I think kicking games aside, one of the other things that was a real takeaway back when TMM had his little purple patch of form at 7 a couple of years ago was consistency and ownership.
I remember people saying this was now ‘his side’ and calls for him to be re-signed as a long term 7. That seemed to evaporate in the space of a few games.
I remember he would go MIA a bit especially in tougher games, where a few of his weaknesses (eg tactical kicking, organisation) were exposed.
Luke, albeit from a small sample size, tended to run towards those challenges and try take more ownership of the side. Which is probably why the idea of playing 6 and having less touches is less appealing to him. When he was playing well last year his defence was also much improved and he came up with a few clutch tackles (one being a certain try saver against the cowboys during magic round from memory).
Luke’s attacking ceiling is without a doubt higher if he remains injury free, but I also liked what I saw of him in some other important areas last year. If he can stay physically fit and get the top 2 inches right then I think we’re still in with a genuine shot at a premiership.
The shame of Martins stint in the 7 is that the Warriors gave up so easily, tell me a half (not aimed at the quoted post here) that has not had rubbish games in a row when the forwards are getting a hiding or (even when there are no excuses).
As such we have never answered the question, what if we gave this bloke the time that any other Seven would get in that seat (
Metcalf was rough in his start there too).
What tends to be the story is that when Martin starts shanking the ball, they pull him. That is not how you teach someone that can't kick how to develop a new skill (cue arguments that he should be improving in cup-yeah that just doesn't work for some players, some need the big lights to shine, especially older players).
I am pretty much at the point where I believe we ride it out with Martin,
Metcalf is going (but then maybe Martin is too) and if
Metcalf is to be used, that it happens in any other position in the team. I think we are running out of run way to re shape this team in
Metcalf's template (run it sideways, see if he alone can win a game).
The Warriors don't seem to be able to support first graders through the yips. We saw it with
SJ when he tried to become a 40/20 kicker, looked bloody great actually, then shanked it and put it away.
Watching
Taine Tuaupiki with his long set place kick, boot it dead on the kick off, the way his face fell (2024 he was brought in and used as our kick off guy) we seem to have a problem with getting players past that fear.
), 
