General Warriors Preseason 2026

[CWC]

Probably will be Boyd x CNK at this rate lol

Oh boyd

 

[Cces]

Is he even eligible for first grade?

If he is top 30 than yes. But we already have Metcalf, CHT, Boyd, Martin and I presume Linane in the top 30.

If he's on a development deal. We can't play him until round 11 if I understand the rules right (got that off a Webster interview last year).

Supplementary/Development players were getting picked from Rd 1 last year. We were even running EIT as 18th man in Las Vegas

 

[snake77]

Supplementary/Development playing were getting picked from Rd 1 last year. We were even running EIT as 18th man in Las Vegas

Thanks. I was listening to Webster last year and he was saying he could pick certain guys due to being restricted until round 11.

A good way to deflect the question. The radio host wouldn't be across the NRL rules.

 

[Neo]

Thanks. I was listening to Webster last year and he was saying he could pick certain guys due to being restricted until round 11.

A good way to deflect the question. The radio host wouldn't be across the NRL rules.

It used to be development players after round 10. It is now top 30 and development from Round 1, and anyone outside of that from Round 11. Slightly changed due to concussion rules

 

[3rdstriker]

Yikes. I've watched all five Warriors games so far this season and it's hard to overstate how poor the performances have been. From the Harold Matts and SG Ball through to last night's NRL trial, they've looked undercooked: slow, predictable, lacking in aggression, low on creativity, and less fit than the opposition. They also look, frankly, under-coached. Because the club has adopted Webster's philosophy and systems for alignment through the grades, the accountability starts with him. The current one-out, hit-it-up-the-middle tactics with minimal variation, risk, or ad-lib is brutal to watch, and it's showing up across the grades.

The frustrating part is that it's so clear that the game has moved on from that approach. Recent rule changes, including the tweaks this season, have opened matches up even further. Speed, support play, and off-the-cuff moments are now more dangerous than ever (as we've seen from other teams in both the trials and the junior grades), yet Webby seems to have retreated even further into conservatism. And for anyone arguing he's playing 4D chess and hiding some revolutionary attacking shape to unveil in Round 1, that's not how Webby has ever operated. The attack was bland and one-dimensional last season, and looked much the same in their initial hit-out. And yes, the Panthers and Storm also got hammered in their first trials. But they didn't field teams anywhere near as close to NRL standard as the Warriors did. Playing at home. In the wet. Against a combined NSW Cup/SG Ball team.

Webby may well be one of the NRL's best man-managers. The players clearly like him and management publicly backs him. That's a meaningful part of building a high-performance environment. But the serious question remains: can he actually coach this team to look consistently sharp and well-drilled? Honestly, aside from the heavily structured and well executed sweep plays in 2023, have Webster teams ever looked really well coached in the same way the Panthers do, or the Storm, Roosters, Raiders, and now the Bulldogs? I'm starting to wonder. The ultra-conservative game plan, embedded across the grades, plus the unwavering loyalty to players and coaches (assistant and lower grade) may end up being his fatal flaw.

I desperately want Webby to succeed here. I love his positivity, how he has embraced New Zealand, his drive to win. But he said something profound a while back that has stuck with me: you can’t win a premiership in the off-season, but you can lose one. Meaning, you can muck the pre-season up for the season ahead by focusing on the wrong things, not working hard enough, or pushing the squad too hard. I feel like something has happened here, one of the three has materialised. But I'm not sure which yet. If we see more of the same on Friday night, it's fair to ask whether this is a slow start or signs of a deeper issue manifesting.

Wow that's a huge speal mate!
If I was you I'd be waiting till round 3 or 4 then you're more than welcome to put the usual pitchforks in.

 

[Dannevegas]

Was it Cleary's 3 minute cameo in the NSW Cup GF that convinced you that he's ready for the NRL?

Anyone but Boyd at this point. I’d definitely go with that over Boyd and CHT

 

[Horriors2013]

Yikes. I've watched all five Warriors games so far this season and it's hard to overstate how poor the performances have been. From the Harold Matts and SG Ball through to last night's NRL trial, they've looked undercooked: slow, predictable, lacking in aggression, low on creativity, and less fit than the opposition. They also look, frankly, under-coached. Because the club has adopted Webster's philosophy and systems for alignment through the grades, the accountability starts with him. The current one-out, hit-it-up-the-middle tactics with minimal variation, risk, or ad-lib is brutal to watch, and it's showing up across the grades.

