Team List NRL 2022 - Warriors vs Dragons TEAM LIST [Round 1, 2022]

[playdaball]

I’m now becoming a little worried about this game. A lot of experts are predicting the Dragons to be the Smokey’s for 2022. Their side is a good combo of rookies and experienced players.
Hmmmmm

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Cautiously optimistic about this game but mostly just excited to see the boys running again.

Not much between these sides so i think it should be a good game. Obvious question marks on our rookie centres and no doubt they'll be targeted as well as Chanel at the back, but always exciting to see how or if the young uns can kick on.

Dragons looked pretty good on trial form and i just hope missing that last trial game hasnt left us behind the 8 ball. Looking foward to see S J in his rightful colours again, could be the key to unlocking the Kodi enigma, but at least we should see some better ending to our sets.

Strength of our pack is the key, for S J to control the game we still need them to dominate (and that Dragon pack arent slouches either) Katoa looked full of running in that first trial so im excited to see if he can take it to the next level....could be such a weapon for us.

Defence wouldve needed to improve over the off season and our structures looked pretty leaky at times last year (especially on the edges) am i right in thinking Brown has taken over that role from Morgan now?.....farken hope so.

After watching all the footy shows as per script we dont even make the equation ( tho we havent done ourselves any favours in that regard) and in reality we're probably at best a mid table team but man id love to see us stir the pot a bit, knock a few favoured teams off, be that fly in the ointment, the shit in the pond....doesnt have to go to plan as the establishment sees it.

 

[Juju]

I’m now becoming a little worried about this game. A lot of experts are predicting the Dragons to be the Smokey’s for 2022. Their side is a good combo of rookies and experienced players.
Hmmmmm

and 3 pundits picking us as wooden spooners which seem harsh.

 

[Beastmode]

Everyone is worried about our centre pairing, but no one mentions our halves defence in Kodi and Shaun Johnson??????

Shaun Johnson has improved in his defence, but he’s still vulnerable and will be a target to run at. Sharkies used to post him out towards the wing in defence.

Kodi was a speed bump and a shirt grabber in just about every game. So many missed tackles.

Now we have Kodi, Shaun Johnson and two rookie centres holding the line?

Chanel Harris-Tavita can tackle in close spaces with his shoulder charges. How good is he at defending open space ?

Its a worry.

 

[Cces]

Here's a few bits & pieces ahead of the Dragons match:

- The Warriors have had a win, in Round 1, in 4 out of the last 5 seasons.
- The Warriors have won 5 out of their last 6 games vs SGI but have just 10 wins from the 32 games they've played in their history.
- The Warriors will field an entirely different back 5 than they did in Round 1 2021.
- Nathan Brown has a 1W-5L record when coaching against Anthony Griffin & a 3W-7L all-time record vs the Dragons.
- Ben Hunt has won just once in his last 7 games vs the Warriors where as Shaun Johnson has won 3 of this last 4 games vs the Dragons.
- Euan Aitken didn't pass the ball at all during the last 44 touches he had across the final 4 games of 2021.

 

[Fonzie]

Everyone is worried about our centre pairing, but no one mentions our halves defence in Kodi and Shaun Johnson??????

Shaun Johnson has improved in his defence, but he’s still vulnerable and will be a target to run at. Sharkies used to post him out towards the wing in defence.

Kodi was a speed bump and a shirt grabber in just about every game. So many missed tackles.

Now we have Kodi, Shaun Johnson and two rookie centres holding the line?

Chanel Harris-Tavita can tackle in close spaces with his shoulder charges. How good is he at defending open space ?

Its a worry.

I agree, I’m just hoping saints are too clunky getting the ball wide to exploit it too often.

 

[Wheels]

Cautiously optimistic about this game but mostly just excited to see the boys running again.

Not much between these sides so i think it should be a good game. Obvious question marks on our rookie centres and no doubt they'll be targeted as well as Chanel at the back, but always exciting to see how or if the young uns can kick on.

