Staff Andrew Webster

[mrblonde]

Post Bluey (end of 2012), management didn't want to wait a year for Bellamy (who was contracted for 2013), so picked Matthew Elliott. Lol.

I always thought there was a rumour Bellamy had signed for 2012 and was confident of coming here but didn't want anyone knowing until he'd sorted things out with the Storm. Then someone leaked hte news and Bellamy rightly said "well if you can't keep that secret for a few days, I'm not coming!"
And IIRC Ivan was approached early in 2011 by the Panthers when we were 0-3 or 0-4, so you can kind of see why the management might have been a bit stand-offish about giving Ivan what he wanted.

 

[CWC]

I always thought there was a rumour Bellamy had signed for 2012 and was confident of coming here but didn't want anyone knowing until he'd sorted things out with the Storm. Then someone leaked hte news and Bellamy rightly said "well if you can't keep that secret for a few days, I'm not coming!"
And IIRC Ivan was approached early in 2011 by the Panthers when we were 0-3 or 0-4, so you can kind of see why the management might have been a bit stand-offish about giving Ivan what the wanted.

I remember in 2013 they wanting a super coach like Wayne or Bellamy but had to wait till 2015 so they signed some journeyman coaches then McFadden lol

 

[Rizzah]

Bellamy was approached in late 2012 after Bluey was sacked. Bellamy could be offered a contract starting the 2014 season. He was still under contract to the Storm in 2013, and repeated through his manager that he would honour the last year of his contract even if he signed elsewhere.

 

[Makasene]

Bellamy was approached in late 2012 after Bluey was sacked. Bellamy could be offered a contract starting the 2014 season. He was still under contract to the Storm in 2013, and repeated through his manager that he would honour the last year of his contract even if he signed elsewhere.

Yes, so we signed Matt Elliott who lasted only 3 games longer than if we had waited to sign Bellamy.

It was major news at the time, The Matty Johns show had breaking news that Warriors and Bellamy had met for more than 4 hours but still could not come to a deal.

Imagine trying to strong arm Bellamy. I think at the time he knew he had to build again from the first Storm dynasty. So it was a good time to leave or recomit for what has now been another decade (possibly entertained interest from Brisbane Broncos too at some point)

None of the below had debuted yet when we were talking to him! (in order of debut)
- Tohu Harris
- K Bromwich
- Jordan McLean
- Cam Munster
- Marika Koroibete
- Dale Finucane
- Felise Kafusi
- NAS
- S Vunivalu
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Cheese
- Jarome Hughes
- Harry Grant


Fuck me, actually crazy to think of that production line. Hope Webby can do something similar with our much less impressive list of juniors

 

[Rizzah]

Yes, so we signed Matt Elliott who lasted only 3 games longer than if we had waited to sign Bellamy.

It was major news at the time, The Matty Johns show had breaking news that Warriors and Bellamy had met for more than 4 hours but still could not come to a deal.

Imagine trying to strong arm Bellamy. I think at the time he knew he had to build again from the first Storm dynasty. So it was a good time to leave or recomit for what has now been another decade (possibly entertained interest from Brisbane Broncos too at some point)

None of the below had debuted yet when we were talking to him! (in order of debut)
- Tohu Harris
- K Bromwich
- Jordan McLean
- Cam Munster
- Marika Koroibete
- Dale Finucane
- Felise Kafusi
- NAS
- S Vunivalu
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Cheese
- Jarome Hughes
- Harry Grant


Fuck me, actually crazy to think of that production line. Hope Webby can do something similar with our much less impressive list of juniors

It was the same year Owen Glen came onboard. I believe we offered him $1.33million a season ($4mil over 3 years)

 

[Makasene]

It was the same year Owen Glen came onboard. I believe we offered him $1.33million a season ($4mil over 3 years)

Yea that was a strange period. Guys with those gloves on after being subbed.

"We're going to be the biggest club in Australasia" gulp...

And I've completely blanked on when the whole Richard Fale thing was. Was that after Glenn cut and run?

All this at a time when Johnson was not even 50 games into his career.

