Pick Your Team Warriors v Manly - [Round 2, 2025]

[Tookey 2.0]

Surprised no one's picked Barney as an edge for next week. He was there during our best games last year, against the Rabbitohs, Panthers, Dolphins and Cowboys when we played our best footy.
We're having issues with our edges...imo it's a very easy fix and start Barney there.
I'd either drop Marata for Ale, or use him for 30 minutes off the bench to run hard and straight in the middle.

CNK (worst game of his career, won't be like that again)
Taine
Ali
Pompey
RTS
CHT
Metcalf
Fish
Egan
Bunty
Barny
Capewell
Clark

Walker
Vaumunga
Halasima
Niukore/Ale/Ford/Healy

Having Ale and Bunty in the team over Ford and Niukore gives us about 12kg more weight at prop, with Ale also about 5kg heavier than Niukore. Barnett also has an offload so will look better on an edge.

Those changes to the pack should help with us getting dominated, however it's all for nought if we don't change up some of the game plan somewhat:

- Metcalf to give the chases opportunity to contest bombs
- bench needs to be better. Vaumunga, Halasima, Ale and Walker to push the tempo from the 20-40 minutes.
- Dont use TT as a one out hit up merchant. That's painful to watch.

Imo we make these small adjustments and we should be a bit more solid through the middle with heavier and defence focused (Bunty) players coming in, means that CHT and Metcalf have a little more to work with.

 

[Inruin]

My thesis of CHT and LM being a passable halves combo relied on Webby putting an okay team and gameplan around them to support that. What we saw was the complete opposite. We may have to rely on TMMs individualism to make us competitive.

I don't know how the background of this went but my thoughts are webby talked to each of the players and asked about playing half. TMM probably in his relaxed manner would have said something like if that's where you want me, whatever's best for the team. LM would have gone on about yes, it's my dream, I want to be the best half in the comp etc etc. And AW would have eaten that up instead of what the great coaches like Bennett and Bellamy who would have picked the best players in the best position for them.

A bit of Ali's family and church first thing. Different players have different personalities and make up.

I don't think AW is either strong enough or has the foresight to pick the best team.

We will no doubt have some better performances and likely he will take that as signs we aren't far off. Man I hope I'm wrong but so far it's playing out predictably

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Surprised no one's picked Barney as an edge for next week. He was there during our best games last year, against the Rabbitohs, Panthers, Dolphins and Cowboys when we played our best footy.
We're having issues with our edges...imo it's a very easy fix and start Barney there.
I'd either drop Marata for Ale, or use him for 30 minutes off the bench to run hard and straight in the middle.

CNK (worst game of his career, won't be like that again)
Taine
Ali
Pompey
RTS
CHT
Metcalf
Fish
Egan
Bunty
Barny
Capewell
Clark

Walker
Vaumunga
Halasima
Niukore/Ale/Ford/Healy

Having Ale and Bunty in the team over Ford and Niukore gives us about 12kg more weight at prop, with Ale also about 5kg heavier than Niukore. Barnett also has an offload so will look better on an edge.

Those changes to the pack should help with us getting dominated, however it's all for nought if we don't change up some of the game plan somewhat:

- Metcalf to give the chases opportunity to contest bombs
- bench needs to be better. Vaumunga, Halasima, Ale and Walker to push the tempo from the 20-40 minutes.
- Dont use TT as a one out hit up merchant. That's painful to watch.

Imo we make these small adjustments and we should be a bit more solid through the middle with heavier and defence focused (Bunty) players coming in, means that CHT and Metcalf have a little more to work with.

Cos Barney doesn’t move well laterally and he’s also our best prop. Your solution is basically the same as Webbys.

 

[Naynay]

Cos Barney doesn’t move well laterally and he’s also our best prop. Your solution is basically the same as Webbys.

Yeah, we got good second rowers coming through barny has been best in the middle and isnt what needs to be changed.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Cos Barney doesn’t move well laterally and he’s also our best prop. Your solution is basically the same as Webbys.

Weird, Barney has less missed tackles in the last two years on an edge than in the middle though? What evidence do you have to suggest that he doesn't move well laterally?

