Diary Of A Warriors Fan
"We pretty much won that on defence" Andrew McFadden
Coach, I've watched many top sports teams and I've been filled with envy, jealousy and all the stink feelings that come with seeing other teams do what you want your team to do.
At the very least, I've spent much of my life wishing I would hear a similar bunch of words come out of the Warriors' coach mouth just once maybe twice. I am not alone, there's a whole bunch of Warriors fans who must be in the same boat ... this combines two of the great things from Saturday night's win over the Broncos - another tough win and the fans, the week to week fans who are awesome.
It's always been a fine line of getting the lads to the tough sort of footy needed to go good in the NRL on a week to week basis and getting them to have some fun. You can't count your chickens before they eggs hatch, but I'm enjoying this group and what Coachy coach is doing.
The Warriors were pretty mediocre against the Broncos, but they won ... as they have done a few times recently. While Shaun Johnson wasn't setting the world a blaze with his kicking game, while there were mistakes and unfortunate penalties as well as a Sam Thaiday with a chip on his shoulder, the Warriors kept at it.
The Warriors don't have the biggest pack in the world, but the intent of the likes of Sam Rapira, Jacob Lillyman and Suaia Matagi is brutal and as Charlie Gubb came off the bench you could see that this is a sneakily dangerous group of forwards.
A sneakily dangerous group of forwards because there is also a certain Feleti Mateo who has been slowly building towards some decent footy. He set up Ben Henry's try thanks to some smooth foot work and a short ball while offering that through the entire game as well. In the past I don't think the Warriors have had the muscle or more importantly the attitude that they have now which means Mateo doesn't have to be relied on to do a bunch of grunt work. He will do, it's part of job but he also has an important creative role.
It's interesting because we're seeing a team of guys who don't rely on anyone in particular. The weapons or tools in the tool belt are plentiful - we saw Mateo's impact while all it takes is getting Koni early ball on the right and he's dangerous. You need options, you need unpredictability and you need to offer a range of skills ... this Warriors is building an identity.
It all happened on a cold Auckland night, at the same time as the All Blacks and while they weren't near their best. As long as two points are being saved for a rainy day each week, there's no need to play at your best right now ... just keep stacking the points and building towards when it matters.
Just on the All Blacks thing ... for me it was an awesome decision. It wasn't a huge crowd at Mt Smart, but it was a crowd of the hearty. And the hearty, true blue #WarriorsForever, Lion Red guzzling whanau were rewarded with a hearty performance from their lads.