Way off topic sorry mods haha but it's the offseason

 

[CWC]

Wow you give Bellamy whatever he wants lol, WTF

Imagine what he could have done with the SJ/RTS/Foran/Luke spine

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

Wow you give Bellamy whatever he wants lol, WTF

Imagine what he could have done with the SJ/RTS/Foran/Luke spine

See, I wonder how well he would have done here. No doubt hes in contention for the best coach of the modern era, but do we really think this club would have allowed him to operate the way that the he does at the storm?

Probably not a popular opinion, but I would guess that his coaching style would be in conflict with the cultural focus that we see in the club at the moment. Not to mention our clubs managements constant habit of overrating itself (1 club mentality and all that.)

 

[CWC]

See, I wonder how well he would have done here. No doubt hes in contention for the best coach of the modern era, but do we really think this club would have allowed him to operate the way that the he does at the storm?

Probably not a popular opinion, but I would guess that his coaching style would be in conflict with the cultural focus that we see in the club at the moment. Not to mention our clubs managements constant habit of overrating itself (1 club mentality and all that.)

I think him yelling and grilling players here would have been fine, most of his Storm team are polynesian/Maori anyway and Hughes and Katoa just won Dally Ms. He'd probably have shipped off the lazy fragile ones as bargaining chips for ones that can handle winning premierships. But ya the old owners would probably make a huge fuss about it and fire him after 5 games lol

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

I think him yelling and grilling players here would have been fine, most of his Storm team are polynesian/Maori anyway and Hughes and Katoa just won Dally Ms

You are correct. I was more taking aim at management. This sort of player management doesn't work if the higher ups decide its 'off brand'.

 

[mrblonde]

Yea that was a strange period. Guys with those gloves on after being subbed.

"We're going to be the biggest club in Australasia" gulp...

And I've completely blanked on when the whole Richard Fale thing was. Was that after Glenn cut and run?

All this at a time when Johnson was not even 50 games into his career.

Way off topic sorry mods haha but it's the offseason

Oh, jeez, Richard Fale...IIRC he was very public and upfront about his dreams for the Warriors even talking about the fan's "exprience" of the game meaning they could sit in their seats and watch it on screen and have photoshots sent to their email adresses (that's how I remember the discussion going, anyway).

Yeah, Watson and Glenn going off about how great we were going to be...always seemed to be about publicity and marketing and yadayayda and nowhere near enough talk about coaching and playing and pathways and y,know those less sexy things that, y'know, get the Panthers 4. Straight. Titles.

 

[Wrighty]

I wish to make a post about the 2024 season and Andrew Webster.

What really was he supposed to do?

SJ started playing poorly. Suddenly we win three in a row, including Panthers, without Shaun and then Shaun recovers.
He had to pick Shaun even knowing it would probably make us lose by changing the halves chemistry.

Let's play this out. Maybe he keeps CHT and TMM and they keep winning and make it to round 2 of the playoffs before losing.

What is SJ supposed to be doing all of this time and where does he stand for the 2025 Season. Does he resign? I guess so but due to limited playing time and not his form or injuries. Mean time random people in the press are saying maybe we would have gone further in the playoffs with Shaun. And that we would have won with him as well and with more points. And maybe some of the players read all this and like Shaun and it just subtly damages his relationship with the dressing room. Not by a lot but maybe 20%.

It would have been pretty cold and to be honest heartless for the club to finish our SJ's career like that. The Warriors in the NRL would have lost respect from thousands of SJ fans who don't just live in New Zealand but also Australia as he loved by the ex pat community.

A similar but watered down story with CNKs very poor play at fullback. If he pulls the plug after only 5 or 6 bad games what are the intangible impacts of that on the dressing room and for Andrew's reputation with Mohawk and Cameron who both may have a relationship with CNK and like him.

Andrew faced the following completely unpredictable bad luck

1) CNK playing bad inexplicably
2) SJ playing bad inexplicably
3) Tohu Harris unpredictably being caught by Father time

ALL IN THE SAME SEASON with the same human dynamics and organisational behavior issues to deal with if he ruthlessly chops them.


Where to from here. I honestly feel it has been enough games from CNK and Harris at a sub optimal level that it can be something to work on and correct for the 2025 season. While being ruthless mid season this year would have been poor from a long term perspective there has to be some ruthlessness eventually.

