Hey guys, welcome back to Ebbs and Flows, where we talk about the highs and lows on and off the field.
Today, joined by Nathan Peets. Thanks for jumping on, bro.
Good, bro. It's all good.
What's the hardest part about retiring?
Come straight in here.
When you see someone in five years, go.
Probably... I don't miss the game.
Like, I think a lot of blokes, just quickly touch on it before I get to myself,
a lot of blokes aren't ready to retire.
I think we touched on it the other day over at my joint.
Some blokes aren't ready to retire and they put up old videos of them playing highlights of themselves.
You can just tell they're itching to still play.
I have no interest in playing the game.
I don't miss the game whatsoever.
I was ready to retire, which I found fascinating.
I thought I'd play the game forever, but...
Probably just the transition, you know.
Obviously, I retired a year early, like a lot of people probably don't know.
I still had another year to go in the Super League.
Luckily, I didn't, because Huddersfield are absolutely struggling this year.
So, I think I made the right decision there, but...
Yeah, so everything was brought forward 12 months.
I've done other podcasts and sort of touched on that.
So, probably the transition, you know, I'm still looking for full-time work,
but obviously not in a rush either, you know what I mean?
Like, I don't mind playing the part-time role at the moment
and as long as the bills are paid and stuff like that.
But, obviously, everyone, you know, needs to provide for their family.
So, probably that transition of trying to find something that I want to do for the rest of my life
is probably, and obviously everyone's, you know, some people change jobs over the years,
but trying to find something that I'm passionate about.
And I've started to slowly drift.
You know, we've got a bit of work with the Broncos and doing school stuff.
But, yeah, that transition is probably the work side of things, I think.
Finding that balance of, okay, we're home now.
We've caught up with everyone.
We've been to the beach and the cafes, like I said.
And then, all right, now the bills are starting to flow in.
The money's stopped.
How do we go about that?
You know what I mean?
And I was saying yes to a lot of stuff, but, yeah, that's the biggest thing about the transition
is trying to find a job that, obviously, I've been doing something I've loved for 15 years
and not everyone's blessed to be able to do that,
but trying to find a job that I don't mind getting up and going to.
And I don't know, a lot of people don't have that privilege,
but that's probably been the biggest thing is trying to find something steady
that's something that I like as well, which most people struggle with in life, I guess.
I talked to this about Normie quite a bit, and he said he doesn't miss anything about it,
but the money is, like, the big one.
And, obviously, Norm's got paid very well.
Has that been, like, an issue for you as well?
Yeah, well, you know, probably what helped us a bit was being in the Super League,
I wasn't on a great deal.
I reckon I was on about 10% of what I was, you know, 20% of what I was on during my prime in the NRL
But over there, you don't really need money either.
Like, you've been over there, they sort of pay your rent,
and you get a car through your contract and stuff like that,
so you don't really need a lot of money.
And, you know, go to a cafe and a full English brekkie is like six quid, you know what I mean?
The carvery's there.
Yeah, like, it's pretty cruisy, man.
Like, you can get a coffee and a fee literally, like, for, like, nine pound,
which is, like, 15 Aussie, you know what I mean?
But, yeah, so we sort of had that transition phase, which probably helped us in a way.
I reckon if we were on, you know, I didn't go to there in my prime,
either, obviously, with COVID and went there in April, so I wasn't.
And that's when I was struggling with COVID, so their contracts weren't so great,
you know what I mean?
I think if I went there a little bit earlier when I was at Titans,
I probably would have got a lot better deal.
And, you know, you see some of the boys over there, they love it over there.
But, yeah, going back to your original question,
it probably helped not being on a lot of money over there, like, compared to what I was.
That transition phase was easier.
But, yeah, in saying that, man, I look back sometimes at my Titans pay slips,
and I'm just like, far out, man.
Like, what were we doing?
But, yeah, like, that was it.
They were some good times.
I felt like I deserved those contracts.
You know, I played tough, and I played the game to the highest level,
and probably didn't play well at the back end of my career at Titans,
but, you know, the whole club and the whole team didn't.
But I feel like I earned those contracts by putting my body in the line
and playing good footy.
What about status?
Like, I know I don't really talk about this with a lot of people,
and I'm not – I don't see you as someone who chased the limelight,
but you weren't afraid of it at the same time.
Do you miss that sort of status side of it?
It's something not everyone gets to experience.
Like, someone coming up to you,
you go, hey, can I get a photo?
Can you sign something for me?
Like, we went to the Parabroncos game on Friday night,
and a few people asked me for photos,
and I felt it was cool because I left Parabroncos in really good terms,
so I obviously have a lot of fans there.
And then we went and watched – Jai Arrow plays 150.
