General 2024: Will we make the top eight?

[Inruin]

Usually I'm sweating on results to see if we can make it

This year it was clearly evident that we would have been a waste of time in the 8, so I haven't been sitting there hoping results went our way

Hopefully Webby teaches the boys how to score points between now and Vegas. Our attack has no instinct, and our defence has no heart

Its kind of a tale of two teams for us this year. With SJ at 7 we have really struggled to score points. With TMM that seems to be less of an issue. Both teams have struggled defensively and that is the root of our problems currently.

As an aside, TMM has had some fantastic games at 7 with tries, try assists, etc being at the top level. Without that we struggled somewhat. Similarly, last season when SJ was on form, everything basically went through him. I fear we will be reliant on one person in attack next season which isn't sustainable. The very thing we identified at the end of last season, that we need more threats across the park, more points of attack. I hope we get LM and TMM in the halves at 6 and 7. That should give us a little bit more spark than say a CHT/TMM combo. I'm also leaning towards Taine at fullback for this reason. I love CNK and everything he brings to the table, but if he isn't bringing 2023 form then we may need to look at a wing/center position for him. I would still try and fit Taine in on the wing regardless but then where does that leave RTS who AW will always pick?

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Its kind of a tale of two teams for us this year. With SJ at 7 we have really struggled to score points. With TMM that seems to be less of an issue. Both teams have struggled defensively and that is the root of our problems currently.

As an aside, TMM has had some fantastic games at 7 with tries, try assists, etc being at the top level. Without that we struggled somewhat. Similarly, last season when SJ was on form, everything basically went through him. I fear we will be reliant on one person in attack next season which isn't sustainable. The very thing we identified at the end of last season, that we need more threats across the park, more points of attack. I hope we get LM and TMM in the halves at 6 and 7. That should give us a little bit more spark than say a CHT/TMM combo. I'm also leaning towards Taine at fullback for this reason. I love CNK and everything he brings to the table, but if he isn't bringing 2023 form then we may need to look at a wing/center position for him. I would still try and fit Taine in on the wing regardless but then where does that leave RTS who AW will always pick?

Sounds harsh but I'd consider releasing MM & DWZ, moving RTS and CNK to the wings.

 

[juju]

Its kind of a tale of two teams for us this year. With SJ at 7 we have really struggled to score points. With TMM that seems to be less of an issue. Both teams have struggled defensively and that is the root of our problems currently.

As an aside, TMM has had some fantastic games at 7 with tries, try assists, etc being at the top level. Without that we struggled somewhat. Similarly, last season when SJ was on form, everything basically went through him. I fear we will be reliant on one person in attack next season which isn't sustainable. The very thing we identified at the end of last season, that we need more threats across the park, more points of attack. I hope we get LM and TMM in the halves at 6 and 7. That should give us a little bit more spark than say a CHT/TMM combo. I'm also leaning towards Taine at fullback for this reason. I love CNK and everything he brings to the table, but if he isn't bringing 2023 form then we may need to look at a wing/center position for him. I would still try and fit Taine in on the wing regardless but then where does that leave RTS who AW will always pick?

I saw a stat Niche Cache posted.
This is the worst winning % season of SJ's career - That's a sad way to end.

 

[John Nick]

I saw a stat Niche Cache posted.
This is the worst winning % season of SJ's career - That's a sad way to end.

I feel sorry for him to end like this but I also know that he would have known that he was going to struggle this year with age injuries etc.
When your time is up believe me you know.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I don’t believe we can blame our attack not being good enough or our defence being to blame for the season results.

I think attack and defence is linked. Fast, energetic, dynamic players flows through into both attack and defence and it’s no coincidence the best teams have the best attack AND defence and the worst teams are the opposite. And this is consistent every year.

We don’t need to fix our attack or defence. We need to fix the players core physical abilities so they can implement the structures.

Again, fast off the mark, dynamic, quick thinking, fast reaction speed and physical strength should be how we evaluate players, tweaked for each position. I believe a lot of our players wouldn’t meet the average for their position due to age, injuries or ability.

 

[slime]

I saw a stat Niche Cache posted.
This is the worst winning % season of SJ's career - That's a sad way to end.

Looking into it, it's one of the worst season winning percentages for a Warrior half, especially in their final year:

Player	Season	App	T	G			GK %	FG	Pts	W	L	D	Win %	Notes
Shaun Johnson	2024 NRL Telstra Premiership	14	5	23	/	29	79.31%	-	66	3	10	1	21.43%	* SJs final season
Ata Hingano	2017 NRL Telstra Premiership	13	1	-		-			4	3	10	0	23.08%	* Ata's final season (20% Win% full Warriors career from 15 App)
Shaun Johnson	2022 NRL Telstra Premiership	21	3	14	/	18	77.78%	2	42	5	16	0	23.81%	* SJs return Warriors season from Cronulla
Stacey Jones	2009 NRL Telstra Premiership	23	2	5	/	10	50.00%	2	20	6	15	2	26.09%	* Stacey's failed comeback
Stacey Jones	2004 NRL Telstra Premiership	23	6	15	/	19	78.95%	1	55	6	17	0	26.09%	* Objectively one the worst seasons in club history
Kieran Foran	2017 NRL Telstra Premiership	17	2	-		-			8	5	12	0	29.41%	* Foran's only season
Chanel Harris-Tavita	2020 NRL Telstra Premiership	13	2	27	/	34	79.41%	-	62	4	9	0	30.77%	* Covid season + 2nd lowest PF in a season (343)
James Maloney	2012 NRL Telstra Premiership	24	4	67	/	88	76.14%	3	153	8	16	0	33.33%	* Maloney's final season
Kodi Nikorima	2021 NRL Telstra Premiership	21	4	42	/	52	80.77%	-	100	8	13	0	38.10%	* Kodi's final full season
Stacey Jones	Super League 1997 Telstra Cup	18	7	-		1			29	7	11	0	38.89%	* Lowest ever PF in a season (332)
Sean O'Sullivan	2021 NRL Telstra Premiership	12	2	-		-			8	5	7	0	41.67%	* SOS final season
Grant Rovelli	2008 NRL Telstra Premiership	21	1	-		-			4	12	9	0	57.14%	* Rovelli's final season
Mason Lino	2018 NRL Telstra Premiership	8	3	14	/	18	77.78%	-	40	5	3	0	62.50%	* Lino's final season