Dragons looked pretty good on trial form and i just hope missing that last trial game hasnt left us behind the 8 ball. Looking foward to see S J in his rightful colours again, could be the key to unlocking the Kodi enigma, but at least we should see some better ending to our sets.

Strength of our pack is the key, for S J to control the game we still need them to dominate (and that Dragon pack arent slouches either) Katoa looked full of running in that first trial so im excited to see if he can take it to the next level....could be such a weapon for us.

Defence wouldve needed to improve over the off season and our structures looked pretty leaky at times last year (especially on the edges) am i right in thinking Brown has taken over that role from Morgan now?.....farken hope so.

After watching all the footy shows as per script we dont even make the equation ( tho we havent done ourselves any favours in that regard) and in reality we're probably at best a mid table team but man id love to see us stir the pot a bit, knock a few favoured teams off, be that fly in the ointment, the shit in the pond....doesnt have to go to plan as the establishment sees it.

Yep after watching all the aussie league shows reality has sunk in and this game will be tough! We have a more mobile forward pack so hoping we can get quick ball to our edges and run them off their feet! Kodi might be important with his speed and Johnson to control the tempo. Want to see Katoa unleashed also. If our defense has improved from last season I am hoping we can pull of an unexpected Win on Saturday and show the aussie league media the bird!

 

[Five&Last]

I’m now becoming a little worried about this game. A lot of experts are predicting the Dragons to be the Smokey’s for 2022. Their side is a good combo of rookies and experienced players.
Hmmmmm

Agree on the rookies part but not so much on the experienced players part.

It will be a close game, but if we can contain Sloan, Amone and Lomax I think it should be a straight forward W.

 

[Miket12]

- Euan Aitken didn't pass the ball once during the last 44 touches he had across the final 4 games of 2021.

Does that mean that he's now graduated from the Mannering School for Second Rowers?

 

[Louim8]

There outside backs prob the difference..... Vailea still to raw for me.... Berry deserves his spot.... I'm hoping they put Aitkin back in centre just shaw up that edge.... we can have Katoa and Curran on the edges ... And Tavega in the middle with maybe Sironen....but what do I know I'm a armchair expert lol....

Yes i would like curran on the edge as well for aitken as he runs great lines and Shaun Johnson would set him up with a lot of tries.

If katoa has developed his line running a bit he will have huge success outside Johnson and will be a standout player this year.

 

[Louim8]

I agree, I’m just hoping saints are too clunky getting the ball wide to exploit it too often.

Without looking into any stats and just from watching the game i thought Shaun Johnson is a good defensive half that can be relied on to make his tackles, nikorima however is bad.

If we are worrying about how our fb is going to go in terms of having to make tackles, we have bigger problems.

 

[JaggedJ]

I’m now becoming a little worried about this game. A lot of experts are predicting the Dragons to be the Smokey’s for 2022. Their side is a good combo of rookies and experienced players.
Hmmmmm

Sydney centric media.

Take out the obvious Sydney contenders (Panthers, Eagles, Eels, Roosters) and then take out the obvious Sydney cellar dwellers (Tigers, Dogs) all you've got left is choosing between the Dragons and Sharks and the Sharks have had too much turnover on and off the field to say what they'll be with any real confidence.

 

[Lance155]

Without looking into any stats and just from watching the game i thought Shaun Johnson is a good defensive half that can be relied on to make his tackles, nikorima however is bad.

If we are worrying about how our fb is going to go in terms of having to make tackles, we have bigger problems.

How man tackles does a fullback really make in a game...also isn't he one of our stronger defenders?

 

[mrblonde]

I don’t know if that’s necessarily the case.
He might just be seen as the best option for this game as it causes the least disruption.

That's what it feels like to me.