Yeah Barney was great for us last year and he's probably going to be great for us this year too, but if we have a massive issue in Niukore on an edge currently, we have better placed players in Bunty and Ale who imo can do a consistently better job in the front row NOW, as opposed to relying on Laban and Leka who are less than 10 games into their career.

What are your thoughts to improving this team in 2 weeks?

Also, comparing my solutions to the 2023 Daly M coach of the year isn't nearly as offensive as you may think

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Weird, Barney has less missed tackles in the last two years on an edge than in the middle though? What evidence do you have to suggest that he doesn't move well laterally?

Yeah Barney was great for us last year and he's probably going to be great for us this year too, but if we have a massive issue in Niukore on an edge currently, we have better placed players in Bunty and Ale who imo can do a consistently better job in the front row NOW, as opposed to relying on Laban and Leka who are less than 10 games into their career.

What are your thoughts to improving this team in 2 weeks?

Also, comparing my solutions to the 2023 Daly M coach of the year isn't nearly as offensive as you may think

definitely wasn't meant to be offensive. Just that it wasn't different.

Barnett is a beast vertically running north south. Hits and sticks, great initial contact which is why he has good stats. But he gets run completely around when having to scramble east-west as he did last year numerous times and probably did on the weekend but its hard to tell with how diabolical the other two are.

Also we have no props outside of fish and Barnett so when you put him in the 2nd row you reduce our prop strength by 50%.

The solution is easy; admit its a rebuild, fire Marata and Capewell into the sun and run

11 Laban
12 Demetric
13 Leka

or some version of that. Ford plays cos he can cover 2nd row and prop. Let these guys build some confidence and combinations with their outsides and halves.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

definitely wasn't meant to be offensive. Just that it wasn't different.

Barnett is a beast vertically running north south. Hits and sticks, great initial contact which is why he has good stats. But he gets run completely around when having to scramble east-west as he did last year numerous times and probably did on the weekend but its hard to tell with how diabolical the other two are.

Also we have no props outside of fish and Barnett so when you put him in the 2nd row you reduce our prop strength by 50%.

The solution is easy; admit its a rebuild, fire Marata and Capewell into the sun and run

11 Laban
12 Demetric
13 Leka

or some version of that. Ford plays cos he can cover 2nd row and prop. Let these guys build some confidence and combinations with their outsides and halves.

I dunno man. Throw the baby out with the bath water after one game and say it's a rebuild?

I believe we have the makings of a decent team - I don't think we're going to win the comp this year, but if we play to our ability I think we're a team who can comfortably sit in the 8. (8th is comfortable aye? Lol).

Imo where Webby falls down is 2 key areas - his bench rotations largely have been very poor, and I don't think he has a back up plan.

It didn't look like he was able to respond to the Raiders approach to throw the ball around. He's been guilty of not having a plan B in the past.

Like, look at how those short passes in the middle and a few offloads seemed to work in the trials. Vaumunga and Walker were causing havoc. Why didn't we try that against the Raiders?

 

[Boston Boy]

I dunno man. Throw the baby out with the bath water after one game and say it's a rebuild?

I believe we have the makings of a decent team - I don't think we're going to win the comp this year, but if we play to our ability I think we're a team who can comfortably sit in the 8. (8th is comfortable aye? Lol).

Imo where Webby falls down is 2 key areas - his bench rotations largely have been very poor, and I don't think he has a back up plan.

It didn't look like he was able to respond to the Raiders approach to throw the ball around. He's been guilty of not having a plan B in the past.

Like, look at how those short passes in the middle and a few offloads seemed to work in the trials. Vaumunga and Walker were causing havoc. Why didn't we try that against the Raiders?

We can have a decent team but the game plan and cattle we have do not marry together. Web needs to modify the game plan I think.

 

[Beastmode]

Geeze I hope we win this just to shut all you haters up.

By golly if we lose you lot gonna have a field day

In Webby I trust (until rd6 )

 

[snake77]

I'd be surprised if he makes any changes. We have seen the last few years after a bad loss and it would be the same team or a minor change.

We might see the 17th spot on the bench they were debating being swapped.

