Gameday Warriors vs Dragons Gameday Chatter [Round 1, 2022]

[mt.wellington]

Warriors vs Dragons Gameday Chatter [Round 1, 2022]

​

 

[ramps]

The prince of Mt Smart returns tonight!!!! Lessgooo boys! can't wait

 

[Navigator]

About bloody time we played again seems like years ago.

 

[3rdstriker]

Looking forward to our beloved Warriors this year, as always let the rollercoaster begin.

 

[wizards rage]

It’s been too long… game day again!

Warriors by 10.

Our forwards to dominate and lay the platform. Shaun Johnson to set up 2 tries. Our centres to be rock solid in defence.

Even at half time but we will close out the stronger team

 

[Lance155]

The prince of Mt Smart returns tonight!!!! Lessgooo boys! can't wait

If Shaun Johnson sheds a tear I am pretty sure I will as well!

 

[Sol Man]

Slightly suspicious that Brownie has left Ash in the reserves.... Maybe one of our halves is carrying an injury or maybe he'll swap out Kodi at the last minute?

 

[ramps]

Slightly suspicious that Brownie has left Ash in the reserves.... Maybe one of our halves is carrying an injury or maybe he'll swap out Kodi at the last minute?

insurance bro, covid test pending.

 

[Miket12]

Favourite snacks…. Check.
Bubblewrap for the remote so it won’t damage the tv when thrown…. Check.
Activity planned for the Missus so can watch uninterrupted… Check.
One tissue for when SJ7 runs on to the field…. Check.
Drinking game organised for every time the commentators say “the big Warriors forwards are tiring”….. Check.

GAMEDAY!!!!!!

 

[Miket12]

Rugby league: What to expect from older, wiser Shaun Johnson on his Warriors NRL return​

When Shaun Johnson agreed to return to the Warriors last June, there were plenty involved with the club who wanted to temper expectations.

The prodigal son was back but he wasn't going to be the messiah, the man who would transform the Auckland team into consistent winners.

Johnson would bring experience, game management and a heap of playmaking nous, but there is a limit to what can be achieved by one individual.

Nine months on, the picture has changed, as the outside hype around Johnson has steadily built and he is being seen as a silver bullet heading into this campaign, which begins against the Dragons on Saturday.

That's unfair on Johnson but is something he is used to. He was the face of the club for almost a decade and few carried more blame for bad results that the Hibiscus Coast product.

It was probably only when he was gone that Johnson's unique skillset was truly appreciated, as the Warriors attack completely fell apart in 2019 and hasn't been the same since.

Johnson had his issues with consistency, but was hardly Robinson Crusoe on that across the team and was rarely behind a dominant forward pack.

Yet he still delivered remarkable numbers; 153 try assists, 63 tries and 88 line breaks across 162 matches and eight seasons. Even as his game changed he remained the fulcrum, averaging 21 try assists across his last three seasons in Auckland.

What can we expect from Johnson 2.0?

The 32-test Kiwi evolved his game management skills at Cronulla, enjoying the extra responsibility in an experienced Sharks outfit.

Johnson doesn't have the blinding acceleration and ability to dazzle defenders of his peak, though he is still elusive and dangerous inside the red zone.

But most importantly, the 31-year-old makes things happen, reads the game well and has an accurate and varied kicking game. He's the conductor the Warriors desperately need and one of the best playmakers this country has produced.

"Shaun will be a far more valuable player for the Warriors now because of what he can do for the people around him and what he can do for the football team," said Warriors coach Nathan Brown. "[Whereas] at times probably as a young kid, he had to rely on brilliance and it's hard to be brilliant all the time.

"That's very, very difficult but to play with control and kick the ball really well and help teammates look good - that's a part of his game that's very consistent."

Brown is aware of the expectations surrounding Johnson – on both sides of the Tasman – but isn't concerned about the load on his halfback's shoulders.

"[It] doesn't really matter what people expect or say about him," said Brown. "We can be pretty confident that most weeks he'll get that part of his game right because that's what he bases his game on now. His skillset now is so different to what it used to be. And those things hang up in big games and it'll hang up for us when we need it most."

But it won't be easy.

When he was last at the Warriors Johnson had Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at the back, the creativity and power of Peta Hiku and Solomone Kata in the centres and Blake Green as the ideal halves foil. Not to mention David Fusitua and Ken Maumalo, among the best wingers in the competition in 2018.

The current backline has potential but is green and will need to adjust quickly to the demands of the NRL.

Johnson won't convert the Warriors into instant contenders but he will make a considerable difference, especially in the tight contests against fellow middleweight teams.

Last year 13 Warriors matches were decided by margins of six points or fewer (they lost seven of those games) and there is hope Johnson can swing that pendulum.

"If we do have those close games, that's where Shaun comes in," said captain Addin Fonua-Blake. "He's a very experienced player, so it's going to work a lot in our favour. Having that cool head, he knows how to handle those high pressure moments in games."

What to expect from older, wiser Shaun Johnson on Warriors return

It was probably only when he was gone that Johnson's unique ability was truly appreciated.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Bushman]

This thread is back, how awesome, roko Berry with 2 trys

 

[PNG Kiwi]

My game day is quite ritualistic, have my Warriors top I wear, have my Warriors cup that I drink my morning coffee in read the forum.
When the game is on totally locked in, my language is questionable, I keep away from the remote as here in PNG just can't buy a replacement that easily.
The adrenaline rush when we score, and the frustration when one of the boys makes a mistake is chalk and cheese on the emotional scale.
If we win, feel pretty good about it, and when we lose I have learned to accept it as otherwise I am certain like most of us it would not be good for your mental health.
Today even though it is early in the season and we are missing players should give us an indication on how our season will play out.