He's obviously a good mate of myself and Jade,
and we went and watched him play Titans a couple of weeks ago,
and we sat in this house crowd with all Jai's family,
and I got a few photos there because I left there in decent terms.
Titans games probably wouldn't get many photos.
But, yeah, you know what?
Like, it's still now.
But still, you know, I went to the RTA the other day
to get a new photo for my license,
and the lady was like, oh, I'm a massive –
so I'm still getting those things, which is cool,
but obviously it dies off too.
I mean, I remember hearing Renny Mature speak about it.
Like, it dies off, but I'm not really –
I don't really care either at the same time.
Like, people know who I am and stuff like that.
It's more the kids I probably miss the most.
Like, adults saying, hey, Petey, they're always going to remember you,
but it's more after games having kids come up to you.
I enjoy that side of it, you know, the kids remembering who you are,
and, you know, high school kids remember you, obviously,
because I only played a few years ago in the NRL,
but, you know, it's sort of my son's age group.
They probably won't really know who I am going for,
but that's all going to end soon.
I don't really care.
It's probably the kids' side I do miss,
because they're cool with signing kids' autographs and stuff.
What do you like about the game right now as a whole?
It's getting a bit –
like, a lot of penalties and stuff I'm not liking
and stuff like that with the head injuries,
and I get why they're doing it,
but it's getting really, really sensitive now,
that side of things.
But I just think just how big and powerful they all are.
Like, I look at them now, like,
those are Payne Hassanat playing, like, 80 minutes,
and just the speed and endurance of the big boys.
I'm like, thank God I'm retired, you know what I mean?
But I just like that side of it.
Like, just watching Penrith and Fisher Harris,
just those big boys.
Obviously, I'm a middle.
Like, you can talk about all the backs,
but I just love how it's just how fast and big and powerful it's getting.
It's just getting harder and harder.
It's funny that you say that,
because when I think about, like, football,
like, I always go back rows,
because they're the people that I had to tackle.
And they'll look like Olukawatu,
Yeah, those dudes.
You might have had one of those guys,
maybe like a Frank Pritchard,
like, who you might play once a year.
Like, I know, like,
but the back rowers, that's what I mean.
They're just, everyone's huge.
And people used to compare it to super.
They go, what's the difference?
All the English players.
I'm like, it's just pure size.
Like, in England, they're just small little outside backs,
little jittery things,
and they're hard to handle, you know what I mean?
Look at Warrington.
They've got some really, like, little small wingers,
and not small, but they're not, like, big.
And they're little fast little things.
And you go to the NRL, and you just,
I remember, like, playing the Roosters,
and it'd be like, Fergo, Tupou, Kenny Dow, Michael Jennings.
And it was like, now they've got,
who have they got?
Now they've got Tupou still there.
They've got Fulmin.
Even, like, Billy Smith.
Like, he's, like, the backup.
Tedesco, big booty, hip and through tackles.
Like, they're just huge, like, these outside backs,
you know what I mean?
The shirt riding up halfway, the body.
And it's just one after another.
Like, that's the difference in the NRL,
is just the size of everyone.
Do you reckon the,
do you reckon the season's too long?
You know, I've answered this question a few times.
I don't believe it is.
But the reason is, I say, is from a bias perspective,
because I've missed so many games through injury.
So the injury, the games allowed you time to come back.
Yeah, but then also, like, I would,
I would give up my left nut to, like, during the season.
If I missed 10 games with an ACL,
if I'd give up half my salary to play those games,
like, I love playing, and I miss so much through footy.
But then on the flip side,
you get guys who are barely never injured,
and they must be exhausted,
playing 26 rounds,
a footy with one or two buys, whatever it is,
then three or four finals.
They must be exhausted, you know what I mean?
You've got trials, pre-season.
I think pre-season's too long.
That's the biggest one.
What would be the, in your opinion,
what would be the dream, like, time slot, you reckon?
Well, I used to love pre-season.
It's weird, because I used to love pre-season,
because, you know, it's like, by February,
you're, like, fit, you're tan, you're looking good.
It doesn't matter when you play round one, anyway.
I know, I know, but then I'm like...
Yeah, the tan's a big one, too.
I do believe you need a pre-season,
but you just don't, it doesn't need to be that long.
Like, I remember with Michael McGuire,
and we were training on the 31st of October.
Like, I know you can't come back to a certain date now,
but, like, that's just too long.
Some teams come back, the young guys come back
at, like, the 5th of November,
and, yeah, it's a dream job.
You're getting paid great money.
I get that, and you're doing weights, wrestle, and field.
Like, give me a break.
It's a great job.
But then you're training all of November,
all of December, all of January, all of February
before the trials, and then you, like,
your four months, you're exhausted, you know what I mean?
