Post Match Warriors v Dolphins - [Round 22, 2025]

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Well, that was a heart-breaking game—and one that will have a real impact on our Top 4 and Top 8 aspirations. But despite the result, I thought it was a heck of a performance from a side so low on troops due to injuries. The effort was absolutely there across the board, and you’ve got to give them credit where it’s due. It’s just a shame that the “W” didn’t fall our way this time.

As someone else pointed out, sometimes those last-gasp wins go your way, and sometimes they don’t. Tonight was one of those nights that just didn’t, sadly.

There were still positives:
  • Great to see another debut with Eddie. He didn’t look out of place at all—some big, strong carries, and another young forward who hopefully grows through the system to bolster that promising pack.
  • Capewell was outstanding again—defensively excellent, with some great cover tackles. He seemed to miss fewer than usual tonight too, which stood out.
  • Erin Clarke was strong up the middle, as always. But you could feel how much we missed big names like Fisher-Harris and Demi out there.
  • I thought Charnze was very quiet at centre, and it should probably put the “Charnze to centre, Taine to fullback” discussion to rest. As much as I like Taine, Charnze brings physicality and size that really matters on yardage carries and contesting kicks—he just looked wasted out wide but possibly carrying a niggle?
  • Sam Healey had a good stint and I would’ve liked to see more of him, though I get that he’s still young and needed a breather. Freddy also added some solid impact when he came on.
  • RTS = Weapon. In some great form.

Defensively, I thought we held up reasonably well but that last play was terrible.

One moment that stood out—when Dal tried to kick through and regather, only for the ball to go into touch instead of diving on it. I noticed Erin giving him an absolute spray. Hard to know if that’s deeper frustration or just in-the-moment passion, which we’ve seen from Erin before.

As for Ashley Klein—he wasn’t the reason we lost, but he definitely wasn’t great. In the final 10 minutes, there were some moments where the Dolphins could’ve easily been pinged—especially for slowing the ruck and repeatedly pushing the offside line. They seemed to be consistently getting a jump on us.

Whether to take the 2 or not. Hindsight is a beautiful thing. If they had slotted it and gone 4 up only knock the ball on the next set and the Dolphins score there would be cries about it being a stupid decision. I was glad they backed themselves but their execution let them down.


Lastly, for those out there thinking the sky is falling or that we played too much dumb footy to deserve the win—I’d encourage a bit of perspective. That was a team missing not just regulars, but stars, and they went toe-to-toe with a side capable of putting 40 or 50 on anyone. They showed heart, grit, and fight.

Yes, it hurts. But we move forward knowing there’s still a lot to like about the direction we’re heading in.
 

NZWarriors.com

What are you on about? I conceded that Metcalf was a better option. No doubt after he came good. Don’t know why you need to keep bringing up the TMM v Metcalf discussion

No one is going to disagree
Metcalf is the better player- unfortunately he’s not an option
Go back and read your post again
Like This is the part of the season you have been waiting for.
Or whatever
And then.
Spare us.
Wtf
 
The last ten minutes showed the difference between the two sides. The Dolphins, knowing a try against them would lose them the match, pushed up in defence. The Warriors, knowing a try against them would lose them the match, sat back in defence and let the Phins move the ball around.
In what way did we own them, scoring 1 try. Not to mention 60 mins with Herbie out.

Our run home suggests 1, maybe 2 wins to end the season, looking through an objective lens.
We kept them score less for that long. That last set they got lucky. When we played long play of ball in action, set for set, we scored from leka. The grid. What we want to play worded. Get fish and edan playing, boom we win. Game plan works, that's what we want to see.
 
How good that a spine that started the season in nsw cup can compete against a top 8 nrl side without a host of middle forwards to lay a platform. Very impressed by the direction the club is heading and EIT didn’t look out of place at all
Add JFH, Demi and Egan back in and I think it's a different game. Halves did pretty well with a team that had a host of changes against a Dolphins side that's been putting big scores on teams this year and a lack of forward dominance (People seem to forget losing to Panthers C team with a 'better' side than tonight's one)

I also liked Healey's energy and runs but his service from dummy half was sub par at times.
 
Talk about falling off the cliff....since the impressive win against the sharks we have been lackluster in all but the tigers game....struggling to see any wins for the remainder of the season with them falling out of the 8.

Right edge defence is the worst in the comp.....bulldogs will rip it to bits next week. Make no mistake, if herbie didn't go off injured it would have not been a close game.

Sadly, I think tonight's and last weeks losses has put the warriors season on lifesupport in regards to making the 8...especially when you see the draw for teams below.
And you expected us to maintain our position minus the leader of defence and line speed, Barney and our attacking x-factor, Luka?

Take out the same 2 best players on both attack and defence of any top 8 sides, and their seasons will tail off too.

We beat the Tigers at home? Stupid analysis, Metcalf and 4 other first grade players, suited up at Shark Park.
 
