, boys, just wait.

I'll be there when it matters and I'll fire and I'll win it.

So I'm playing Coward in a prelim.

Yeah,

What are you

doing? No, that's the social media people.

That's up to them.

We've sort of tried both ways, and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

But, no, we haven't spoke too much about them internally this week.

We know what we've got to do, and we've sort of been a little bit inconsistent.

So looking forward to putting in a good performance on Saturday.

Can you clear it up now? Are you a giant for life or are you going to be open to having a bit of a chat to other clubs?

Last night down at Kardinia Park, um, who wants to start us off? What did you make of the Cats' performance, first of all?

Well, it was, it was great.

They were ...

Their first quarter, they sort of ...

Yeah, I reckon Chris Scott should've ...

He would've come in during the week, and, you know, the seven changes has sort of rocked the boat a little bit.

A few boys probably on edge.

No.

Yeah

...

so it just sort of made sense.

Um, but yeah, w- we...

Like, uh, James is great.

You know, I've known him for a long time and, um, yeah, he's done his work down in Tassie.

And, uh, I knew that he was one of the leading contenders to get the job, and thought he'd be great at it.

Mm.

What's been your take on the rights and I guess the win for the NRL? Because you think when the AFL starts to negotiate their deal in a couple of years, I think it is, that number may, you guys may then come back and then beat our number.

Yeah, well, yeah, it's something I'm pretty interested in that sort of side of sports.

Like I love like the sports media and business administration.

So I've read a fair bit about it.

I guess what the NRL has is four grand finals essentially with the three origin plus the grand final.

So that's huge viewership.

They're also all night games.

But give us, give us an insight into some of the things you focus on with your, I guess your extras and your routine and your structure around that kicking the football.

Tobes, on the field, is that the most fun you've had in a long time?

Oh, it was, yeah.

I mean, it was great fun.

It wasn't like because it was so close at halftime and then sort of kept like, you know, we kept kicking goals on Mike.

And then you look at the screen, I'm like, we're not up by 70, are we? That can't be right.

And then because we'd kicked so many goals, we were like – so you didn't really – you couldn't really relax and sort of enjoy it because, you know, you're still really in like win mode.

But when you're up by 70, you're probably home.

Tobes, what kind of impact did he have on you?

Where do you think it'll end up? Where do you want it to end up?

Oh, I'd love to play the rest of my career at the Giants.

And that's sort of like I'd always planned in January or February, like, you know, like just to – get to halfway through the year and then start to have more of a think about it like it just sort of um yeah i guess it's become a bit of a story the last couple of weeks but nothing really changed from my perspective like that was always my plan and um and just work it out with my family and and and go from there but i love the club i'm really passionate about it and And, you know, I want success there as well.

So nothing's really changed.

It's just I just was going to take some time to make a decision, and that's how it is.

Yes.

Yeah, I mean, that's our biggest, I guess, challenge and our biggest opportunity for growth.

And, yeah, it's something I'm passionate about as well.