2017 NRL Preview of the Warriors
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Looking at the "Ka Kite Ano" list, we didn't lose much over the off-season. Leuleuai has been surprisingly good the last couple, but is definitely in the twilight of his career. Jonathon Wright was probably our worst signing since Tony Martin back in the early 2000s, I'm legitimately surprised he managed to find another NRL club. Robson never really offered a lot either.
I'm cautiously hopeful for this year. I don't overly rate Kearney as a coach, but feel that with the roster he has he should be able to at least get them to the playoffs. Our back line when healthy is gonna be good, and there are a bunch of hard working but not flashy forwards up front.
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Nice work Sneak.
That's a pretty shitty Kia ora list though, it's a pity we didn't get the blockbusting loosie you mentioned that Kearney likes - what's JT up to next year? Surely we have some space in the cap ... hee hee.
So, just so I understand this correctly. We swapped RFM for Shaun Lane who we promptly sold off to Manly. Nice work guys.
Pack has got a bit of the softs about it ... although if Matulino goes beast mode it might all be good with Foran telling everyone where to run and the princess in 7 can do the stuff she''s good at.
Oh well, readying myself for a year of disappointment.
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Well, that's the highlight of my league season done and dusted @Sneakdefreak
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@Sneakdefreak said in 2017 NRL Preview of the Warriors:
Sneakdefreak’s best 17:
Mannering 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Bodene Thompson
Excellent back row, but they're all a bit 'same same' though! They really do lack an offensive weapon in their back row.
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@Gunner agreed. Not sure you can play both Hoffman and Mannering, as they do the exact same thing.
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While I agree with the sentiment, I'm happy with those players. Always put in an honest effort, will tackle themselves to a standstill and aren't prone to brain explosions. Thompson scored a few tries last season and always seems to run good lines. He's not gonna set the world on fire like Ali Lauititi might have in his prime, but also unlikely to do something stupid to cost them a game. The same goes for Mannering and Hoffman. They're reliable and hardworking.
Too often in the past the Warriors have relied on those X-factor players, who can do as much harm as they can good, which kills them at crucial moments.
If Matulino can get back to his best, I feel like he may end up the attacking weapon of the forward pack. With that spine we've got, I don't necessarily think it's a deal breaker to not have a weapon in the back row.
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@mariner4life said in 2017 NRL Preview of the Warriors:
@Gunner agreed. Not sure you can play both Hoffman and Mannering, as they do the exact same thing.
They make a perfect secondrow imo - reliable tacklers on opposite edges who can run a straight line with the ball (no stopping or moving sideways).
It's the rest of the forward pack I'm more concerned about. That, and we have a "meh" bench compared to other teams. -
@Sneakdefreak said in 2017 NRL Preview of the Warriors:
@mariner4life said in 2017 NRL Preview of the Warriors:
@Gunner agreed. Not sure you can play both Hoffman and Mannering, as they do the exact same thing.
They make a perfect secondrow imo - reliable tacklers on opposite edges who can run a straight line with the ball (no stopping or moving sideways).
It's the rest of the forward pack I'm more concerned about. That, and we have a "meh" bench compared to other teams.Yeah I think our props are a concern as well. Lilyman is good and reliable, same category as Mannering, but Matulino has been a disappointment in the last two seasons, given how much he promised. I like Charlie Gubb and really admire his enthusiasm on the field, but agree with your assessment that he probably lacks the talent to be a long term prospect. He reminds me a bit of Mark Tookey from the 90's. A big heart and a bit of a cult figure, but will unlikely ever be one of the true greats
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First squad named and they name everyone:
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)
2 TUIMOALA LOLOHEA
3 DAVID FUSITU’A
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 KEN MAUMALO
6 MAFOA’AEATA HINGANO
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 ALBERT VETE
9 ISSAC LUKE
10 CHARLIE GUBB
11 BUNTY AFOA
12 RYAN HOFFMAN
13 SIMON MANNERING
Interchange:
14 ERIN CLARK
15 JACOB LILLYMAN
16 SAM LISONE
17 ISAIAH PAPALI’I
18 BODENE THOMPSON
20 MASON LINO
21 JAMES GAVET
22 BLAKE AYSHFORD