A Lot of talk about we should have taken the penalty, i think we should always take points on offer if it puts us 2 or 4 ahead regardless, we get the ball back and can always score or get another penalty, Wayne Bennett would coach his teams to always take the points

Also was there a knock on by dolphins missed with about 2 and halfs minutes to go?
I get the want to take the 2 points, but with 6 mins left and them pinned probably don’t wanna take the 50/50 on the kick off

We needed the halves to stand up and control the end
 
And you expected us to maintain our position minus the leader of defence and line speed, Barney and our attacking x-factor, Luka?

Take out the same 2 best players on both attack and defence of any top 8 sides, and their seasons will tail off too.

We beat the Tigers at home? Stupid analysis, Metcalf and 4 other first grade players, suited up at Shark Park.
Never said I expected to keep their position.....

Metcalf played against the panthers, Stupid analysis. Warriors were very poor against the broncos before Metcalf got injured, Stupid analysis.

The teams form as dropped completely off a cliff since the sharks win....less the tigers game....
 
Well, that was a heart-breaking game—and one that will have a real impact on our Top 4 and Top 8 aspirations. But despite the result, I thought it was a heck of a performance from a side so low on troops due to injuries. The effort was absolutely there across the board, and you’ve got to give them credit where it’s due. It’s just a shame that the “W” didn’t fall our way this time.

As someone else pointed out, sometimes those last-gasp wins go your way, and sometimes they don’t. Tonight was one of those nights that just didn’t, sadly.

There were still positives:
  • Great to see another debut with Eddie. He didn’t look out of place at all—some big, strong carries, and another young forward who hopefully grows through the system to bolster that promising pack.
  • Capewell was outstanding again—defensively excellent, with some great cover tackles. He seemed to miss fewer than usual tonight too, which stood out.
  • Erin Clarke was strong up the middle, as always. But you could feel how much we missed big names like Fisher-Harris and Demi out there.
  • I thought Charnze was very quiet at centre, and it should probably put the “Charnze to centre, Taine to fullback” discussion to rest. As much as I like Taine, Charnze brings physicality and size that really matters on yardage carries and contesting kicks—he just looked wasted out wide but possibly carrying a niggle?
  • Sam Healey had a good stint and I would’ve liked to see more of him, though I get that he’s still young and needed a breather. Freddy also added some solid impact when he came on.
  • RTS = Weapon. In some great form.

Defensively, I thought we held up reasonably well but that last play was terrible.

One moment that stood out—when Dal tried to kick through and regather, only for the ball to go into touch instead of diving on it. I noticed Erin giving him an absolute spray. Hard to know if that’s deeper frustration or just in-the-moment passion, which we’ve seen from Erin before.

As for Ashley Klein—he wasn’t the reason we lost, but he definitely wasn’t great. In the final 10 minutes, there were some moments where the Dolphins could’ve easily been pinged—especially for slowing the ruck and repeatedly pushing the offside line. They seemed to be consistently getting a jump on us.

Whether to take the 2 or not. Hindsight is a beautiful thing. If they had slotted it and gone 4 up only knock the ball on the next set and the Dolphins score there would be cries about it being a stupid decision. I was glad they backed themselves but their execution let them down.


Lastly, for those out there thinking the sky is falling or that we played too much dumb footy to deserve the win—I’d encourage a bit of perspective. That was a team missing not just regulars, but stars, and they went toe-to-toe with a side capable of putting 40 or 50 on anyone. They showed heart, grit, and fight.

Yes, it hurts. But we move forward knowing there’s still a lot to like about the direction we’re heading in.
I agree with most of what you say but CNK at the back isn’t our best option. A lot of people on this forum giving the halves shit, CNK hand brakes all our attack when it goes his way. I think we have the back line to get yardage with him not at the back. We just need an effective centre that can run & pass the ball
 
The captains challenge rule can be funny or frustrating someimes.

Tuaupiki did well questioning if he ruled that he knocked it on. So technically our challenge was Tuaupiki didn't knock on. They were close to ruling on DWZ knocking the ball on into Niukore. Now who knows if they would have rule that has an unsucessful challenge or not.

Technically the unsuccessful or successful should be on what you challenged for. Tuapiki said he didn't knock on. Not Warriors knock on.

The Dolphins challenged and as they decide to look at everything they ended up penalised instead.

The Lussic one was tough as he was aiming to make a tackle no playing at the ball. Typically players knock the ball on trying to catch it.
 
Waka put things into perspective — Luka and Barney coping season ending injuries absolutely fucked our season. Add JFH, CHT, Egan, and a few others out of the side tonight and those loudmouth fans can eat a dick.

We’ll rise again. Just look at our NSW Cup dominance, back-to-back Harold Matts titles, and a never-ending production line of freakish back-rowers.

What we do need is to go out and sign some genuine speed in the outside backs. That’s the missing piece.

We’ll break our duck before 2030 — at worst. One thing tonight confirmed for me: Tanah Boyd isn’t up to this level. TMM goes missing too often. And Ford… look, I don’t hate him as much as I used to, but the guy looks like one of those dumb poms chasing the cheese wheel down that dangerous hill competition — needs a spell.
I feel you bro. And, I had all your points in mind when posting up. Like one of the other members said - 30 years of this same old shit - can break most people. It gets tiring. But we're still here. Parochial as ever! Altho, Hanging on by a whisker lol.
 
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