General Warriors Preseason 2026

[Worried2Death]

Nah, they've had an ear to the ground around the country for decades now. The difference with the last few years as opposed to the previous twenty or so, is that the Warriors now have the resources to retain talent thanks to the owners. Previously there weren't the facilities and resources to cater for the hundreds of players they now have on their books. And they didn't have anywhere to play except local club footy or school union so we couldn't compete with the Aussie clubs.

The Harold Matts and SG Ball squad probably have 80 contracted boys between them. Each away game would cost them 50K (not including contract payments) and home games might be half that. I'm guestimating that 400K goes into what is essentially a preseason comp for two teenage teams. BUT...if out of those 80 boy we can create 4 first graders, the saving in salaries from less need to import talent, will make the investment well worthwhile.

Do you think they've implemented Gus's blueprint for setting up pathways etc from when he was advising the club pre-covid?

 

[Viking]

Do you think they've implemented Gus's blueprint for setting up pathways etc from when he was advising the club pre-covid?

I think the club always knew what it had to do but Gould getting the owners to invest in long term development made the difference. And the owners coming from a successful business would know that you need to spend money to make money. And save money hopefully.

 

[Viking]

In line with this:
Is it much of a concern that the club have nailed the last two Harold Matthews, done nothing in SG Ball and Jersey Flegg and made finals both years in Knock On Effect and last year in Telstra (looking forward to those aforementioned copanies paying me for mentioning them! Ahem...)? Or just one of those things or due to things outside the club's control?

Viking's comment about 4/80 becoming NRL level players from Harold Matthews. I'd say a 5% success rate would be pretty damn impressive...

Of course, the other 76 are going to have hang in there/move to another career so the clubs need to insist on the younger players having education/work as alternatives to being Warriors Younglings.

Because Cameron George might channel his inner Darth Vader

I've heard the stat of a 4% conversion rate of contracted junior to first grader in speeches from 3 different clubs.

It's not just about the 4 that make it though as the other 76 still become better players from being involved in an NRL program and that professionalism filters back to local footy. Or some of them will go to other clubs and it comes back to bite us in the arse.

 

[Five&Last]

In line with this:
Is it much of a concern that the club have nailed the last two Harold Matthews, done nothing in SG Ball and Jersey Flegg and made finals both years in Knock On Effect and last year in Telstra (looking forward to those aforementioned copanies paying me for mentioning them! Ahem...)? Or just one of those things or due to things outside the club's control?

Viking's comment about 4/80 becoming NRL level players from Harold Matthews. I'd say a 5% success rate would be pretty damn impressive...

Of course, the other 76 are going to have hang in there/move to another career so the clubs need to insist on the younger players having education/work as alternatives to being Warriors Younglings.

Because Cameron George might channel his inner Darth Vader

SG ball and particularly Jersey Flegg are more developmental teams than Harold Matts, I find anyway.

You’re more likely to find players playing up in age by a year or two in those teams for us.