CONCLUSION

The warriors won 9 games this year and drew one. Andrew kept the wheels on the cart and stopped it from being a 7 win season. Andrew shows he makes decisions from a long term welfare of the club perspective vs winning at all costs next week. I am pleased he did this. He is going to get us our championship and he is going to win another Dally M coach of the year. His biggest test is now and he picks the team for game one 2025.

 

[mrblonde]

Looking outside the NRL boys for a second:
It's not a lot, I know, but winning the Harold Matthews and making the finals of the Knock On Effect is a start that the club needs to build on and start bedding certain things in.

Back to the NRL:
Webby's worst moment in 2024 was not being able to stem the bleeding in the game against the Titans. Where we lost each half by 30 points. That speaks to a massive mental re-adjustment required that maybe was done for some games/points in games but certainly not others. The players need to walk out against every team with a "This Is Going To Be A Shit Of A Game" attitude, ready to grind, ready to compete, play it dull and boring until you get dominance. If you do, exploit it. And, yes, the 3 Times Wooden Spoon Winners Wests Tigers are pissed off and they're going to show that by smashing those bloody Warriors!
Sometimes to create long-term success, you have to allow short-term pain.
I'm expecting with two pre-seasons behind them, better work from CNK and RTS in their intended position. If the Warriors have faith in them as Fullback and Centre, accordingly, start them there.
I'm still part of the Pick The Best Player In The Position First, Worry Whether He Can Kick Goals Second school, but I'd expect kicking practice to play a larger part of training sessions this season. It's either straight down the middle from wide out, which is great, or a complete fuck-up from in front, which is great of it's not us who do it, often actually rather simple and dull and yes, you can play either the "We Kick That Goal And We Win The Game" argument or the "We Kick That Goal And Then First Tackle Concede A 90M Intercept Try And Lose The Game" argument, but the hours of boring repitition have to be put in by 2-3 Top 30 players...

 

[Worried2Death]

I wish to make a post about the 2024 season and Andrew Webster.

What really was he supposed to do?

SJ started playing poorly. Suddenly we win three in a row, including Panthers, without Shaun and then Shaun recovers.
He had to pick Shaun even knowing it would probably make us lose by changing the halves chemistry.

Let's play this out. Maybe he keeps CHT and TMM and they keep winning and make it to round 2 of the playoffs before losing.

What is SJ supposed to be doing all of this time and where does he stand for the 2025 Season. Does he resign? I guess so but due to limited playing time and not his form or injuries. Mean time random people in the press are saying maybe we would have gone further in the playoffs with Shaun. And that we would have won with him as well and with more points. And maybe some of the players read all this and like Shaun and it just subtly damages his relationship with the dressing room. Not by a lot but maybe 20%.

It would have been pretty cold and to be honest heartless for the club to finish our SJ's career like that. The Warriors in the NRL would have lost respect from thousands of SJ fans who don't just live in New Zealand but also Australia as he loved by the ex pat community.

A similar but watered down story with CNKs very poor play at fullback. If he pulls the plug after only 5 or 6 bad games what are the intangible impacts of that on the dressing room and for Andrew's reputation with Mohawk and Cameron who both may have a relationship with CNK and like him.

Andrew faced the following completely unpredictable bad luck

1) CNK playing bad inexplicably
2) SJ playing bad inexplicably
3) Tohu Harris unpredictably being caught by Father time

ALL IN THE SAME SEASON with the same human dynamics and organisational behavior issues to deal with if he ruthlessly chops them.


Where to from here. I honestly feel it has been enough games from CNK and Harris at a sub optimal level that it can be something to work on and correct for the 2025 season. While being ruthless mid season this year would have been poor from a long term perspective there has to be some ruthlessness eventually.

CONCLUSION

The warriors won 9 games this year and drew one. Andrew kept the wheels on the cart and stopped it from being a 7 win season. Andrew shows he makes decisions from a long term welfare of the club perspective vs winning at all costs next week. I am pleased he did this. He is going to get us our championship and he is going to win another Dally M coach of the year. His biggest test is now and he picks the team for game one 2025.

