General Warriors early season review

[BlackToko88]

How are you feeling heading into the bye after the first 4 games?
Where is this team going?
Who’s playing well?
Who isn’t?
Do we make the eight?

1. Pretty good after the Vegas shit show. Though with all the talk about the late shows, casinos etc maybe rhe boys just enjoyed themselves too much lol.

2. Well 3 wins out of first 4 games has a correlation with us playing finals. Long long way to go but we winning games we managed to lose last year. Thats been a big difference so far. Month of April will tell us more with storm broncos knights. If we can manage 2/3 wins here we can continue our push this yeR. And if we can limit injuries is key. Really want to see all the top boys fot and healthy with the cup boys playing well.

3. Egan, Clarke, Ford been my picks so far (along with charnze past 3 games). Ford was harshly criticised after Vegas but now showing jos attitude and ethic. Reduced his error counts and now is key off bench.

4. Niukore. I get his runs are impactful but he has tendency to do bonehead penalties.

5. I think we can make the 8. Id say around 5-6 spot if we can string good games. The key is winning games we should be winning (something we struggled last year)

 

[Inruin]

For me there are some massive positives out of the last three games. It's almost like the best result for us was the one in Vegas though. The nature and size of the defeat caused such a massive reaction and reflection that I just don't think a scrappy 22-16 loss would have done. I have very mixed feelings with where we are currently sitting though. On the one hand, obviously all Warriors fans would have been over the moon if they were told after five round we would be 3/4 and on 8 points. I legitimately could see us going winless for the first six rounds and we very much could have had it not been for that harsh shock of round one and a bit of luck going our way for a change. The other piece for me is the nature of our wins and the fairly obvious limitations in some of our play. I think the last three results have papered over the cracks somewhat. Are we building and can improve from here or is what we are seeing currently about where our level is. The pleasing aspect is that we fought hard for our wins, something we didn't really see for a large number of games last season.

My quick take on the players

CNK - looks to me like an old race horse trying to get up for one last big race. The last couple of games he has been great, even bringing back a step and elusiveness with his running. Can he maintain this form for the season?
TT - hasn't put a foot wrong IMO. Small but has that something about him that surely makes him hard to leave out of the team now.
Ali - I hope he stays injury free. Showing how good he can be and the big bit is I think he believes it now too.
Pompey - Mr Dependable. Gets some poor comments at times on here which I don't think he deserves.
RTS - wing is the best place for him for the team and looks more at home there than he did all of last season.
CHT - close to the player of the first 4 rounds. Is probably playing close to his ceiling and carrying the halves combo IMO
LM - is delivering basically what he did at 6 previously. I don't see this changing in any great hurry. We will get the odd very good game and the in-between ones will be average at best.

The forward pack is what has been keeping us in games and putting us in positions to be able to compete and win.

JFH - has been enormous for us. His runs don't have the same impact as AFB but his all round game is much better. Has added much needed starch to our defense.
Egan - seems to have taken on the main responsibility in the spine and is having season leading form. I worry about not spelling him for a period in games, though that may come.
Barney - continues on from last season. No nonsense and has a very good partner in crime now too.
Capewell and Niukore - our weakest part of the team IMO with the least amount of upside. A bit like CNK but without getting up for their last race. If they can hit somewhere near their best consistently then all good, but I don't know that they can.
Clark - has to be 13 and has to be leading the buy of the season award. With our two props provides a formidable triumvirate that not many teams can match.

Ford - found his niche with high energy 30-40 minutes off the bench. Has dropped the errors and penalties too
Leka - nothing more I can say that hasn't been already. Needs at least 30 minutes a game and should be pushing for a lot more on the edge by mid season
Demetric - a bit overshadowed by Leka at the minute but still strong. Again, needs at least 30 minutes per game.

Those are the main ones who have played most of the games. I think our forward pack makes us competitive for most games, our outside backs are solid enough but lacking a little in pace, our halves just haven't clicked much yet and that may well come, particularly against the lower teams - they are who we are going with though. They need to engage the line more and straighten up the attack in the opposition 20. The highlight for me so far has been the introduction of JFH and Clark to the team as well as Ali, Leka, Demetric, TT showing that there is progression and performance coming up from cup which can only inspire the rest of our youth.

The next two games are going to give us a very good indication of where we are at against two potentially top 4 sides. I hope we can build from here but I can't help but feel we are close to playing to our potential now. I think we are fighting it out for that 6-10 spot currently. That's a big improvement on 2024.