The frustrating part is that it's so clear that the game has moved on from that approach. Recent rule changes, including the tweaks this season, have opened matches up even further. Speed, support play, and off-the-cuff moments are now more dangerous than ever (as we've seen from other teams in both the trials and the junior grades), yet Webby seems to have retreated even further into conservatism. And for anyone arguing he's playing 4D chess and hiding some revolutionary attacking shape to unveil in Round 1, that's not how Webby has ever operated. The attack was bland and one-dimensional last season, and looked much the same in their initial hit-out. And yes, the Panthers and Storm also got hammered in their first trials. But they didn't field teams anywhere near as close to NRL standard as the Warriors did. Playing at home. In the wet. Against a combined NSW Cup/SG Ball team.

Webby may well be one of the NRL's best man-managers. The players clearly like him and management publicly backs him. That's a meaningful part of building a high-performance environment. But the serious question remains: can he actually coach this team to look consistently sharp and well-drilled? Honestly, aside from the heavily structured and well executed sweep plays in 2023, have Webster teams ever looked really well coached in the same way the Panthers do, or the Storm, Roosters, Raiders, and now the Bulldogs? I'm starting to wonder. The ultra-conservative game plan, embedded across the grades, plus the unwavering loyalty to players and coaches (assistant and lower grade) may end up being his fatal flaw.

I desperately want Webby to succeed here. I love his positivity, how he has embraced New Zealand, his drive to win. But he said something profound a while back that has stuck with me: you can’t win a premiership in the off-season, but you can lose one. Meaning, you can muck the pre-season up for the season ahead by focusing on the wrong things, not working hard enough, or pushing the squad too hard. I feel like something has happened here, one of the three has materialised. But I'm not sure which yet. If we see more of the same on Friday night, it's fair to ask whether this is a slow start or signs of a deeper issue manifesting.

Agreed. I have major concerns about our ability to score points this year. Apart from Taufua, nobody had spark. Blake Wilson showed up our lack of speed big time. AKP didn't have a great game today.

Other teams look on the up. Ours looks same as last year, predictable. Parra look sharp. Manly have a couple of sharp young halves. Cowboys look a different outfit with Mahoney at hooker.

That said, Putoko and Fatialofa look promising - not much opportunity, and one dropped ball from Putoko. But those two look likely. Jack Thompson looks good.

But if we're stuck with CHT/Boyd/CNK this year, we're finishing 8th or 9th. Possibly 10th. With Metcalfe out until Round 7 or 8, that's enough time to fall right out of contention. We can't rely on the forwards to save us every time.

 

[wizard of Tauranga]

I think Webster will have instructed the first grade players to play at 80% of speed power and intensity. Why throw shape if you don’t want the players receiving to run hard?

The aim is not to win, it no injuries. 100% no injury focus. This is the panthers/ Storm/ Warriors way.

The juniors on both teams can go for it because they are somewhat irrelevant to competition points.

Webster will have been seething at Vaimaunga going hard and getting a HIA.

 

[sydneywarrior92]

What a dumb attitude to have.

doing your utmost to be February premiers isn't that much smarter tbh.

 

[Falcon]

A few years ago I would have still been moping about the house after the trial loss.
While I did think Tanbah didn’t show alot , I think this game was all about a hit out and you were never going to see too much creativity from the halves. Next game might might offer a bit more.
Fish and Laban I thought looked really good for the Māori last night, and Laban looks to be developing really nicely. He will be an important part of our back row this season and his skill set could offer up a lot in attack.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

doing your utmost to be February premiers isn't that much smarter tbh.

For sure.

The footy season is a long one. Plenty of action can and will happen.

 

[WAH MAN]

Erin stronger runner and never passes so might work better this way

I endorse Erin as a capable passing lock. Perhaps if Fish is to transition to lock for us both he and Erin share it. Then Demi could go up to prop.

