Post Match NRL 2022 - Warriors vs Dragons Post Match Discussion [Round 1, 2022]

[Wheels]

It will be a players things. The playing group would've chosen Addin Fonua-Blake over Shaun Johnson. I doubt there are any questions over Shaun Johnson's leadership ability, on and off the field.

I can't imagine it is going to be good for any team consistency if the captain is always on the sideline i.e. Johnson!

 

[Five&Last]

Luke Metcalf had a good showing with ball in hand in NSW cup this weekend. Dangerous runner, passer and kicked very well in open play. Defence is still a major concern. Got carried over for a try and blew a number of defensive assignments. Can't really tell if he added any size over the offseason which is probably the biggest concern.

 

[Wrighty]

Luke Metcalf had a good showing with ball in hand in NSW cup this weekend. Dangerous runner, passer and kicked very well in open play. Defence is still a major concern. Got carried over for a try and blew a number of defensive assignments. Can't really tell if he added any size over the offseason which is probably the biggest concern.

Sharks are standing in his way of first grade opportunity with Warriors.

 

[MurrayTD]

Development isn't really linear. Chanel Harris-Tavita is probably in a make or break season only because he's off contract at season end so we have to make a decision on him. And because we haven't really seen any tangible improvement in his game over the past two years.

Rocco Berry is probably ahead of his development stage. How many 20 year olds are there starting at centre for their clubs. He's looked good IMO. Probably doesn't have game breaking potential but is advanced for his age.

Vailea is a baby still. People forget that he's younger than Reece Walsh. Without any bias he's probably my favourite centre prospect in the league. You have to compare his to guys at the exact same age and position that are just dipping their toes into NRL like Selwyn Cobbo, Will Pensini, Tolutau Koula. He's a few months younger than all those guys and just as good imo. Elite prospect. The game on the weekend wasn't a good showing but ive seen enough flashes in QLD cup and the trial.

Katoa is probably slipping behind the development curve now a little IMO. He has massive potential but still makes really stupid errors (i.e. knock on from the drop out in the weekend easily avoided if he faces side on so it knocks back, among many other examples). He just isn't advanced in his IQ like Berry. But he's worth investing in still because of his frame, how many second rowers are that size and move like him (can only really think of Olakau'atu and Kikau). But he needs to start showing improvement this season

It is refreshing to read intelligent, well written posts on this forum (Mt Wellington, Robbie Mears and yourself in particular) as a long suffering Warriors supporter i can only hope that there are administrators at Warrior HQ with the same acumen, and outlook as you guys!! As it seems in my many years following the side that as an organization we lack the behind scene footy IQ to really compete with the Australian clubs? Anyway men i always enjoy reading your posts, and it offers a little bit of hope we will one day get it right.

 

[Aman]

I'm also perplexed by Brownie's decision to appoint Addin Fonua-Blake as fill-in skipper. Awesome player, but having watched interviews, and the post-match press conference, he's not the most inspiring of speakers, and he doesn't seem particularly enamoured with the role. I would've given the captaincy to Shaun Johnson. He's passionate about the Warriors, is articulate, and arguably the team's marquee player.

At this stage of his career, the fact that he's continually overlooked for captaincy roles perhaps tells us that there are still leadership issues with him away from the field.

Also I think we wax lyrical about Addin Fonua-Blake a bit too much. He made some shocking errors at crucial times on the weekend.

 

[john nick]

It is refreshing to read intelligent, well written posts on this forum (Mt Wellington, Robbie Mears and yourself in particular) as a long suffering Warriors supporter i can only hope that there are administrators at Warrior HQ with the same acumen, and outlook as you guys!! As it seems in my many years following the side that as an organization we lack the behind scene footy IQ to really compete with the Australian clubs? Anyway men i always enjoy reading your posts, and it offers a little bit hope we will one day get it right.

How right you are Muzza.
Just started taking notice of Mr Cools posts and he certainly has a great perspective of what is going on with the Warriors.
Lots of respect for his opinions

 

[Dixpat]

Also I think we wax lyrical about Addin Fonua-Blake a bit too much. He made some shocking errors at crucial times on the weekend.

1 handling error & 1 penalty recorded against him.

What are you referring to?

 

[Rick O'Shay]

1 handling error & 1 penalty recorded against him.

What are you referring to?

He was captain and he didn't get a win

 

[Boats n Hoes]

1 handling error & 1 penalty recorded against him.

What are you referring to?

He had a couple of low percentage plays that resulted in turnovers coming off our line that definitely put the team under pressure (by no means the only one tho).