Like, that's when you see some teams start well,
and then they just go, boom, look at Dolphins.
They just get so tired by the back end.
It's a long season, and I think the Roosters
are doing it the right way.
They sort of slow and peak at the end.
Yeah, it's a good way to think about it.
But look at the NFL.
I know the NFL's a different game.
It's stop, start, stop, start,
but they have, like, three weeks of training,
and they play four trials.
Their main guys only have to play,
I think it's two trials or whatever,
and then the season starts.
And then you build up through the season.
You get your contact in through the season,
and then you, you know?
But it is what it is.
Like, Coach Ricky's sure they'd be just flogging those boys,
and they'd be doing intense sessions.
I mean, intense coaches still in the NRL.
I remember when we were playing,
I feel like the Dragons were always that team.
I remember you sort of seeing them,
and they were all ripped up, standing on cliffs, tanned ass.
And they'd always start the season real quick,
and just, whoosh, fall off the edge.
But yeah, that's, I think it is too long in a way,
but it's all about money, isn't it?
And I love when footy's on, too.
Like, you know, say it was 18 rounds,
you'd be like, oh, this is another seven,
nine weeks of footy.
Oh, you like that face?
Yeah, like, I mean, like, if they reduce it,
drastically, fans wouldn't, you know,
it's just less footy to watch, you know what I mean?
So I get why they're doing it, too.
From a marketing standpoint,
I know it's probably a game of numbers,
but do you reckon if you had less games,
you could charge more,
because more people would be watching it?
Because the way I watch NRL was,
like, I'll probably watch the first three, four rounds,
and I'll watch maybe four games.
And then, fuck, wins Origin on,
and then wins finals.
I'll drift in and out.
Yeah, and then obviously now,
the back end with, like, Bronx trying to make the top eight,
there's a couple of interesting games
you probably will drift into,
and I'm the same.
I get what you're saying.
Say it's $2 billion a year they pay for TV rights
over 20 games or 25 games divided up.
If you reduced it down to 18 or 20 rounds,
it's more money per game, I guess.
But I'm the same as you with footy.
Like, no offence to some of the teams,
but, like, I won't watch certain games or certain teams
just purely because I don't really want to watch them.
Who don't you watch?
No, I'm not saying nothing against them.
I'll happily say something.
Well, say it's Knights versus Raiders.
I ain't watching that.
I hate watching the Raiders for some reason.
Well, Price, he's my young little mate.
Then I'll watch him play, you know?
Like, nothing against,
it's just because I'm from Sydney.
I live up here for 10 years.
I'm not really interested in two out-of-Sydney,
out-of-Queensland teams.
Like, if it's Roosters, Broncos, 100%.
If it's Souths, anyone, 100%.
Because Parra, 1,000%.
Like, if it's certain teams,
like it's Tigers, you know,
someone on a Friday at 8.30 game,
I'm staying up till 10.30 to watch that game.
Not because it's boring or whether or not,
just purely because, like I said,
where I'm from and I don't really know anyone on the team
or whatever, I just won't watch it.
Yeah, I don't even like certain styles of football.
Like, when I watch Canberra,
it's like, let's win 8-6.
Those types of, like, teams.
And I respect it because, like, it's a...
It's a grinding team.
Yeah, it's a grinding team.
And they're the fucking worst teams to play.
But, yeah, like, I just don't enjoy watching it.
Yeah, there's nothing against the people of the team.
I just, like I said, if I put it on my...
If it starts raining, I'll just switch and see it later.
Yeah, it's 9-7 games.
What was your favourite things about,
obviously, debuting at the Souths
and what are the lessons you learnt from that period
because they were heading towards success
and you were at the start of that part?
How it all started was I was Souths junior,
obviously, played SE ball,
then Howard Matts SE ball, went to the 20s,
and then I was playing edge back row
and Johnny Lang said,
oh, he has to be a hooker.
I was like, fuck, who the fuck's Johnny Lang?
I knew who he was.
I was like, I ain't playing hooker.
And then, anyway, I got dropped for, like, six weeks,
came in, became a hooker,
worked my way through the first year of under-20s,
second year, then, anyway, went into the first grade squad
and then it was myself, Bo Falloon,
and Isaac Luka, the hookers there,
and I was big boy then.
I was, like, nearly 100kg, so...
Yeah, I was 99 at Souths that first year,
so I was playing Luka and hooker.
And that first year, John Lang,
we lost the last game to make the finals.
I played 20 games that year
and it was really, like, a good sort of...
Yeah, and then Madge come in the next year
and then it just ramped up, you know what I mean?
And, obviously, it was part of the final series that year,
then re-signed in 2013 for two more years in February,
so I was like, all right, stoked.
Two more years at Souths, got a good squad,
and then got to, like, Michael McGuire.
