It’s Leka vs Nanai that’s got me excited. I hope Leka carves him up.
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Last 5 weeks have been great, has been between 140 and 150m per game, with errors and penalties lower than his last few years so clearly going in the right direction.
Ford cranked up to 50 and travelling smoothly on Auckland journey
AuthorWill EvansNRL Reporter
Mon 28 Apr 2025, 01:45 pm
Warriors forward Jackson Ford is the type of unassuming workhorse who avoids blowing his own trumpet to almost a painful degree.
But after a barnstorming maiden NRL double on top of his usual industrious efforts in the middle of the park, Ford' chest puffed out a little more when pressed about racking up his 50th game for the Warriors, after taking four seasons to accumulate 32 NRL appearances with the Dragons.
It’s clear Ford views himself as a long-term clubman in a Warriors squad short on superstars but brimming with grit and spirit, as emphasised by their top-four standing and 5-2 record heading into a Magic Round showdown with the Cowboys.
“It’s come up so quick to be honest, to think that I've come from the Dragons and now I've already hit up 50 for the Warriors – it’s just pretty good just to look back on," Ford said after the 26-12 ANZAC Day win over the Knights.
“I was coming over here for an opportunity, not even sure if I was going to play NRL, but to get 50 games that quick is pretty good achievement and I’m feeling at home in New Zealand as well.
“I [recently] got engaged to my partner (Victoria) and we’re set up well. We've got a house over here now, so we're settled in Auckland.”
Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett was effusive in his praise after another big night in the front-row trenches with Ford.
“[He’s] someone that doesn’t complain about nothing when you put him out on the field,” Barnett said.
“He’s always going to turn up, doesn’t ask to come off and he’s that bloke you can count on. For us I’m just grateful we’ve got him in the team, firstly, but I’m really happy with how he’s going.”
A breakout player in the second row in 23 starting appearances during the Warriors’ unforgettable top-four charge in 2023 after arriving as an unheralded recruit from St George Illawarra, Ford endured a difficult follow-up season last year.
Moved from the second row to prop briefly mid-season, Ford dropped to the interchange and then ultimately out of the 17 for the Warriors’ last five games.
Ford’s inclusion for the Round 1 trip to Las Vegas in March surprised some but he has become an integral member of the Warriors’ pack again – with the rangy customer now exclusively regarded as a middle forward.
“At the start of pre-season, Webby told me he wants me to be in the middle this year, so I had a good pre-season there,” Ford told NRL.com.
“I’m just really trying to work on my connections with my middles and trying to keep laying those platforms where we want to get to on attack and find those spots.
“He's just seen some potential for some big minutes there. The game's getting so fast now and he thinks I've got a good motor, so just he wants to me get in there and do as many tackles, as many runs as I can and then get me off.”
Ford’s importance to the Warriors’ engine-room cause has only increased following Tohu Harris’ retirement, Dylan Walker’s early-season transfer to Parramatta and a recent injury to James Fisher-Harris.
Playing big minutes as a starting prop or from the interchange, Ford is averaging 33 tackles and 136 metres per game, as well as racking up 22 tackle-breaks in seven games. A rapid brace of tries soon after entering the fray against the Knights was just reward for his diligence.
“It hurts that we’ve had few good of our 13s that have left, but the young boys like ‘Dimmy’ (Demetric Vaimauga) and having Erin (Clark) come in as well, they're really good for our team to get those combinations going in the middle there,” Ford continued.
"I'm feeling good. Last year I had a few little niggles, so I’m just trying to stay healthy, stay fit, and just keep stacking up those games.”
Ford cranked up to 50 and travelling smoothly on Auckland journey
Warriors forward Jackson Ford is the type of unassuming workhorse who avoids blowing his own trumpet to almost a painful degree.
www.nrl.com
Berry has been injured for almost a year, played a few NSW cup games where he was clearly too good for, and so far has had 2 games (one against the Storm) with a one game break in the middle of the 2 games. Also has a new combo in Leka, Metcalf and Tuaupiki the players around him.
Imo give him 5 games in a row in FG, with the same combos and see how he goes before we start talking of dropping him for Pompey.
Despite missing a bunch of tackles on the weekend, there were no tries scored on his edge, so there's plenty of upside for Berry at the moment.
Also, I just wanna check that those asking him to be dropped are the same ones who were giving Ford and Capewah shit and saying they should be dropped. Weve all seen how those boys have turned that around. I would argue that out of those 3 Berry has the most upside, so there's every chance that once he gets back into the groove on first grade we'll see some quality mahi from Berry
Imo give him 5 games in a row in FG, with the same combos and see how he goes before we start talking of dropping him for Pompey.
Despite missing a bunch of tackles on the weekend, there were no tries scored on his edge, so there's plenty of upside for Berry at the moment.
Also, I just wanna check that those asking him to be dropped are the same ones who were giving Ford and Capewah shit and saying they should be dropped. Weve all seen how those boys have turned that around. I would argue that out of those 3 Berry has the most upside, so there's every chance that once he gets back into the groove on first grade we'll see some quality mahi from Berry
It's actually the Big Bunty Appreciation Society thank you.
He's building into his prime prop years and yes he's added some late footwork to his game (even made a half break against the Knights which we haven't seen in a while)
The plan with Bunty is ultra long term. A One-club legend with many generations of Afoas eventually donning the Warriors jumper.
And the best part is he's so chill for someone who knows he could tear your arms clean off your body if he wanted.
We need to keep good people like Bunty around the club.
Anyone else noticed Buntys footwork at the line now? He’s a valuable squad player who goes about his business without fuss and won’t let you down.