 

[Blain]

Yeah I dunno, I thought the junior sides should be more competitive to start the season. Especially at home. I do think the club is investing more heavily into Flegg this year than previous, with the amount of talent they have at that level. Guys who have done a couple years in HM & SG Ball. But still, the results haven't been good enough.

The NRL trial was a tough watch, sure there were new/odd combos across the team, but our defence was poor and attack pretty shit in the first 40, which was when we had a decent side on the park. I didn't see any evolution from last years attack, which is concerning. I really hope we have developed further than meat and spud plays, followed by a bomb on the last. Capewell failing to have any impact in attack, Gannon looking a similar player to him, Leka at centre has me worried about the coaches preferred structure. Are we really happy to having 2 second rowers who add bugger all in attack? I hope not. Teams like Storm can do that because they have natural brilliance with guys like Munster, Pappy, Hughes and Grant to attack sides. We don't have it, only Metcalf who got us a few wins early last year.

Really interested to see our response next week, time to fire up boys.

 

[Warriorsfan92]

In a positive, I’ve seen this years heritage jersey and oh my, you’re in for a treat. Quick correction, might not be the jersey but heritage top but it’s so sick. 1997 throwback

 

[Teets]

In a positive, I’ve seen this years heritage jersey and oh my, you’re in for a treat. Quick correction, might not be the jersey but heritage top but it’s so sick. 1997 throwback

Hopefully based on the blue alternate, because the SL era home jersey was hideous.

 

[mrblonde]

Only observation from me so far is it sames strange the Harold Matthews boys had no pre-season games. I'm guessing that was a "not worth the amount of money it'd cost to arrange" decision?

Related to the cost question: Do the Warriors make any money at all from pre-season games if they're not at The Mount?

 

[Horriors2013]

Some of us probably expected too much. It was just a trial That's how it goes when the off-season is long. But I still am worried about the backs. Slow af. While other teams have gained attacking power. Funny thing Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith have us in the 8 this year.

 

[Wrighty]

Some of us probably expected too much. It was just a trial That's how it goes when the off-season is long. But I still am worried about the backs. Slow af. While other teams have gained attacking power. Funny thing Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith have us in the 8 this year.

On the backs .... AKP is a massive pick up for us in the backs. He won't start round one but the outside back depth he will provide will be invaluable. Last year we had Kosi getting plenty of games. The other thing is that he isn't just wing cover. If Charnze goes down and we need a fullback - them roger to fullback and AKP to Rogers wing spot. He is good to go for position 18 or 19 every week as backs cover and no one cares about robbing him of NSW cup time as he gains nothing by playing NSW cup.
He is in fact a rich man's choice for the new 6 man bench this year.

Not directly addressing your points I know but he is a reason that will help us make the eight the eight this year,

 

[Wrighty]

If we all are just going to post our feelings then here are my feelings:

It is not that much fun to support a team that plays Webster's brand of football. It sure is effective and it leads to us making the playoffs every year, but champagne rugby league it is definitely not. We suffocate the opposition by winning the yardage and arm wrestle and then use our advantage to kick to the corner and make them start each set from the 5 metre line so even if they have Cleary or Moses or Tedesco they have no hope of scoring more than 20 points in any game against us. And then our offence consists of scoring tries by attrition. We use our boa constrictor techniques to earn a huge amount of red zone sets each game and then eventually through weight of possession and chances we score a try by doing a bomb on the last tackle that they happen to drop and we jump on the loose ball and score, or we attempt a repeat set grubber on the last and it hits the goal post and takes a funny bounce and we swoop in on the loose ball and score the winning try. Amidst all of this as chicken soup for the soul we have Leka who scores the sorts of glamourous tries that made us fans of rugby league to begin with. Hopefully Metcalf can light it up this year.

 

[Wrighty]

Here is a hot tip. One of the new rules is that it is a six again for a ruck infringement between the 20 metre line and 40 metre line. Last year it was a piggy back penalty. This new rules helps the Warriors as some teams only beat us in the arm wrestle by getting piggy back penalties. Take those penalties away and we will win even more arm wrestles this year.