Post Match Warriors v Roosters - [Round 3, 2025]

[roguei]

Learning in first grade based on potential. Have we seen this before and how did it turn out?

Not bagging the Metcalf experiment as we’re committed to him now, but isn’t it better to have someone earn there way up gaining experience in reserves in such a key position rather than someone changing positions and trying to make it fit?

Off of the top of my head.

Thurston played 5/8 for the bulldogs before going into half for the cowboys. No NSW training there.

Maloney played 5/8 before switching to the halves in 2014 for the sharks.

Hughes where he played fullback till about 2018 where they then gave him the 7.

I'd make the opposite argument. What great halve has been dropped to NSW grade to learn if they started in another position?

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

For mine thats why i thought it was strange the club went this route when u already had someone in TMM who was already much further progressed on that journey

Metcalf was also going to take over from Johnson, sadly his injuries killed a lot of the time he would have had learning from him.

Why? I would speculate that it because the club was aiming for as close of a replacement to Johnson as possible;

A ball running organizer.

The game can be taught, raw speed cannot.

I love TMM, but I think he's an insurance policy at this point, ensuring we aren't totally screwed if anything happens to LM.

 

[Hardyman's Yugo]

What a turnaround after the Las Vegas debacle. A couple of away wins needed to show we are good for the eight this season but a massive improvement so far

 

[Wahs_Ultras]

Well thats what the coaching staff had to weigh up i suppose.

For mine thats why i thought it was strange the club went this route when u already had someone in TMM who was already much further progressed on that journey, had already put the yards in and had the runs on the board so to speak.....especially after his performances of last season, and is coming into the prime age for halves in fully understanding their game.

Luke is at the start of that......im not doubting he can get there but its going to take time

And its not like we're the only club in this position, Jahrome Luai, Matt Burton to an extent, Dylan Brown when he goes to the Knights.....all players who have or will have to learn the nuances of running a team from just the run first instinct theyve normally played with.

Took Sam Walker a couple of seasons to get going as well, although he showed flashes of his potential along the way. Got dropped a few times, got beaten up a lot. It’s just all part of the journey

 

[Wellington Taniwha]

Metcalf was also going to take over from Johnson, sadly his injuries killed a lot of the time he would have had learning from him.

Why? I would speculate that it because the club was aiming for as close of a replacement to Johnson as possible;

A ball running organizer.

The game can be taught, raw speed cannot.

I love TMM, but I think he's an insurance policy at this point, ensuring we aren't totally screwed if anything happens to LM.

LM wasn’t taking it to the line as much last night and dropping the ball off early, but he’s good at linking w outsides and that Ali try came from that and getting charnze on the outside….small steps and I think he’ll be good on Aussie pitches.

Great to have TB and TMM carving it up in reggies

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

LM wasn’t taking it to the line as much last night and dropping the ball off early, but he’s good at linking w outsides and that Ali try came from that and getting charnze on the outside….small steps and I think he’ll be good on Aussie pitches.

Oh for sure.

I could pick apart LMs game last night, quite easily. There was a goal and a few attacking plays that were left wanting.

But that stuff will come with more time in the role and more time with the players around him.

TMM still has no where near the ceiling that Metcalf has, imo.

Maybe that's where I'm a little more forgiving with our attacking structures. We took a massive hit in experience when Johnson retired.

This is why defense is key to our success early in the year.

 

[Tookey 2.0]

Surprised the Roosters didn't try to test out Tauapiki with any high balls. Up against those tall wingers, pretty mad they didn't put any bombs up.

 

[Naynay]

2 out of 3 ain't bad
So pleased to get the win last night. I felt that being able to win a tight one without all of our players being comfortable in their roles was a good sign of things to come. Our pack is formidable and our defence from the backs was on point. The right edge looks so much more capable defending without DWZ in the line. My biggest worry is the halves and the lack of creativity but as has been said give them time.

We were fortunate last night that their centres struggled to get good ball to the wings. They were facing some stiff defence but there were at least half a dozen knock ons or bad passes that would have put their wingers away if they'd stuck. And that would have changed the game.

