General Warriors Preseason 2026

[Tokyo Warrior]

I think it was the absence of SJ more than anything else, and he ain’t coming back

 

[Naynay]

Shouldn't come as a surprise I guess.

AKPs speed would put him ahead of Dallin in the first pick decisions, I mean at a club that lacks speed, going out and buying it is makes no sense if you start off by just looking at it in NSW cup.

Pretty certain that the coaches will think lets go. Try this mofo with the best back line we have and see if he can hold his spot by whittling away his flaws week by week.

Seems like the Warriors are ready to take a glass half full shot on this signing and try grow him into the role....rather than watching the rot set in down in Reggies and sticking the bloke on a plane off to Perth or the Superleague wondering what might have been.

Not saying he gets first go round one, just saying they will want that to happen if he can be ready on time.

We don’t really use our wingers like that anyway, they mostly play like the panthers wingers. Hard hit ups and finishing.

We are talking about changing the game plan totally to make AKP work as he doesn’t really like the tough stuff. So DWZ is for sure going to be named week one barring injury.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

We don’t really use our wingers like that anyway, they mostly play like the panthers wingers. Hard hit ups and finishing.

We are talking about changing the game plan totally to make AKP work as he doesn’t really like the tough stuff. So DWZ is for sure going to be named week one barring injury.

It's easy to play like Panther wingers - hit ups and good finishers when you have arguably the best play maker the game has ever seen, along with some great distributors and x factor around the park like the Panthers have for the last 5 years.

I feel if we have CNK and Roger in the back 5, you've got some significant meter eaters, and with Pompey being a bit on the slow side, I dunno it really makes me feel that we need to try something new. Don't throw out the whole game plan, but can we get away with say half the good hit up carries Dal does (make them up somewhere else) and then you have the massive bonus of one of the fastest players in the game at your disposal.

If we're running with Roger, Dal, CNK and Pompey for the majority of the year most defences will be very comfortable against us imo

 

[Naynay]

It's easy to play like Panther wingers - hit ups and good finishers when you have arguably the best play maker the game has ever seen, along with some great distributors and x factor around the park like the Panthers have for the last 5 years.

I feel if we have CNK and Roger in the back 5, you've got some significant meter eaters, and with Pompey being a bit on the slow side, I dunno it really makes me feel that we need to try something new. Don't throw out the whole game plan, but can we get away with say half the good hit up carries Dal does (make them up somewhere else) and then you have the massive bonus of one of the fastest players in the game at your disposal.

If we're running with Roger, Dal, CNK and Pompey for the majority of the year most defences will be very comfortable against us imo

Mostly I just don’t think we will move away from the middle power game which is out strength with the forwards we have to play a style that would suit him. Its also the play 2 carried that worry me about him which cant he made up elsewhere

If he plays this year we will probably see him do some long range work but I think the forum has got a bit hype on this one mostly cause it appears everyone is a bit dallin fatigued

 

[Cces]

his "Feeder" Berry was injured and he never had constant ball.

DWZ has scored off a Berry pass only twice in their last 20 games together. The last being Rd 7 2024 so 10 games together without Berry throwing the last pass. SJ made everyone look good in '23

 

[Blain]

Not often that I disagree with you Sup but, Dallin never shirks in doing hitups and has a great turn of speed. His finishing is top notch but unfortunately last season his "Feeder" Berry was injured and he never had constant ball.

I would never question DWZ's heart, but in terms of speed, he's pretty low on the NRL's outside backs list. That showed last year, couldn't beat his man on the outside like we have seen the last few years. I thought the injuries had caught up with him. He's never had huge top end speed.

If he can't beat his man on the outside, that's a big concern. His upside is limited - Not a big body, not good in the air, D average, aging. He is a leader in the squad and gives his 100% no doubt. With 2 years to run on his deal, will be interesting to see what happens with him.

 

[roguei]

I would never question DWZ's heart, but in terms of speed, he's pretty low on the NRL's outside backs list. That showed last year, couldn't beat his man on the outside like we have seen the last few years. I thought the injuries had caught up with him. He's never had huge top end speed.

If he can't beat his man on the outside, that's a big concern. His upside is limited - Not a big body, not good in the air, D average, aging. He is a leader in the squad and gives his 100% no doubt. With 2 years to run on his deal, will be interesting to see what happens with him.

"not good in the air"? I personally think he is one of the best wingers in the air. He's scored quite a few from a bomb into their try line, via out leaping the opposition. Wher as i think AKP is one of the worst in the air. I don't think i've seen him win in the air once.

