General 2024: Will we make the top eight?

[Dlenai]

With the ladder being as congested as it is, how is everyone feeling about our finals chances? Last year, both the roosters and the knights were in a similar standing to us this year and both teams made a run to the top eight.

Will we do the same?

 

[juju]

While the run home doesn't look the most intimidating .... We only have 3 home games,
I can't see us making it.

It's going to be a lost "what if" "If only" year

 

[Mr Drag]

All our remaining games are winnable, so we have a great chance if we keep our form!

 

[Christchurch_Warrior]

We have been at times really "fragile" and not been able to put in good performances constantly this year. If we put in the commitment we showed in the Bulldogs game for the remaining games we have a chance.

 

[Dantheman]

Heart says yes, head says no.

 

[kos]

We were robbed two points in the bulldogs game.
If we had banked those two points I think we were a possibility.
Now -there is no easy games any side can beat any side on any day
We are too far down the ladder.
No

 

[Defence]

I feel like the bulldogs game probably sunk us.
Biggest game of the year and we get duded- just too predictable smh...

 

[PullingTeets]

Na, I can see us winning 2 possibly 3 of the remaining games, really worried about the Manly game, we could get a hiding in that game with the speed in their outside backs.

 

[WahsaurusRex]

Think it was in the Bulldogs team list thread, but 5 wins from the last 7 will give us a fighting chance; 6 wins from 7 you could just about lock us in.

Every game will be tough from here out, banana peels everywhere lol, but even still, I like to think I would bet on us to win in all but that Sea Eagles away game.

It will all come down to how the team has taken the loss at the weekend.

And even if they do take all the positives out of the game, there is every possibility we blew our load on that game and we'll just be shooting blanks the rest of the season
Too graphic? hahaha

 

[MXRecord]

I have a feeling we'll miss out by one point.

 

[Aman 2.0]

Last year we won every single close game and this year we’re losing every single close game.

 

[juju]

Last year we won every single close game and this year we’re losing every single close game.

If we won rd 1, rd 2, Titans Anzac Day and this bulldogs game we'd be flying.... IF

 

[Warriorshopeful]

We've lost a bunch of close games we were in a pretty good situation to win. Honestly just doesn't feel like the Warriors year this year. Way too many injuries, some questionable bench selections as well and not giving players enough time to recover and get right with a bunch of guys playing with niggles causing more injuries.

Future looks pretty bright though with the likes of Halasima, Laban, Sifakula and Zyon Maiu’u looking promising. We really need some speed/ x factor as well though, hopefully we're able to develop some good halves/outside back replacements.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Last year we won every single close game and this year we’re losing every single close game.

This.

Made even more frustrating because most of the close games we’ve dominated for most of the games and arguably been the better team but couldn’t convert it to points.

 

[JaggedJ]

Probably not.

Good news is our injury toll has allowed us to blood some juniors, it's unlikely we'll be this snakebit again by injury two years in a row, we've got a real forward leader coming in JFH, and the nucelus of what made this side mentally stronger in 2023 is still here for 2025 in addition to JFH.

Trying to look at it as a "take one step back to move two steps forward" kind of season.

 

[Inruin]

This.

Made even more frustrating because most of the close games we’ve dominated for most of the games and arguably been the better team but couldn’t convert it to points.

IMO more often we couldn't defend well enough. Plenty of games we have scored enough points to win but conceded way too many

 

[CWC]

Need that big run of last year or the Knights-like streak in the last 7-game stretch, otherwise it's over

Would be good to sneak in to give juniors a taste, otherwise keep it close so the last 2-3 games might be playoff intensity for the juniors to experience even if we don't make it

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

IMO more often we couldn't defend well enough. Plenty of games we have scored enough points to win but conceded way too many

Agree, but dominant possession stats usually lead to wins.

Of the teams we’ve got the 9th best attacking points (and 10th best defence). Arguably winning possession almost every week should have seen a lot better attacking stat and wins.

We’ve played well enough to be top 8 but just haven’t had the resilience to close out games.

 

[John Nick]

Agree, but dominant possession stats usually lead to wins.

Of the teams we’ve got the 9th best attacking points (and 10th best defence). Arguably winning possession almost every week should have seen a lot better attacking stat and wins.

We’ve played well enough to be top 8 but just haven’t had the resilience to close out games.

Imo we lack youth enthusiasm and most of all speed

 

[El Chuckie]

Last year we won every single close game and this year we’re losing every single close game.

I thought this a couple of weeks back so went trainspotting to see if the hunch was right.

• Last year we had seven wins by 8 points or less (including three by 6 or less); three losses by 8 points or less (including one by 6 or less).
• This season we've won four by 8 points or less and lost four by 8 points or less, plus a draw.

Definitely not closing games out as well as last year.