Good points Wrighty, he can't help Tohu, SJ and Charnze being injured but he might have culpablity for continually playing them when they were clearly ineffective. Injury management is a bit of a gamble, but you're right he was damned either way with SJ.

 

[Wrighty]

Good points Wrighty, he can't help Tohu, SJ and Charnze being injured but he might have culpablity for continually playing them when they were clearly ineffective. Injury management is a bit of a gamble, but you're right he was damned either way with SJ.

And to a lesser, harder to explain way, that was insidious with Tohu and CNK. He had to be loyal to them to. Especially since he erred by picking Tohu as captain.

 

[Wrighty]

Looking outside the NRL boys for a second:
It's not a lot, I know, but winning the Harold Matthews and making the finals of the Knock On Effect is a start that the club needs to build on and start bedding certain things in.

Back to the NRL:
Webby's worst moment in 2024 was not being able to stem the bleeding in the game against the Titans. Where we lost each half by 30 points. That speaks to a massive mental re-adjustment required that maybe was done for some games/points in games but certainly not others. The players need to walk out against every team with a "This Is Going To Be A Shit Of A Game" attitude, ready to grind, ready to compete, play it dull and boring until you get dominance. If you do, exploit it. And, yes, the 3 Times Wooden Spoon Winners Wests Tigers are pissed off and they're going to show that by smashing those bloody Warriors!
Sometimes to create long-term success, you have to allow short-term pain.
I'm expecting with two pre-seasons behind them, better work from CNK and RTS in their intended position. If the Warriors have faith in them as Fullback and Centre, accordingly, start them there.
I'm still part of the Pick The Best Player In The Position First, Worry Whether He Can Kick Goals Second school, but I'd expect kicking practice to play a larger part of training sessions this season. It's either straight down the middle from wide out, which is great, or a complete fuck-up from in front, which is great of it's not us who do it, often actually rather simple and dull and yes, you can play either the "We Kick That Goal And We Win The Game" argument or the "We Kick That Goal And Then First Tackle Concede A 90M Intercept Try And Lose The Game" argument, but the hours of boring repitition have to be put in by 2-3 Top 30 players...

I like this post Mr Blonde. Let me sleep on it and reply tomorrow.

 

[Worried2Death]

I like this post Mr Blonde. Let me sleep on it and reply tomorrow.

Let us know what you dreamed, they say many truths are revealed in the subconscious realm

 

[Wrighty]

Let us know what you dreamed, they say many truths are revealed in the subconscious realm

Yeah!!! I posted this morning about my dream I had about our halves recruitment strategy last night.
This clear voice at 4am while I was fast asleep told me were not going to be recruiting another half this year and told me the reasons why in full. I posted this in the recruitment thread when I woke up. CRAZY but true !!!!!!!

 

[Inruin]

Good points Wrighty, he can't help Tohu, SJ and Charnze being injured but he might have culpablity for continually playing them when they were clearly ineffective. Injury management is a bit of a gamble, but you're right he was damned either way with SJ.

Sticking rigidly to plan A. Playing SJ and Tohu to try and hopefully get wins and then rest them obviously goes against his next man philosophy and then when it was shown to be able to get wins and play well without them, he bought back SJ injured and incapable of playing, and Tohu needing surgery. I can't agree with wrighty that he had the long term welfare of the club in mind rather than a short term win focus. Certainly got lucky that SJ pulled up injured for as many games as he did or we could really have been challenging for the spoon this season. Showed an inability to identify and adapt, possible due to his inexperience. All up, some very poor decision making but hopefully a big learning opportunity for AW.

 

[Wrighty]

Yeah!!! I posted this morning about my dream I had about our halves recruitment strategy last night.
This clear voice at 4am while I was fast asleep told me were not going to be recruiting another half this year and told me the reasons why in full. I posted this in the recruitment thread when I woke up. CRAZY but true !!!!!!!

On our cricket web site I used to belong to there was an All time great thread for you to pick the best XI of all time. Bradman was on every list and the other ten guys changed from each poster to poster. One night I dreamed the perfect all time XI and then typed it out. I can't remember it now but Botham was at number 6 and he normally is never picked.