This is not to say i DWZ should be on the wing instead of AKP, as i think any injection of youth into that back line is needed.

 

[Leon Black]

Not directly related to this thread, but after watching the lower grades and seeing the shift in junior signings since the Warriors returned home post-COVID, I’m confident we’ll be perennial contenders over the next decade.

In 45 years of following this game, I’ve seen potential come and go — but I’ve never seen an influx of junior talent like this, with a genuine conveyor belt pushing quality through the system.

Last season’s Harold Matthews Cup and NSW Cup results are clear proof we need to trust the process and be patient while this group comes together. This could be the foundation of a dynasty.

(Also… not a paid plug for the sponsor — I preferred Puma too )

 

[CWC]

Warriors when we win our first premiership

 

[Five&Last]

Heard twice now (on Facebook and reddit) that AKP was training with the 1st team and DWZ was on the 2nd. But skeptical as I would of thought someone here would of said so.

Christmas come early if thats true.

There's no way you can just give DWZ a clean slate after the season he had last year.

Would send all the wrong messages to let him line up round 1 in first grade, regardless of experience/seniority.

Hopefully DWZ gets back some form, rips up in Cup and creates some pressure on AKP.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Christmas come early if thats true.

There's no way you can just give DWZ a clean slate after the season he had last year.

Would send all the wrong messages to let him line up round 1 in first grade, regardless of experience/seniority.

Hopefully DWZ gets back some form, rips up in Cup and creates some pressure on AKP.

AKP couldn't even make the Titans side last year which indicates he was even worse than Dallin though?

Maybe they've both been given clean slates and now there's decent competition, who ever gets the job has looked the best in preseason.

You can't just given Dallin first crack because of seniority, but you also can't NOT give him the job because of a poor year last year.

 

[Lance155]

Regardless of who starts the year I feel like its safe to say we will see AKP improve a lot under Webby. History tells us he is a master of this.

 

[snake77]

I usually like the off season. Summer so I can spend evenings out on the bike.

In saying that. It's getting to the point it will be cool to see the side run out. Looking forward to the trials. Usually the first one is interesting seeing some of the young guys given a run. Then seeing what may be the top side. Where the recruits may fit in or any changes they may be looking at.

 

[Chchfanatic]

I notice in everyone’s predicted 17 there is know mention of Jacob Laban. He
Is my pick for a standout this year , alongside Demitric.
He was going great guns before his injury. Forgotten man by all the media.

 

[snake77]

DWZ has scored off a Berry pass only twice in their last 20 games together. The last being Rd 7 2024 so 10 games together without Berry throwing the last pass. SJ made everyone look good in '23

That is an interesting stat. As you get the impression that when they are together the right hand side is more organised in terms of the lines everyone is running.

A lot of that impression though would be from 2023 where Johnson had that side well organised. Also we haven't looked as fluid as 2023 the last few years.

Berry has had some good direct runs to go through and score. We have seen the same from Leiataua

Both of them have also been hampered by injuries. Berry 2024, 2025 and DWZ 2025.

 

[Naynay]

I notice in everyone’s predicted 17 there is know mention of Jacob Laban. He
Is my pick for a standout this year , alongside Demitric.
He was going great guns before his injury. Forgotten man by all the media.

Over stacked team in the forwards, probably 12 players for 8 spots

 

[Neo]

I notice in everyone’s predicted 17 there is know mention of Jacob Laban. He
Is my pick for a standout this year , alongside Demitric.
He was going great guns before his injury. Forgotten man by all the media.

I think it’s harder to find a place for him on the bench because he doesn’t really cover the middle. If a second rower was to go down I think he would come into the side but if you have Leka and Capewell starting, with Niukore able to cover in case of injury, he is harder to find a spot for

 

[watcher]

I would have Laban starting at 2nd row with Halasima, both are very effective both sides of the ball and both provide targets in the air.

 

[Dannevegas]

AKP couldn't even make the Titans side last year which indicates he was even worse than Dallin though?

Maybe they've both been given clean slates and now there's decent competition, who ever gets the job has looked the best in preseason.

You can't just given Dallin first crack because of seniority, but you also can't NOT give him the job because of a poor year last year.

I don’t think Dallin would be getting picked ahead of Sami and Fifita either.
We can’t have all of our back 3 30+ year olds

 

[Damo]

I would have Laban starting at 2nd row with Halasima, both are very effective both sides of the ball and both provide targets in the air.

These two will hopefully be the starting pair by the end of the season.