I bloody hope he has another win before the season is done.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

The universe is chaos and thus, I think it's safe to say, we will make the 8.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

We don’t need to fix our attack or defence. We need to fix the players core physical abilities so they can implement the structures

Are you saying we need more....


Speed.... and/or.... Power?

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Are you saying we need more....


Speed.... and/or.... Power?

Depends on the position doesn’t it?

 

[Evil_Mush]

So I totally forgot I had Qantas credit from my cancelled Warriors Grand Final flight last year that expired on 19/09 this year, so I am now winging my way over to Sydney for the first Finals weekend 13th-15th September. Only cost an extra $300 on top of the initial credit amount, gee thanks Warriors costing me even more money

To anyone that has gone to non-Warriors finals games, what is the best process for getting tickets in Aus? Hoping to get to a game on the Friday and the Saturday if possible to make the most of a whirlwind trip (of course depending on where the Sydney teams place, based on current ladder could still happen).

Should I just sign up to all the current top 8 clubs for presales and whatnot?

 

[Beastmode]

So I totally forgot I had Qantas credit from my cancelled Warriors Grand Final flight last year that expired on 19/09 this year, so I am now winging my way over to Sydney for the first Finals weekend 13th-15th September. Only cost an extra $300 on top of the initial credit amount, gee thanks Warriors costing me even more money

To anyone that has gone to non-Warriors finals games, what is the best process for getting tickets in Aus? Hoping to get to a game on the Friday and the Saturday if possible to make the most of a whirlwind trip (of course depending on where the Sydney teams place, based on current ladder could still happen).

Should I just sign up to all the current top 8 clubs for presales and whatnot?

tickettek
they don’t care who you support provide you have $$$

 

[juju]

Just trying to do the maths on who might be playing week 1

Possible Sydney games
Panthers vs Roosters at Penrith (tough to get tickets)
Bulldogs vs 8th at ANZ
Manly vs 7th at Brookie (tough to get tickets - have been selling out games)

Might have to scour the net for any spare season member presale codes...

 

[Evil_Mush]

tickettek
they don’t care who you support provide you have $$$

Will NZ Ticketek (which I am already signed up to) still have access to Aussie presales? Or just sign up to Aussie based Ticketek?

 

[juju]

Will NZ Ticketek (which I am already signed up to) still have access to Aussie presales? Or just sign up to Aussie based Ticketek?

You will need to sign up with the Australian site of whichever ticket company has the rights for the games you want to go to.
Usually Ticketek or Ticketmaster

Could also be a bit of a scramble for the smaller grounds where the members will be buying quickly.

Any game at ANZ or Allianz you should be fine - you'll likely not know which grounds exactly until the rounds finished.

 

[Evil_Mush]

Sweet as - worse case will just go to a dirty sports bar or the relevant leagues club for the true blue Aussie experience

 

[Wrighty]

Sounds harsh but I'd consider releasing MM & DWZ, moving RTS and CNK to the wings.

I think CNK should go to Montoyas wing as well.
I personally am part of the minority who have not given up on RTS. However despite my view RTS is better than Taine I think Taine should play for goal kicking and golden point drop kicks. I think you should compromise on one back line position and give bonus points to a guy who can goal kick

I would still play Dallin, Maybe RTS plays 17th man all year in case of an injury to a back. I read a stat which said every team who lost an outside back before half time went on to lose in 2024 despite reshuffling a second rower to centre,

 

[Cces]

I think Taine should play for goal kicking and golden point drop kicks.

No record of him hitting a Drop Goal in 47 reserve grade games & bar grubbers I don't think he's even punted a footy in 1st grade

 

[tajhay]

I think CNK should go to Montoyas wing as well.
I personally am part of the minority who have not given up on RTS. However despite my view RTS is better than Taine I think Taine should play for goal kicking and golden point drop kicks. I think you should compromise on one back line position and give bonus points to a guy who can goal kick

I would still play Dallin, Maybe RTS plays 17th man all year in case of an injury to a back. I read a stat which said every team who lost an outside back before half time went on to lose in 2024 despite reshuffling a second rower to centre,

Is Taine in your team going to do general goal kicking too? Or are we likely to just have one player doing that (Metcalf/CHT)?

Getting Eion Crossan vibes from back in the day. IYKYK

 

[Wrighty]

Is Taine in your team going to do general goal kicking too? Or are we likely to just have one player doing that (Metcalf/CHT)?

Getting Eion Crossan vibes from back in the day. IYKYK

Who was Crossan? Was he a poor player who could kick goals?

Cces good to know that Taine has not punted or drop kicked ever. He can just be a specialist goal kicker then. We would really benefit from an 85% guy.

 

[Wellington Warrior]

Who was Crossan? Was he a poor player who could kick goals?

Cces good to know that Taine has not punted or drop kicked ever. He can just be a specialist goal kicker then. We would really benefit from an 85% guy.

He was the albino rugby fullback (think BOP?) who went to play in the NRL in the early 90’s? Was a decent goal kicker but not the best league player.