I respect him as a coach, but he's a hard man
and we didn't see eye to eye a lot of times.
He was just a few things we had disagreements on
and I was probably a bit of a young hothead too,
probably didn't handle certain situations,
but there's a few things that just...
I didn't see eye to eye with him.
Oh, there was just...
There was one game in the instance where, for example,
where I played and we lost to the Dragons
and then I went to go talk to him after the video
and he was like, no, not now,
and he sort of brushed me off
and then I spoke to Luke Keery
and Keery was like, oh, I got told I'm playing next week,
no matter how well you play.
So he'd already made that decision
that I wasn't playing the week after.
Oh, that's weird, eh?
It was just a few things like that
and we didn't see eye to eye with a few things.
But long story short, I met with Ricky Stewart,
so I got a release from Parra in June, I think,
for the next year.
So I signed in February for two more years,
got a release four months later,
stayed the rest of the year,
and then signed with Parra the next year.
The next year they won the comp
and I done my ACL
and I was like, fuck, what an idiot,
because I was a part of that team.
I played 60 games in three years there,
like I was a regular.
I would have probably been banned
which I'm assuming, or somewhere in the team.
But good on them for winning.
Then I got my ACL.
Bully missed out, eh?
Yeah, bully missed out.
But at all, what's meant to be is meant to be.
But then I ended up having a really good year
at Parra those first 12 games I played
and that sort of made a name for myself.
Bigger name than I ever would have made at South,
you know what I mean?
So I don't regret anything
because I ended up doing my ACL
but then probably played the best 10 games
or 12 games of my life,
even after that as well.
I just started the year on fire there
and that sort of set me up
for the rest of my career, I think.
What did you play so well there?
Was there a chip on your shoulder?
No, I don't even know.
I wasn't the greatest running dummy half ever
but at Parra I was just always running
and I was just confident
and I think because I come from South
and they were Parra wooden spooners
and I walked in with a bit of,
not an ego, but a chip on my shoulder.
I knew I was good
and I knew I'd come from a really good club
and Parra were the bottom feeders
and you remember Ricky Shook
got rid of all those players
and myself, Normie, Chris Sander
and I walked in his team
this team's actually gone
and we had a mad pre-season
and I've never felt better.
So, was that 2014?
So, you just played Warriors first game
and Manu got Man of the Match.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, we pumped them
and then it was a mad year that year
and I got suspended for game two
for having a fight in Bali
in the off-season.
We won't touch on that.
They got me four months later.
Yeah, that's weird, eh?
Yeah, it was a weird situation
but I'd only done it game suspension.
but yeah, that was good times there.
It's sort of the setting
I'm a South Union
I've got mates there.
Yeah, you know what I mean?
What's the connection?
Like, I feel like
Souths have a stronger connection
more than probably most clubs
maybe besides Penrith and Parra.
Penrith and Parra, yeah.
why are they so attached to that club?
Just because you've got
they've been around for so long,
you know what I mean,
and it's just such a tight
little sort of competition,
you know what I mean?
Like, it's pretty vast area
when you think of it.
Like, it goes from La Perouse
all the way down to Coogee
like it's a big sort of area,
you know what I mean?
And it's literally like,
I lived there for a bit
it's very different.
But then, like I said,
there's established clubs
like Redfern, All Blacks,
La Perouse, Panthers,
like you've got Moor Park,
like Coogee Wombats
even though it's a
sort of rooster's area,
it's a Souths team,
you know what I mean?
there's just these clubs
and with all the juniors
it's just good players
like coming through
and it's just good depth,
so many Indigenous kids down there
you know what I mean?
you look at all the players
that have come through,
the Nathan Merrits
La Perouse and Fox,
so there's so many teams
that have just had juniors
established and coming through
and it's just a big club,
big juniors though,
like Souths juniors,
on Anzac Parade there,
obviously through pokies
don't pay for nothing,
you don't pay for
my sons both play for
the Gold Coast Comp,
it's $300 each per kid,
fucking Harland's playing
league tag for the first
motherfucking playing
isn't this sweet?
And then they transition
I'm fucking paying $300
to watch them play tag,
that's just the safety
thing the NRL's doing
and the Queensland Comp
the Souths juniors
just look after their
mum didn't have to
fork out anything,
that's a big thing,
they look after their
And even just having
like somebody with
junior when I was
and I used to get
getting hammered.
fly to Townsville
to play the Cowboys
system throughout
besides injuries.
it was the hardest
one the other day
they might get their hearts
that's for the boys
to make sure you choose the right girl
who's not going to take your money
or not going to be
unfaithful to you
Goldie's going to be alright
punched on with her brothers
thanks for jumping on
you're a great man PT
so looking forward to hanging out