 

[run_it_str8_again]

Things to improve on

1. Getting the minutes right for each rotational player. Particularly keeping Fish or Barney on at all times so only one is off for a smoko.
What are Niukore's maximum output minutes and when are they best used? Should he be playing Leka's current minutes? If so does Leka replace him to start? I'm not sold on that idea yet but would like to see Laban start in Niukore's place. How does all that work?

12. Laban

14. Niukore
15. Ford
16. Vaimauga
17. Halasima

2. Defensive lapses. The tigers and sea eagles both exploited overlaps to good effect. How do we improve? I believe we need defensive organisers who call the line shape in game. This goes with or over the pre planned defensive structures.

3. Try line defence organisation and intensity. Clark and Fish have been burnt in the middle in consecutive weeks. Clark got one on one smoked by Naufahu Whyte and Fish missed the Tigers prop for their first try I think.

I'm sure there's more room to improve

 

[snake77]

The first 4 games where also going to be a good test. We have come through that quite well.

Vegas can be looked at as a disappointment due failing on the big stage, points conceded. It also looks like it could have been a wake-up call.

We won the next 3 games. Have they been perfect performances? No. But they have been grinding sides out which is a good base to build off.

The other thing I like is that although the attack is still a work on they are scoring on both sides of the field. We are also not restricted to set plays and have been playing some football.

The bye provides a good opportunity to assess things. It would have been nice to have it after the next two games, where the level of competition steps up a bit. However, I'd rather have the bye here than round 27 like last year.

We got a few games with a consistent line up which has been near impossible the last few years.

I'm still a bit wary as we had a stretch of wins and a draw early on last year. Let's get through the next few games and slay the Dragons as those punks started the rot last year.

 

[sup42]

Have to say that I am impressed with Metcalf. His natural game we all know well. And that running game of his is fine for a six, but a run first guy makes for a limited seven.

It is obvious that Metcalf is listening to Websters demands and putting away his running game in favor of game management. Something that we did not see during the first iteration of Shaun Johnson as our most influential spine player of a generation. Older SJ came back from the Sharks with a kicking game, a passing first game, run last game.

To have Metcalf grasp the simple concept that he needs to put away his greatest strength and therefore lose a lot of the shine off his game, for the sake of the team and to put it plainly to do what his boss says is refreshing.

With Metcalf it is obvious he is concentrating on what Webster told him to, defence, long kicking, goal kicking, ball distribution.

I don't think the Warriors have had many number sevens that play the coaches game plan so faithfully, our best halfbacks have tended to play their game and be the hail Mary clutch player type....rather than your Cooper Cronk type half.

Like I say, the fact a fast running Try scoring kid from Cronulla has parked his show off trick shots for Webster ball probably says everything about why he is the halfback and not the Maire Martin or any of the other alphabet soup cheap Aussie half hopefuls this club has lying about the place in case Metcalf or CHT blow a nut ring.

The point of this rant posted in this thread is that I believe that Webster is in total control of this lot, getting rid of people like AFB and others, picking his own guys this season where and when he wants, is why we are winning. The selection of his halves is the larger part of the success.

I know it is a contentious issue around here. I urge detractors to watch Metcalf and CHT when this team score Try's....their body language is off the charts, those two go crazy when we score, there is a chemistry between the two of them that is real.

 

[MrFrankWhite]

I know it is a contentious issue around here. I urge detractors to watch Metcalf and CHT when this team score Try's....their body language is off the charts, those two love playing for Webster.

100%. Something I noticed couple of weeks back and thought it could be the start of something special. We just need to stick with it and they need to keep improving. If they do, we have the bones of a top 4 team.

 

[Dlenai]

Have to say that I am impressed with Metcalf. His natural game we all know well. And that running game of his is fine for a six, but a run first guy makes for a limited seven.

It is obvious that Metcalf is listening to Websters demands and putting away his running game in favor of game management. Something that we did not see during the first iteration of Shaun Johnson as our most influential spine player of a generation. Older SJ came back from the Sharks with a kicking game, a passing first game, run last game.

To have Metcalf grasp the simple concept that he needs to put away his greatest strength and therefore lose a lot of the shine off his game, for the sake of the team and to put it plainly to do what his boss says is refreshing.

With Metcalf it is obvious he is concentrating on what Webster told him to, defence, long kicking, goal kicking, ball distribution.