 

[Canadian_WarriorFan]

Hoping to watch from Canada at 130 the morning but not super optimistic, let's go boys!

 

[Sledge]

welcome back lads, Warriors by 6, come on boys!!

 

[john nick]

Rugby league: What to expect from older, wiser Shaun Johnson on his Warriors NRL return​

When Shaun Johnson agreed to return to the Warriors last June, there were plenty involved with the club who wanted to temper expectations.

The prodigal son was back but he wasn't going to be the messiah, the man who would transform the Auckland team into consistent winners.

Johnson would bring experience, game management and a heap of playmaking nous, but there is a limit to what can be achieved by one individual.

Nine months on, the picture has changed, as the outside hype around Johnson has steadily built and he is being seen as a silver bullet heading into this campaign, which begins against the Dragons on Saturday.

That's unfair on Johnson but is something he is used to. He was the face of the club for almost a decade and few carried more blame for bad results that the Hibiscus Coast product.

It was probably only when he was gone that Johnson's unique skillset was truly appreciated, as the Warriors attack completely fell apart in 2019 and hasn't been the same since.

Johnson had his issues with consistency, but was hardly Robinson Crusoe on that across the team and was rarely behind a dominant forward pack.

Yet he still delivered remarkable numbers; 153 try assists, 63 tries and 88 line breaks across 162 matches and eight seasons. Even as his game changed he remained the fulcrum, averaging 21 try assists across his last three seasons in Auckland.

What can we expect from Johnson 2.0?

The 32-test Kiwi evolved his game management skills at Cronulla, enjoying the extra responsibility in an experienced Sharks outfit.

Johnson doesn't have the blinding acceleration and ability to dazzle defenders of his peak, though he is still elusive and dangerous inside the red zone.

But most importantly, the 31-year-old makes things happen, reads the game well and has an accurate and varied kicking game. He's the conductor the Warriors desperately need and one of the best playmakers this country has produced.

"Shaun will be a far more valuable player for the Warriors now because of what he can do for the people around him and what he can do for the football team," said Warriors coach Nathan Brown. "[Whereas] at times probably as a young kid, he had to rely on brilliance and it's hard to be brilliant all the time.

"That's very, very difficult but to play with control and kick the ball really well and help teammates look good - that's a part of his game that's very consistent."

Brown is aware of the expectations surrounding Johnson – on both sides of the Tasman – but isn't concerned about the load on his halfback's shoulders.

"[It] doesn't really matter what people expect or say about him," said Brown. "We can be pretty confident that most weeks he'll get that part of his game right because that's what he bases his game on now. His skillset now is so different to what it used to be. And those things hang up in big games and it'll hang up for us when we need it most."

But it won't be easy.

When he was last at the Warriors Johnson had Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at the back, the creativity and power of Peta Hiku and Solomone Kata in the centres and Blake Green as the ideal halves foil. Not to mention David Fusitua and Ken Maumalo, among the best wingers in the competition in 2018.

The current backline has potential but is green and will need to adjust quickly to the demands of the NRL.

Johnson won't convert the Warriors into instant contenders but he will make a considerable difference, especially in the tight contests against fellow middleweight teams.

Last year 13 Warriors matches were decided by margins of six points or fewer (they lost seven of those games) and there is hope Johnson can swing that pendulum.

"If we do have those close games, that's where Shaun comes in," said captain Addin Fonua-Blake. "He's a very experienced player, so it's going to work a lot in our favour. Having that cool head, he knows how to handle those high pressure moments in games."

What to expect from older, wiser Shaun Johnson on Warriors return

It was probably only when he was gone that Johnson's unique ability was truly appreciated.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Would really love to see Shaun Johnson have a great come back return but have a niggling question in my mind about how previous injuries may have slowed him down.
Hopefully I am wrong.
Great to see the return of footy. Been a long off season

 

[Beastmode]

I am going to dissect this game into a million pieces!

Can’t wait!!!!

Let’s go Warriors!!!!!

 

[Kestrel84]

Win or lose, I sense a lot of C-bombs will be dropped today.

 

[jsmooove]

looking forward to the post game thread reactions of " this is our year the warriors are going to win the grand final" or " this team sucks and wooden spoon bound"

on a serious note i probably havent been as emotionally invested in the warriors over the last few years. I still watch every week and follow what's happening. Shaun Johnson was my fav player and i feel a little emotional him being back,

warriors by 14

 

[Wigan Warrior]

Hoping to get up early for the game. Another season of hopes and let downs awaits

 

[Sup42]

Tough game today.A scalp worth the taking.Gonna be real strange seeing Kodi and Shaun together without black jumpers.

Whomever is SJs partner this year better be more than a shovel the fifth onto Johnson.

Kodi gets his audition here, Taylor's waiting for a shot.

I am expecting today's pairing to need two games to get bedded in....so I'm not gonna sack Kodi if he and Johnson don't set the world on fire.

Both great attacking players with space, as always it's all on the forwards.

Would love to see Montoya get the ball a lot, I think he is one under utilized weapon, and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak....same deal....get those two on the overlap and watch them use that gas we have missed for years.

Dunno if our centers can ball play....Berry looks promising on the draw and pass....but that's in comparison with what? Our centers have sucked for decades.

Anyway, not expecting too much today, just want to see us with completions right up there and forcing some repeat sets....but most of all, making tackles on our Wing three quarters....the edges are the key....