That said not a bad game from him at all, still his usual strong carries and busy work rate......along with the whole team tho he'll look to reduce those unforced errors which killed us last week.

 

[wizards rage]

Also I think we wax lyrical about Addin Fonua-Blake a bit too much. He made some shocking errors at crucial times on the weekend.

I think he tries to hard as captain. Feels the pressure to step up, especially when the teams struggling. I prefer it when he just does his core role.

Similar issue with Shaun Johnson. He’s affected big time by his emotions on the field. When he said before the game this was going to be one of the biggest games of his career, you could tell he was going to go all out to make things happen and try to pull off a win. And he ended up trying silly ‘all or nothing’ plays. It’s why Shaun Johnson isn't captain material. Still to passionate, which impacts his game.

The teams better when everyone settles down and just does their job.

 

[Fonzies Tram Line]

Kristian Woolf for coach next year?

Bluey Vibes

 

[Noitall]

Bluey Vibes

Not a bad effort coaching Tonga to their first victories over all the tier 1 nations with halves that aren’t top of the bunch though. Had a brief stint with newcastle after Brown I think? Can’t remember how they went.

 

[Afakasi247]

At this stage of his career, the fact that he's continually overlooked for captaincy roles perhaps tells us that there are still leadership issues with him away from the field.

Nah don’t think that’s it. Sure, Shaun has a obvious history with the club but Addin is more familiar with the current playing group.

I agree with the sentiment that Addin Fonua-Blake might not be the best pick of the bunch though.

Outside Shaun, maybe someone like Aitken could’ve got the nod. Even Lodge - especially hearing he was leading daily team meetings during the preseason season etc.

 

[bruce]

If Shaun can't be a leader then maybe recruit a leader?

They have...Tohu Harris

 

[bruce]

Also I think we wax lyrical about Addin Fonua-Blake a bit too much. He made some shocking errors at crucial times on the weekend.

Check the stats mate...he is a rock star

 

[defensivebomb]

Also I think we wax lyrical about Addin Fonua-Blake a bit too much. He made some shocking errors at crucial times on the weekend.

For me, I am just loving having a handful of a prop on the field again, after so many years of knowing that’s what we lacked. Someone that the opposition fears and struggles to hang onto, or runs into and just gets stopped. It has been a long time between drinks

But yeah, agree with your point. Just trying to explain my hype

 

[Rick O'Shay]

I wonder also if part of the problem was that everyone was wound up tighter than springs (for lots of reasons)

Sometimes it's infectious when a couple or 3 senior players are going for the doctor.

 

[Defence]

Just rewatched this on KO- man what an underwhelming effort.
Round one- u would think they would come out breathing fire but they didn’t look ready at all.
The first post on this thread about sums it up.

So, this was our 2nd trial match?

Makes it worse watching with the benefit of hindsight and knowing how shit the dragons would be- they even played poorly and beat us- it was an opportunity missed really.
There was zero punch in this team- I would question the conditioning last off season- they all looked really sluggish.
Although a lot of it is mental too- really looking forward to niukore and Barnett ripping in- hopefully they can make a difference- even Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the type of guy who’ll fight over an inch- walker is a competitive guy as well- and I’m sure as hell walker is.
I don’t expect them to win every game but geez I’d like to see them at least get into the fight this year.

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Just rewatched this on KO- man what an underwhelming effort.
Round one- u would think they would come out breathing fire but they didn’t look ready at all.
The first post on this thread about sums it up.



Makes it worse watching with the benefit of hindsight and knowing how shit the dragons would be- they even played poorly and beat us- it was an opportunity missed really.
There was zero punch in this team- I would question the conditioning last off season- they all looked really sluggish.
Although a lot of it is mental too- really looking forward to niukore and Barnett ripping in- hopefully they can make a difference- even Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the type of guy who’ll fight over an inch- walker is a competitive guy as well- and I’m sure as hell walker is.
I don’t expect them to win every game but geez I’d like to see them at least get into the fight this year.

Im tired of seeing Warrior sides go into that first game looking like its the first time they've been introduced to each other!

I struggle to fathom at times with lack of combinations or no sense of gell at all just what the team has done over various off seasons......honestly look like strangers some years.

Heartened by Webby's comments that not just getting the players fit n ready but also team structures and cohesion are their main off season focus.

I guess tho until we see it put into action its all just words at this stage......my spidey sense tells me Webby isnt a Matt Elliot "talks a good game" type.......well thats what im hoping anyway.