If Walsh had been rubbed out for a considerable length of time - ie more than 4 games - I suspect Watene-Zalezniak would have spent the pre-season brushing up on his fullback skills. But as the Warriors evidently see him as the best wing at the club and it's only for one game, why muck about?

Of course, Watene-Zalezniak or Berry might swap with Harris-Tavita in certain situations during the game...

 

[Louim8]

How man tackles does a fullback really make in a game...also isn't he one of our stronger defenders?

Exactly, but the tackles that fb does need to make are usually very important, something which Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was great at but if we are worrying about a fbs ability to tackle there a bigger problem to be fixed. The biggest thing a fb need to do on defense is due to his vantage point and being able to see the whole field from the back, the fb needs to number the defenders up properly and call out any moves he may see coming. Secondly hes the last line of defense if any line breaks are made but at that point its real hard to stop tries being scored.

Chanel Harris-Tavita is a decent defender, his big hits make it seem like hes a bery good tackler but those sorts of hits are more about timing and effort and i would be more worried about his ability to defensively read the gane and be very vocal about it, again Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was great at this you could constantly hear him yelling things out.

 

[The Falcon]

I think there are a lot of changes some of them subtle. A full preseason together, team bonding, building combinations with the guys that were brought in mid season. We have significant competition in a major weak spot which was decision making in the halves, we have a genuine superstar with a full preseason in Walsh, the young guns like Berry and Katoa have a full preseason and are more experience, a more mobile forward pack with the likes of Aitken moved to 2nd row and Curran more experience and cementing a starting spot, better cover at hooker with Otukolo, Kodi, & Jazz.
So I am optimistic but after watching the footy show and listening to Toovey pick us for the wooden spoon maybe I am seeing things through rose colored glasses again!!! Time will tell!

Toovey is all over the shop. He’s not in the same catagory as Buzz but seems to be working up to it.
Pre season picks from Aussie commentators are standard procedure .. Warriors toward the bottom of the ladder, this would be the case even if we fielded the kiwis side.
Everybody on here knows we are a shoe in for 6th-8th

 

[Lance155]

Toovey is all over the shop. He’s not in the same catagory as Buzz but seems to be working up to it.
Pre season picks from Aussie commentators are standard procedure .. Warriors toward the bottom of the ladder, this would be the case even if we fielded the kiwis side.
Everybody on here knows we are a shoe in for 6th-8th

The thing that shocks me is them then rating the dragons...looking at their team is embarrassing

 

[Gizzyfan]

That's what it feels like to me.

If Walsh had been rubbed out for a considerable length of time - ie more than 4 games - I suspect Watene-Zalezniak would have spent the pre-season brushing up on his fullback skills. But as the Warriors evidently see him as the best wing at the club and it's only for one game, why muck about?

Of course, Watene-Zalezniak or Berry might swap with Harris-Tavita in certain situations during the game...

Or Kodi

 

[Rick O'Shay]

I'm reasonably confident Berry will go ok defensively. Looks like he's a quick learner and seems to have a few footie smarts so should be able to number up ok. Vailea, not so sure as I haven't seem enough of him to have an opinion. I understand though that he played a bit of fullback in Union so he will at least have some idea of defence and after a positive pre season he may surprise.

As for the halves, Shaun Johnson turned into a pretty decent defender when he was still with us so I don't expect he will have regressed while at the Sharks.

Kodi is a turnstyle and will need some help

I'm looking forward though to how the attack goes (Bluey syndrome) and if we can at last dominate an opposing pack. Like the look of the bench

 

[dean]

There outside backs prob the difference..... Vailea still to raw for me.... Berry deserves his spot.... I'm hoping they put Aitkin back in centre just shaw up that edge.... we can have Katoa and Curran on the edges ... And Tavega in the middle with maybe Sironen....but what do I know I'm a armchair expert lol....

Yeah, the outside backs worry me to and Hunts ability to expose them. Dragons had the benefit of the Charity Shield match , they might be better prepared.