(Picture of 19 year old Jack Thompson scoring for Jersey Flegg in 2025)
Something is stirring in Warriors Nation. The journey of 1000 miles to the premiership begins with a single step. And the Warriors HeadQuarters have been positioning playing pieces since Mohawk arrived playing 4D chess with long term moves that will pay off one glorious Grand Final day so we can all die happily when our time comes at the end of this mortal experience we call life..
We all know two things about this season. Firstly yes we are virtually a lock with our line up to make the playoffs unless Metcalf blows a gasket. But that we won't be winning the premiership this year. We just don't have the backs.
But let's appreciate what we do have. Our pack is arguably the best the pack in the NRL. Certainly it is second to none and even if there are packs as good, no one is better than us up front. Take Vaimauga - he is our third best prop and will be coming off the bench. For most bottom 8 teams he would be a starting prop and an upgrade to what they have. For us he sits behind Fish the Kiwi Captain and Barnett a Kangaroo. Vaimauga looked like he belonged on the international stage in the Pacific Championship. To have that sort of class as your third prop is outstanding, again he would be starting for the lower ranked teams. Laban has been promoted to second row starter this weekend and maybe he keeps that spot even when Niukore comes back.
But think of the depth and that choice. Shall we pick Niukore or Laban at second row? What a luxurious choice to make. And we are so stacked that Leka will come off the bench this year by the looks of things.
Our Pack
8 JFH - New Zealand test team captain
9 Egan - World Class Hooker
10 Barnett SOO prop and Kangaroo prop
11 Laban or Niukore - Both NRL standard second rowers
12 Capewell - SOO 2nd rower
13 Erin Clark Dally M lock of 2025
14 Healey -
15 Vaimauga - up and coming powerful prop
16 Laban / Niukore
17 Leka - unlucky not to be rookie of the year
NRL standard Depth
Gannon
Ford
Developing Forwards
TSS
EIT
Kayliss
We are the Bulldogs of mid 2010s. Stacked forwards with budget halves and backs.
But something is stirring to go next level. Not this year but soon.
The Warriors have given up on pretty much on developing home grown halves with some exceptions like Harry Inch. Three years ago we showed our hand. We began to acquire quantity of halves over sure fire quality. We figured if we sign 5 or 6 diamonds in the rough one will pay off. And even if we did sign a sure fire 15 year old prodigy there are no guarantees even with those players.
For the first time in those three years one of those assets showed a glimmer of promise. Jack Thompson actually looked like an elite prospect up there with Joey Walsh or nearly up there on the weekend. Our recruitment team has strategies. They are long burn strategies but they are going to work. How we acquire a premiership back line is still a mystery to me as our current back line is one of the lesser ones in the league but I have faith in Warriors HQ that all will be revealed in the fullness of time.
Lots of you are saying the same thing in your posts. "Our window is 2027 or 2028 or 2029" It isn't this year but something is brewing. There is something in the water.
I also think Gannon is a masterful signing. He will add depth to our forward pack which will be invaluable once injuries strike.
Rise up Warriors Nation. Rise up I say. Your time is coming. Do not be downcast if we get waylaid this season by injiuries or an early ejection from the playoff rounds. This is not our time. But we will be consistent this year and be in every game. Fish and Barnett will demand 100% effort each week. And the boys will respond to these two inspirational leaders. If I played for them I would follow them to the ends of the earth and back.
We are more and more experienced with playoffs and what it takes to win in the post season.
The Warriors. A team and franchise on the rise.