It would be good to lay down the law that there needs to be improvement and maybe make some earn their spot again. I am expecting it will likely be the same team and some comments on addressing the issues from round 1.

 

[Nakiproud]

Think we have seen enough of how he operates..his ego won't allow him to accept he was wrong with his line up..but..he does know more than us about the game! Does that make both of us wrong??

 

[BlackToko88]

it reminded me of 2019 rwc when england came out firing and ABs had no plan B and couldnt adapt.

I dont see too many changes tbh. He would know first hand shifting barnett to lock and ford failrd and made him look like a fool.

Ive always had a soft spot for Capewell but his performances have regressed (yea started slow too last year got better after origin 2), but with young Laban who looks ready id give him a crack.

IMO trials would hae been perfect time to try out Leka at 13 and Demi on edge.

I am however tipping Boyd to be selected (if he comes up good). His organisation is important and kicking game, cause we all know DCE will pepper us with his

 

[Inruin]

it reminded me of 2019 rwc when england came out firing and ABs had no plan B and couldnt adapt.

I dont see too many changes tbh. He would know first hand shifting barnett to lock and ford failrd and made him look like a fool.

Ive always had a soft spot for Capewell but his performances have regressed (yea started slow too last year got better after origin 2), but with young Laban who looks ready id give him a crack.

IMO trials would hae been perfect time to try out Leka at 13 and Demi on edge.

I am however tipping Boyd to be selected (if he comes up good). His organisation is important and kicking game, cause we all know DCE will pepper us with his

Yup, preseason games are a good time to try out players, positions and combos. Other than that AW would have selected the majority of his round one team prior to them. Be interesting now to see if he can pivot to a different selection. NSW cup player positions and form is now going to be critical

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Think we have seen enough of how he operates..his ego won't allow him to accept he was wrong with his line up..but..he does know more than us about the game! Does that make both of us wrong??

Neither him or us have won a prem so.

 

[Ref]

Taine
RTS
Pompey
Ali
Kali
Metcalf
TMM
Barnett
Healey
JFH
Laban
Leka
Clark

Afoa
Ale
Walker
Vaumaga

That’s the team Ricky Stuart or Wayne Bennett would pick if they had this squad.
If we want to win games or if it’s a rebuild, whichever. Start now.

 

[Mr Drag]

I don't know how the background of this went but my thoughts are webby talked to each of the players and asked about playing half. TMM probably in his relaxed manner would have said something like if that's where you want me, whatever's best for the team. LM would have gone on about yes, it's my dream, I want to be the best half in the comp etc etc. And AW would have eaten that up instead of what the great coaches like Bennett and Bellamy who would have picked the best players in the best position for them.

A bit of Ali's family and church first thing. Different players have different personalities and make up.

I don't think AW is either strong enough or has the foresight to pick the best team.

We will no doubt have some better performances and likely he will take that as signs we aren't far off. Man I hope I'm wrong but so far it's playing out predictably

Next game will tell us what we are all about! Will their be changes or will Webby dig in his heels!

 

[regenerated borg]

Can't see Webby changing the line up... maybe CNK depending on judicial...
Only 1 game in so far 23 to go ... no need to press the panic button..
Now that the special occasion game is gone, learn from it, no distractions now, focus on getting better and just get on with it ....

 

[Inruin]

Next game will tell us what we are all about! Will their be changes or will Webby dig in his heels!

What are you going with? A big patch of Go Media stadium's turf dug up by Webby's feet?

 

[Mr Drag]

What are you going with? A big patch of Go Media stadium dug up by Webby's feet?

You can tell in the press conference he looked like he dropped his Ice cream
TMM with Metcalf should be the halves

 

[tajhay]

You can tell in the press conference he looked like he dropped his Ice cream
TMM with Metcalf should be the halves

And if TMM goes invisible mode and Metcalf gets shellshocked again? Then we goto Boyd? And if that doesnt work out? Hanson? then Jett?

Its only round 1. Its as if some people are expecting that this is a top 8 squad and will be firing efficiently for what is essentially a new halves pairing altogether from the get go.

I expect very minimal changes. This team backline depth was already bare going into round 1. This team has to have players playing above their past form/abilities for us to make the top 8.

I sense pitch forks coming out every week.