Afoa is a very good depth player that doesn't cost a lot. I think he is a no frills, solid player we need that balances the cap, experience and depth. Virtually zero risk re-signing him
Bunty has been great, very under rated defensively.
He is almost essential against big packs as he can slow momentum.
Great value for money signing too.
Webby has gone from giving the two boys garbage time, to starting Leka and having Demetric and Laban on the bench playing good minutes. All before halfway of the season. Amazing
Prop: Demetric, TSS, Tuipulotu-Vea, Salalilo, Crosby, Durbin
Second Row: Halasima, Laban, Ieremia-Toeava, Fatialofa
Lock: Gannon
Even further down the junior pathways to the Harold Matts we have some potential superstar forwards in Lennox Tuiloma, Bishop Neal, Lucian Mikaele, Satali Fretton, Ronan Byford and Krushil Koteka.
The kids are turning into a pack of hungry hyenas. I saw multiple tackles with Demetric, Leka, and Laban all pulling the ball carriers down.
Great for the boys to notch up another W! I was nervous before this one, thinking it may be the dreaded banana skin game, but this side certainly has a great level of resilience to go with the tight camaraderie that the coaching staff have built. I have to give Webby, Stacey, Agar and Cappy their dues for that. To be 5-2 from 7 is a fantastic start and one I didn’t see coming, and even more so once we began losing key troops in DWZ, RTS, and JFH in season, and with the departures or retirements of Tohu, Walker and SJ.
On the game, I’d like to go back and look at a replay but my initial impressions were :
- Metcalf had his best game at 7. I noticed he straightened up to help pull in the D line for one of Fords tries. His support play is also a fantastic feature of his game that can’t be underestimated.
- Clark is not only the buy of the season but could be our player of the year if his form carries on. Has been immense.
- Ford. Hats off to him for his 2 pies. For him to grind out multiple games of over 100m in the middle is a real testament to him and I am beginning to see more now as to why Webby backs him.
Even with all the positives of the above and relishing the fact we are sitting 3rd after 8 rounds, I am still tempering my expectations for us. Reason being is our PD being as poor as it is will mean if we drop a game or two we will plummet quickly. A teams PD is generally a strong indicator of where they are truly at, so unless we get a big win over the next few rounds I certainly won’t be getting carried away. If we pump the Cows or Drags (entirely possible) my expectations will begin to rise then.
Either way, I will celebrate another W!
On the game, I’d like to go back and look at a replay but my initial impressions were :
- Metcalf had his best game at 7. I noticed he straightened up to help pull in the D line for one of Fords tries. His support play is also a fantastic feature of his game that can’t be underestimated.
- Clark is not only the buy of the season but could be our player of the year if his form carries on. Has been immense.
- Ford. Hats off to him for his 2 pies. For him to grind out multiple games of over 100m in the middle is a real testament to him and I am beginning to see more now as to why Webby backs him.
Even with all the positives of the above and relishing the fact we are sitting 3rd after 8 rounds, I am still tempering my expectations for us. Reason being is our PD being as poor as it is will mean if we drop a game or two we will plummet quickly. A teams PD is generally a strong indicator of where they are truly at, so unless we get a big win over the next few rounds I certainly won’t be getting carried away. If we pump the Cows or Drags (entirely possible) my expectations will begin to rise then.
Either way, I will celebrate another W!
Feels that way. So we have:
Niukore -> Leka
Capes -> Laban
JFH/Barney -> Demetric
Tohu/Walker -> Erin and Gannon?
Feels like Demetric was meant to take the tohu slot. But i think thats going to be impossible unless you force him to 5/8 for some games. Those sorts of locks, at some point were playing as a half. Clark was, tohu was, walker was... So probably best to just make him into a good all out prop.
Gannon signed for 3 years
Leeds back rower Gannon signed for three seasons
Leeds forward Morgan Gannon signs three-year deal with One New Zealand Warriors.
www.warriors.kiwi
I watched some of the second half again. Gagai absoiutely clean skinned Leiataua on the Knights first try.
However Ali L learned from it and there was a play later in the match where Gagai attempted it again and Ali improved his lateral edge defence and moved sideways quicker to shut him down. So a our young blokes are learning from game to game and improving.
However Ali L learned from it and there was a play later in the match where Gagai attempted it again and Ali improved his lateral edge defence and moved sideways quicker to shut him down. So a our young blokes are learning from game to game and improving.
With the attributes of the roster we've got i would say when u see its a boring scrappy game unfolding......thats a great thing for us, Thats where we need to live, u know we're on the right track.We're not a side thats going to blow teams off the park.
Been critical of Capewell as well this year (deserved imo) but without doubt his best effort of the year.
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He has one of the fastest play the ball speeds. 0.5 seconds quicker that the team average. As a result the lad taking the hit up after him tends to make more meters as defenses are often still back tracking when the ball is in Wade's hands.
I am not a MN fan boy but you asked the question, there is the answer
We are having one of the best season openers in the clubs history. Seems to be passing a few folk by who are focussed on the small stuff.
Look, we ain't anywhere as good as Melbourne, but we play in a comp where the goal should be to focus on getting the most from what you have, rather than comparing yourselves to the special case in the Storm.
Otherwise you will never be happy and the buzz will pass us by.
Pompey improves year on year.
He is finding his attacking confidence now, posting Try's and making assists.
Clearly he is evidence that Webster has a very strong effect on his players off the field, almost all are improving slowly year on year.
Pompey should be one of the first backs picked, he is our defensive anchor, all he needed was to learn to be less humble, less selfless when he has the ball, take it and gun it. For that reason a stint at Wing play has opened his eyes a bit to what he is capable of as a finisher in his own right.
Making the trip over for this one. Have heard a lot about magic round and how great of an experience it is, so I thought I’d bite the bullet.