Diary Of A Warriors Fan - Alright, Alright, Alriiight
After two games this season, both away from home, the Warriors are 1-1. Which isn't reason to get the confetti out, but it's a pretty solid start to the season and the way the lads went about their business against the Canberra Raiders was nice.
First of all, some perspective. The Raiders won't finish in the top 8, but they aren't as bad as people thought they would be. Who knows, they might pick up the wooden spoon still but that won't be because they suck, it's just that the NRL is pretty stacked.
So while the Warriors put up a solid defensive effort, executed plenty of plays perfectly and generally caused mayhem through the middle and out wide, it's merely a starting point.
It's a starting point that we desperately needed after a sloppy effort against the Knights and the general effort from the team was admirable. We need to severely ease up on our expectations on Shaun Johnson because against the Raiders we saw that when the Warriors have all their pieces in place, Johnson doesn't need to be the main man. There's enough weapons around him to to make his role a simply one, but when these pieces aren't there thanks to injury or when inconsistency strikes, that's when Johnson has to step up.
We're already seeing the impact that Albert Vete and Sam Lisone are having, not only in terms of their aggression, footwork and general ruckus they cause but raising the level of competition. Right now, it's hard to see Suaia Matagi and/or Sam Rapira getting a look in and if Ben Matulino doesn't quite raise his own level, he could slide.
But Matulino did the opposite against the Raiders, stepping up to play like the Matulino that we all know and love ... because we've seen it before. But we've also seen him come and go a wee bit so the key is putting back to back performances like this on the board.
The club desperately needed forwards like Lisone and Vete to step up, not only because they are the type of forward that suit the current NRL style, but they've got the spark that shakes things up. They genuinely look like they absolutely love hitting it up, long may it continue.
When you have Matulino, Lisone, Vete, Simon Mannering and Ryan Hoffman all playing near their best, the Warriors go forward. When the Warriors go forward, they can use the likes of Sam Tomkins and Solomone Kata much more effectively.
That set after they scored their second try, you had a set of six that took the Warriors from their own try line down Canberra's end to score a try. It went Matulino, Lisone, Mannering, Hoffman, Lisone and a Townsend kick for Hoffman to score. They went straight up the guts, poking their nose through the line and earning quick play the balls. That's what this Warriors side can do, but there'll be many forward packs who are better than Canberra's.
Tomkins adds so much to the Warriors. He's a slippery bugger and also has great hands which is crucial on the edges where he picks the ball up from one of the halves. Tomkins, if he doesn't run the ball, generally picks the right option and delivers the pass perfectly, which is all you can ask from a fullback.
When the team puts that sort of effort on attack and defence, the less you hear the commentator mention Johnson and Chad Townsend's name, the better. They just need to kick, pass and run the show which they did.
Overall, it's a win. It's a win when we needed a win but it also showed that when the Warriors get a few things right, they can be very dangerous while also able to serve up plenty of effort on defence. There's still a bunch of players to return and a bunch of players who aren't quite at their best so it's all good baby baby.
This sets up a very interesting game against the Parramatta Eels at home next week. Sure, the Eels look like they won't have Chris Sandow or Semi Radradra and possibly Tepai Moeroa but with or without these guys the Eels are a step up from the Raiders. The battle through the middle will be huge, with the Eels forwards offering power, size and some skill.
Can we be as dominant against the Eels? Can we deal with their attack?
Luckily, it looks like Mannering will be given the season in the middle. We've already seen the benefits of this, he tightens everything up and if you don't think he's got much impact with the ball in hand, you're a dummy. 50+ tackles, a couple of off loads and a tackle bust, c'mon.
Mannering is our Richie McCaw, long may he continue to prove that fact.
When Konrad Hurrell is back, he'll be on one side with Kata on the other. Imagine that?
Whether that pushes Tui Lolohea to wing or not, I don't mind. Jono Wright is a handy buy because he'll offer decent NRL outside back cover, depth hasn't always been a luxury that the Warriors have enjoyed.
We knew Kata was a beast, so play nicely while the NRL catches up.
We knew that Ryan Hoffman could be the buy of the season and so far after two games, he's showing why.
Fuck the council, Mt Smart is our home.