One thing that bugged me last night ( and all last season) was kicking to wingers on the 5th tackle. Why do we do it so much? Why kick an easily catchable ball to 18 foot tall specialist wingers that practice catching every day?
I get that it's a territory thing and strategy and we can't score off every set but it's like we rumble it up for 5 tackles and then give the ball back for the opposition to try to do better. No 40/20 attempts. No grubbers to make them pick up a rolling ball. No set 5th tackle plays. We don't even try to drag a winger into a 5th tackle then kick to his wing. Just a straight forward kick to a set winger. Anyone got some sound theory around why we do it?

But well pleased with the win. And pleased I bit the bullet and resigned with Sky Sport after last weeks performance. I'm confident we can do the Tigers next week and if we can 2 points from that game and 2 from the bye and we're well set up before the season really starts.

I think thats been our game plan since 2023, it makes sense in the middle range sets and even close against the rooster with two big wingers. Rts and Taine aren’t very tall so might be a game plan to have the make the tackle on a vulnerable winger and setting the line instead of contesting and having a broken line of they catch and make a run.

 

[roguei]

Surprised the Roosters didn't try to test out Tauapiki with any high balls. Up against those tall wingers, pretty mad they didn't put any bombs up.

Although I feel like they did once or twice. I think our field position was always so good that it was hard to not just kick for field position. Where if they bombed and it failed, we'd start a set on the half way line. Setting us up finally for a good attacking set instead of keeping the wrestle going.
But fuck our defense was just so good that game. Jamming seems to be getting better and better.

 

[kos]

And if you look at the ladder, some 6s & 7s are performing worse.

Our boys are learning on the job and actually giving it a fair whack. We really need a consistent half pairing to be a prem threat. CHT and Metcalf *might* be it.

Yep
While we keep winning CHT /LM pick themselves.
Sustained losing occurs.
We then have a TMM-TB option.

 

[John Nick]

Yep
While we keep winning CHT /LM pick themselves.
Sustained losing occurs.
We then have a TMM-TB option.

TMM-TB looked great in Cup yesterday but as you know Kos theres a world of difference between Cup & FG.
Add to that the opposition Defence was non existant

 

[kos]

TMM-TB looked great in Cup yesterday but as you know Kos theres a world of difference between Cup & FG.
Add to that the opposition Defence was non existant

Dont tell me too much.
I have not watched the cup game yet as it wasnt on fox and I ll catch it on pay up bar tv later this weekend.

 

[defensivebomb]

That was a high-intensity game. Very finals-like

Glad we set the scene for a tough game, and came out on top. Hopefully the boys keep their foot on the gas for the tigers game

 

[BangBro's (still banging)]

Just saw some highlights, the celebration from Ali Leiataua when he smashed Sandon Smith, was that the Waka Oar?

Fucken Mt Smart mana is back baby!!!

It screamed culture to me! This is our house! This is where the Waka is going, get out of my way!

 

[Boats n Hoes]

Although I feel like they did once or twice. I think our field position was always so good that it was hard to not just kick for field position. Where if they bombed and it failed, we'd start a set on the half way line. Setting us up finally for a good attacking set instead of keeping the wrestle going.
But fuck our defense was just so good that game. Jamming seems to be getting better and better.

Jamming in....when it comes off it looks spectacular.....when it doesn't it looks equally spectacular

Seemed we were getting the balance better last night, recognizing when to jam and when to slide out. Couple of real nice holds from Roger allowing his insides to recover rather than automatically trying to shut early opening up an opportunity that was never there.

Taine got caught out a couple of times from long range, but what was more worrying was the lack of urgency he showed trying to get himself back into the picture on the chase. Will need to work on that.

 

[PhilsySH35]

Hands up who was confident of the win 8 points up ten minutes left to play?
Any other warriors season you don't let yourself relax until ten seconds left.
The reason I was confident was I looked on the field and saw Fish standing there. And thought this is on ice. Fish completely shuts down the ruck area and 1 out runners with 20 minutes to play with an iron fist. As I posted last week his best in the NRL middle third defence is a better fit for the warriors than AFBs best in the NRL PCMS.

agree, thought fish and barney wouldn't let us drop the ball on this game, I was so confident cos of the steely resolve which is now deep in the players bones, in their dna, daddy and mummy are now home - no worries!

