General 2018

[African warrior]

Just rewatching some of the 2018 games and wondering what the hell happened. It’s was a great year for the team, even with the early finals exit. We started on fire, a team which was doing all the little things right, we could attack form anywhere against anyone.

Obviously Corvo’s influence was apparent, but the team just seemed to have a different vibe, everyone looked really confident and full of belief. Even when things leveled out we still looked like a team cappable of mixing with the big guys. Compare that to the last two seasons and you’ve got to feel something changed in the background.

Our attacking play had variations within the structure, players were running support lines with intent, we had a defensive steal to us that’s disappeared

Its just a sad sight because that should have been a foundation year for us to build on has turned into that bright spot year with hopelessness surrounding it

 

[Rizzah]

Just rewatching some of the 2018 games and wondering what the hell happened. It’s was a great year for the team, even with the early finals exit. We started on fire, a team which was doing all the little things right, we could attack form anywhere against anyone.

Obviously Corvo’s influence was apparent, but the team just seemed to have a different vibe, everyone looked really confident and full of belief. Even when things leveled out we still looked like a team cappable of mixing with the big guys. Compare that to the last two seasons and you’ve got to feel something changed in the background.

Our attacking play had variations within the structure, players were running support lines with intent, we had a defensive steal to us that’s disappeared

Its just a sad sight because that should have been a foundation year for us to build on has turned into that bright spot year with hopelessness surrounding it

Was it all Cappy?

 

[Noitall]

Was it all Cappy?

A fair bit Shaun Johnson too I think.

 

[African warrior]

Was it all Cappy?

maybe🤔, like him or not we definitely miss his attacking structure, right now there’s no creativity in the plan

 

[Off The Bench]

maybe🤔, like him or not we definitely miss his attacking structure, right now there’s no creativity in the plan

Never was it was Shaun Johnson or sometimes we'd get lucky .

Amazing just about a whole new team .that year
It took almost a whole season before the warriors rot set in .

 

[Swanny]

Never was it was Shaun Johnson or sometimes we'd get lucky .

Amazing just about a whole new team .that year
It took almost a whole season before the warriors rot set in .

Disagree. Even when Shaun Johnson was absent in 2018 we had good shape (He missed a fair few games that year). I think it was the influence of Steve McNamara. He brought a bit of the Roosters play across with him

 

[Off The Bench]

Disagree. Even when Shaun Johnson was absent in 2018 we had good shape (He missed a fair few games that year). I think it was the influence of Steve McNamara. He brought a bit of the Roosters play across with him

It's ok your allowed to be wrong .

Stay safe

 

[African warrior]

I think losing both was a big hit, what Shaun Johnson offered was a player defenses had to look at closely wether as a option out the back or as a receiver. His quick hands at the line allowed for so many tip on plays to the Fusitua. We also had more threats, Green as the axis, Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck put the back, each with runners to hit. That right edge was amazing but the left was also good when called upon.

 

[wizards rage]

Confidence, running lines, support play, set plays. Not Shaun Johnson, it was structure and coaching related.

And obviously not Kearney.

 

[eudebrito]

The won games (impressively, against good teams) with Lino. Think that's part of why they thought to hardball Johnson to begin with, didn't think they needed him.

Was really weird how far and fast everyone else fell off the next year

 

[snake77]

I think there was a number of factors.

There was a large turnover of players which gave the team a fresh feel. I've been saying for years a lot of sides rebuild quickly buy turning over a large amount of players instead of 1-2 like some clubs do. The unknown was if the side would gel or not.

The experience and higher fitness levels gave the side a harder back bone. They had some good come backs and competed in matches longer.

The Green/Johnson combination shouldn't be under estimated. Both gave the other what they need in a halves. Johnson someone who can organise and let him come in when he is ready. Green like at Manly could direct the play and take the load off Johnson.

Johnson's long kicking game is also now missed.

We had a lethal right edge with Johnson, Harris, Hiku and Fusitua. Now both edges are blunted although the left is with Hiku and Maumalo is better than 2018.

McFadden's coaching also shouldn't be under estimated. He was relieved of the top job and could get back to day to day coaching. Our style of play while he was here was a lot better than since he has left. So the coaching from 2019 needs to be looked at.

The shame is although 2018 started well, had a fantastic away record they seemed to fade towards the end of the season. But it gave them a lot to work off for 2019.