I don't think the Warriors have had many number sevens that play the coaches game plan so faithfully, our best halfbacks have tended to play their game and be the hail Mary clutch player type....rather than your Cooper Cronk type half.

Like I say, the fact a fast running Try scoring kid from Cronulla has parked his show off trick shots for Webster ball probably says everything about why he is the halfback and not the Maire Martin or any of the other alphabet soup cheap Aussie half hopefuls this club has lying about the place in case Metcalf or CHT blow a nut ring.

The point of this rant posted in this thread is that I believe that Webster is in total control of this lot, getting rid of people like AFB and others, picking his own guys this season where and when he wants, is why we are winning. The selection of his halves is the larger part of the success.

I know it is a contentious issue around here. I urge detractors to watch Metcalf and CHT when this team score Try's....their body language is off the charts, those two go crazy when we score, there is a chemistry between the two of them that is real.

Great post bro, I am also echoing this same sentiment

This truly feels like Webby ball is underway. This is practically his roster now and we’re over performing to most expectations. Exciting to think how we would be looking possibly in 2026, 2027 as the boys string more games together

 

[run_it_str8_again]

I don't care who's ball we play

Webby ball
Leka ball
Jungle ball

As long as it's sustainable and winning

 

[John Nick]

Have to say that I am impressed with Metcalf. His natural game we all know well. And that running game of his is fine for a six, but a run first guy makes for a limited seven.

It is obvious that Metcalf is listening to Websters demands and putting away his running game in favor of game management. Something that we did not see during the first iteration of Shaun Johnson as our most influential spine player of a generation. Older SJ came back from the Sharks with a kicking game, a passing first game, run last game.

To have Metcalf grasp the simple concept that he needs to put away his greatest strength and therefore lose a lot of the shine off his game, for the sake of the team and to put it plainly to do what his boss says is refreshing.

With Metcalf it is obvious he is concentrating on what Webster told him to, defence, long kicking, goal kicking, ball distribution.

I don't think the Warriors have had many number sevens that play the coaches game plan so faithfully, our best halfbacks have tended to play their game and be the hail Mary clutch player type....rather than your Cooper Cronk type half.

Like I say, the fact a fast running Try scoring kid from Cronulla has parked his show off trick shots for Webster ball probably says everything about why he is the halfback and not the Maire Martin or any of the other alphabet soup cheap Aussie half hopefuls this club has lying about the place in case Metcalf or CHT blow a nut ring.

The point of this rant posted in this thread is that I believe that Webster is in total control of this lot, getting rid of people like AFB and others, picking his own guys this season where and when he wants, is why we are winning. The selection of his halves is the larger part of the success.

I know it is a contentious issue around here. I urge detractors to watch Metcalf and CHT when this team score Try's....their body language is off the charts, those two go crazy when we score, there is a chemistry between the two of them that is real.

Great post Dave

 

[regenerated borg]

So far, 3 outta 4's been pretty good.... no serious injuries bar RTS or suspensions...
IMO need to win 10 - 11 more of the 20 games left just to make the 8.. preferably more to avoid points diff..

Need to go up a level now.. every other teams improving too...
so all good so far ... stay healthy and suspension free boys....

 

[Mr Drag]

Have to say that I am impressed with Metcalf. His natural game we all know well. And that running game of his is fine for a six, but a run first guy makes for a limited seven.

It is obvious that Metcalf is listening to Websters demands and putting away his running game in favor of game management. Something that we did not see during the first iteration of Shaun Johnson as our most influential spine player of a generation. Older SJ came back from the Sharks with a kicking game, a passing first game, run last game.

To have Metcalf grasp the simple concept that he needs to put away his greatest strength and therefore lose a lot of the shine off his game, for the sake of the team and to put it plainly to do what his boss says is refreshing.

With Metcalf it is obvious he is concentrating on what Webster told him to, defence, long kicking, goal kicking, ball distribution.

I don't think the Warriors have had many number sevens that play the coaches game plan so faithfully, our best halfbacks have tended to play their game and be the hail Mary clutch player type....rather than your Cooper Cronk type half.

Like I say, the fact a fast running Try scoring kid from Cronulla has parked his show off trick shots for Webster ball probably says everything about why he is the halfback and not the Maire Martin or any of the other alphabet soup cheap Aussie half hopefuls this club has lying about the place in case Metcalf or CHT blow a nut ring.

The point of this rant posted in this thread is that I believe that Webster is in total control of this lot, getting rid of people like AFB and others, picking his own guys this season where and when he wants, is why we are winning. The selection of his halves is the larger part of the success.

