NRL 2017
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It may come as a surprise to some, but the Warriors look a better team when they aren't trying to offload at every second tackle, which in turn leads to fewer errors.
They weren't perfect today by any means - there were a lot of last passes that went astray, but they stuck to their guns and got the job done against a team that 100% must be put away if they have any notion of being in the 8.
Foran just has to be made an offer which he cannot refuse. Let the guy stay on in Sydney with his kids for a few days whenever they play over there, he'll miss a few trainings but who cares. He's that important!
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A solid win against Parramatta - first time in a long time the Warriors have done that.
Some thoughts:
- The defensive line held up better today. Still errors but much better than previous games this season.
- Simon Mannering was a beast in this game. 183 running metres, 48 tackles. Mannering was in on every play.
- All the Warriors outside backs had over 100 metres running and just three missed tackles combined.
- Liked Ayshford's game today, getting involved a lot in the attack and stopping some big Parramatta forwards when on defence - taking into account his salary cap hit (which is small) he's the type of player you want to have on your playing roster.
- Maumalo scored a try but lacks that quick speed burst you need from a wing. He just lumbers for the first 5 metres.
- James Gavet was awesome in this game again. Really provided aggression and smarts despite only playing 35 minutes (he still made 107 metres/21 tackles).
- Gubb was terrible in his first stint. Errors, missed tackles (one which led to a Parramata try), not to mention some dirty plays. I get people love his effort but they cloud out the fact he is useless.
- Kieran Foran seems to be that so-called "missing piece" for the club. However I feel the Bulldogs will sign him for 2018 onwards.....
- ....but the Warriors do have a shot, because the NRL will probably need to sign off on where Foran goes due to his past.
- Looking at the large pool of free agents for 2018, there is going to be some major roster overhauls across the NRL - including Warriors, St George, Parramatta, Brisbane.
- Warriors' signing focus will be Johnson/Foran for whatever they want, and then build the roster around them. That may mean saying goodbye to players like Lillyman, Matulino, Vatuvei etc.
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Team to face the big Raiders in Canberra.
VODAFONE WARRIORS
1 ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK (c)
2 BLAKE AYSHFORD
3 DAVID FUSITU’A
4 SOLOMONE KATA
5 KEN MAUMALO
6 KIERAN FORAN
7 SHAUN JOHNSON
8 JAMES GAVET
9 ISSAC LUKE
10 JACOB LILLYMAN
11 BODENE THOMPSON
12 RYAN HOFFMAN
13 SIMON MANNERING
Interchange:
14 NATHANIEL ROACHE
15 CHARLIE GUBB
16 LIGI SAO
17 SAM LISONE
18 ALBERT VETE
20 BUNTY AFOA
21 MAFOA’AEATA HINGANO
22 MASON LINO
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@Sneakdefreak I don't remember us doing well in Canberra historically
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@Sneakdefreak heard Cleary is into Matulino to replace Woods ,
Alot of talk about Cronk to the Dogs as well,
Also talk about Storm talking to Foran
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yea I've heard about Storm are keen on Foran. They've got heaps of cap space (insert dodgy books joke here), and he would suit their game beautifully.
At least if Foran and Matulino go next year, we are spared the preseason expectation phase.
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I am quietly hoping if Foran goes Johnson follows him. From a Kiwi perspective it would be great to see those two build a decent combination.
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@Crazy-Horse said in NRL 2017:
I am quietly hoping if Foran goes Johnson follows him. From a Kiwi perspective it would be great to see those two build a decent combination.
I cant see too many clubs able to fit both in their cap in one hit
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@mariner4life said in NRL 2017:
yea I've heard about Storm are keen on Foran. They've got heaps of cap space (insert dodgy books joke here), and he would suit their game beautifully.
At least if Foran and Matulino go next year, we are spared the preseason expectation phase.
Storm have got a young halfback called Brodie Croft with big wraps, who has been described as a Cronk Clone ,
Queenslander , 19 years old, they have been grooming him as Cronks replacement , but Cronk leaving earlier than they would have liked , has left them in a hole ,
Ive heard they are offering Foran big bucks on a short deal , its a lot easier to get to Sydney from melbourne than Auckland
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Bulldogs, Warriors, Storm. Those are the three legit options for Foran. In that order.
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@Sneakdefreak I would agree. The Hasler connection at the Dogs is huge.
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Broncos sign Jack Bird to a 3 year deal with a 4th year option, most likely will play standoff.
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Warriors up 8-6 at HT
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@taniwharugby Bah, I'm recording this to watch afterwards and then this post popped up in the unread list. I guess I'm going to have to avoid the unread list until after the match.
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Warriors 8, Canberra 20. One too many errors in the second half - can't do that against one of the title favourites.
Some thoughts:
- Good first half followed by stink second half. Warriors spine caused issues for Canberra's giant forwards but...
- For some reason Kearney brought Luke off the field in the second half and the battle around the ruck area was lost.
- But that Warriors spine is becoming more powerful with every game. Get the right combinations around it and they'll be fine.
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was awesome tonight but so was the desperate Canberra defence.
- Have no idea when Croker became a good defender because I still remember him get bowled around by Hurrell.
- James Gavet is playing great but Warriors need Matulino healthy and in the rotation to improve their forward pack.
- Also add Bunty Afoa (secondrow) and Jazz Tevaga (hooker/secondrow) and you'll have a forward pack that compliments Luke, Johnson, Foran and RTS with high intensity.
- Blake Austin should be in the running for the NSW number 6 jersey just for his boot.
- Some 50/50 calls went Canberra's way but that's what homefield advantage is all about.
- Steriod scandal in Canberra in the next three years. Lock it in.