 

[PhilsySH35]

Jamming in....when it comes off it looks spectacular.....when it doesn't it looks equally spectacular

Seemed we were getting the balance better last night, recognizing when to jam and when to slide out. Couple of real nice holds from Roger allowing his insides to recover rather than automatically trying to shut early opening up an opportunity that was never there.

Taine got caught out a couple of times from long range, but what was more worrying was the lack of urgency he showed trying to get himself back into the picture on the chase. Will need to work on that.

think he got a knock first minutes of the game, thought he was gonna come off for hia.

 

[The Undertaker]

I was thinking exactly the same - AFB is a deadset star, but such a prima donna and doesn't gel with his team mates. Now we have a unit.
80mins, in the grind, and finish the last 20 far stronger. Can't remember a more satisfying win.

I thought the game would have quietened Marata's critics, I thought he was immense last night, good work rate and damaging. And Leka coming on late to skittle some Sydney Cocks was prime viewing! Created the broken field for TT to have a scuttle which in turn set up for the last try.

Ali vs Nawaqanitawase was just great sport, 2 real talents playing hard and in good spirit. Thoroughly enjoyed their duel.

THIS
Great points. I refer to Ivan Clearys comments about our 2024 season - something along the lines of there is something wrong in the group - but he also said he’d be surprised if we didn’t have a good year in 2025 (from memory)

That problem was AFB. You are 100% right - star player but a negative personality who can easily poison a dressing room with his prima Donna stuff. I’ll be watching him at the Sharks with interest as I think it may blow up there mid season…

You are right - we look like a unit working for and with each other. That gives me so much satisfaction. The last two results were Team wins - not individual ones. Lots to like.

As for Ali v Mark N - what a superb battle. Ali wins on points in a close fight!

 

[MrFrankWhite]

Learning in first grade based on potential. Have we seen this before and how did it turn out?

Not bagging the Metcalf experiment as we’re committed to him now, but isn’t it better to have someone earn there way up gaining experience in reserves in such a key position rather than someone changing positions and trying to make it fit?

You are right, we had that in SJ. We dont have that luxury now. IMHO Webby is trying to build a Cleary/Luai out of Metcalf/CHT. I back that plan, because we dont have any other options for long term stability...

 

[The Undertaker]

2 out of 3 ain't bad
So pleased to get the win last night. I felt that being able to win a tight one without all of our players being comfortable in their roles was a good sign of things to come. Our pack is formidable and our defence from the backs was on point. The right edge looks so much more capable defending without DWZ in the line. My biggest worry is the halves and the lack of creativity but as has been said give them time.

We were fortunate last night that their centres struggled to get good ball to the wings. They were facing some stiff defence but there were at least half a dozen knock ons or bad passes that would have put their wingers away if they'd stuck. And that would have changed the game.

One thing that bugged me last night ( and all last season) was kicking to wingers on the 5th tackle. Why do we do it so much? Why kick an easily catchable ball to 18 foot tall specialist wingers that practice catching every day?
I get that it's a territory thing and strategy and we can't score off every set but it's like we rumble it up for 5 tackles and then give the ball back for the opposition to try to do better. No 40/20 attempts. No grubbers to make them pick up a rolling ball. No set 5th tackle plays. We don't even try to drag a winger into a 5th tackle then kick to his wing. Just a straight forward kick to a set winger. Anyone got some sound theory around why we do it?

But well pleased with the win. And pleased I bit the bullet and resigned with Sky Sport after last weeks performance. I'm confident we can do the Tigers next week and if we can 2 points from that game and 2 from the bye and we're well set up before the season really starts.

Had to be a game plan to pin their wingers in corners and make them work the ball out to grind them down. No in goal grubbers to prevent them doing shirt drop outs which their wingers could get up for… in the end it set up the result