I know it is a contentious issue around here. I urge detractors to watch Metcalf and CHT when this team score Try's....their body language is off the charts, those two go crazy when we score, there is a chemistry between the two of them that is real.

Metcalf is a good 6 and average 7

 

[Muddogz]

Three out of four is great, especially with a low injury toll and we have a good draw this year. We look better conditioned this year and more patient.

Last year we were too easily frustrated when we weren’t converting possession and territory into points and we’d end up losing games we should have won. We are embracing the grind and with the team we have we are well set for a battle of wills.

There are limitations to the team we have and we will certainly know more after the Storm, who I would think are the favourites for the comp. Pretty happy so far though and I think we are developing nicely.

 

[Wrighty]

My review boils down to the fact we are sixth on the ladder. Which is a great start

 

[JustLikeStartingOver]

I like winz and young players getting a chance and we are getting both so happy days.

Egan is carrying the attack so hard though, maybe he'll have a lucky season and remain unhindered.

One of the purple filth will probably elbow him in the head next week and we're in trouble all of a sudden

 

[Akkerz]

Forgive me Forum Members because I had doubts about this season but it's looking promising so far so I will continue to keep the faith.
Just remember folks it's a long season & hopefully there will be more ups than downs. We have been waiting a long Time

 

[Defence]

My review boils down to the fact we are sixth on the ladder. Which is a great start

View attachment 12392

Not as good as second though….

 

[Gods_17]

How are you feeling heading into the bye after the first 4 games?
Where is this team going?
Who’s playing well?
Who isn’t?
Do we make the eight?

What better way to take on Our archenemy than after a bye? Round 5: Feeling pretty Good right now.

More than a few speed-bumps aside, the Whole team's playing for each other. There's an air of Confidence about them as We're climbing towards the 5.

I thought Bunty did his job. Shouted "Go Bunty yo Beauty!" when he Almost, Should've, scored. The try he failed to read/stop was Way to easy and don't worry He Knew It! I'd have 'em on the bench come round 6 but the noise of Laban sounds all so good as well. Pompey-Kosi Big Ups!

Niukore used Another get out of jail free card then turned it up some. Laban's noise's ringing in 'is taringa, haha!

After the build up and Hype of Viva Las Vegas AND being the first game to kick-off a long awaited season, I felt gutted/robbed. Round 1 was embarrassing for the Team and Us all! It'll make for the start of the Greatest 2 hour special of "The NZWarriors GF Champions 2025 - The G.O.A.T-track taken, to Be The Very Best!" at the end of the season.
Trivial - Regards to Any team's Try Celebration. How about just keeping it simple (I really don't know how to put it, Henry Fa'afili?) In this era Every team seems to gang-jump onto the try scorer, even if it's the 2nd try scored in the 1st 10-15mins. Exhilarating, yes, but there's still 65-70mins to go and it ain't over til the fls . The 2023 GF's a Good example!
So Wahs... keep being humble in celebrating. Taking a page out of Scott Gourley's book - He Always had the 'poker face look' like he Knew he'd score, after said try/s, like it was Nothing New... on with the show Stay on the Plan, there's a game for us to Win.


Believe in yourselves boys, keep celebrations simple, We can Make the eight!!

UP the Wahs!

 

[regenerated borg]

To add to my earlier comment... I reckon we could make top 4 ... we have a better balance of young and old than most teams... there's a few WIPs ie the spine thats improving pretty quickly... the bench is getting better... and we have good depth in the cup team.... so this season could turn out better than most of us me included .. think..

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

Positives: resilience, resolve in defence, youth promoted, Manly are a good team, well beaten.

Negatives: Roosters and Tigers look bottom 8 teams, our attack has been a work in progress

Great start but everyone can beat anyone early season and things will become clearer around origin.

Overall we’re playing better than expected given the players lost. JFH could be amongst our best recruit ever!

 

[sydneywarrior92]

Positives: resilience, resolve in defence, youth promoted, Manly are a good team, well beaten.

Negatives: Roosters and Tigers look bottom 8 teams, our attack has been a work in progress

Great start but everyone can beat anyone early season and things will become clearer around origin.

Overall we’re playing better than expected given the players lost. JFH could be amongst our best recruit ever!

this is why I think it is critical we beat one of Melbourne/Brisbane after the bye or both. Not going to convince anyone until we start beating top teams consistently. We have the makings of a strong finals year. But we really need to prove ourselves against the very top.