Starting the year with an NRL Nines final appearance shouldn't have left me with a stink taste, yet it did as the Warriors simply got put in the shade in front of their own fans by Parrmatta. The overall Nines effort from the Warriors didn't offer much difference to how things have gone in recent years with Shaun Johnson carrying the team for much of the tournament, in conjunction with Tuimoala Lolohea who was also impressive and they simply failed on the biggest Nines stage.

Of course, the Nines doesn't really offer a great insight into how the NRL season might play out. Only a fool would jump to NRL conclusions based on the Nines, there is however room for observations, so here's some observations from the Nines...

Koni!

Konrad Hurrell grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons once again with his raised knee again doing damage, this time to Manly's Jake Trbojevic. Look past the headlines and you would have seen a lean Hurrell who looks incredibly ready to rip into the 2016 NRL season, something I requested of Hurrell in my letter to him last year.

His physical appearance and disgust with himself after that incident with Trbojevic offered great signs for Hurrell. There were errors sure, I am excited about seeing Hurrell given a simple job to do, most likely as a centre where he can finally find a home in the NRL.

Depth, Nothing More

Daryl Halligan labelled Blake Ayshford as a game-breaker for the Warriors during the Nines, which is obviously insane. This plus the angst that came across me as I pondered how the Eels would love to see Semi Radradra/Bevan French line up against Jonno Wright before the final made me remember why the signing of Ayshford and Wright (a year or so ago) were great signings.

These two shouldn't be part of the Warriors' best 17, no way Jose. If the Warriors are relying on Wright and Ayshford to start more than seven games this season then there's a major problem (most likely with Hurrell) as Wright and Ayshford are depth signings. During the Nines they showed that they can certainly do a job for the Warriors and they also showed that they are both limited in what they can do, their greatest asset is their experience and solid playing style. This is suited to covering injuries and suspension, which in the past would usually see young players be thrown into the deep end, like last season.

The less we see of Wright and Ayshford, the better. They are both important squad men though.

Laurie Daley To Help Cappy

Intriguing is the best word to describe news that Laurie Daley could/will help coach Andrew McFadden, offering his thoughts and support to the young coach. I mean, having Laurie Daley helping out can't be a bad thing, especially not with Daley and McFadden apparently being homies.

I honestly can't think of any negatives and see Daley's involvement consisting of him staying in Sydney, sending McFadden emails/calls about tactics and what not. Can't go wrong.

This follows the trend of whispers and rumours around the Warriors regarding help for McFadden as the Warriors have apparently (depending on who you ask) sought assistance from a variety of top-dawg coaches from rugby and rugby league. Some would view this as a sign that all is not well with McFadden, I prefer to believe that the club genuinely wants to offer McFadden the best resources to help his development as a NRL coach.

Lacklustre Forwards

There was an awkwardness in the way guys like Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman went about this NRL Nines thing, while Sam Lisone, Albert Vete and Charlie Gubb looked like natural mongrels who were there to take over the Nines. This should be a note for next year's tournament as there's no real need to play the older forwards, especially when they don't suit the game.

Watching Lisone especially, but also Vete and Gubb rip in consistently was very exciting and I'm looking forward to seeing these three come off the bench consistently. This will piss me off immensely, if Lisone, Vete and Gubb aren't given a hit-man sort of impact role each week and I'd go as far as saying that not many other NRL clubs boast a young trio of props like the Warriors.

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Did Anyone See Roger Tuivasa-Sheck?

Big expectations surrounding Roger Tuivasa-Sheck largely fizzled to nothing and news of Tuivasa-Sheck pulling out of the All Stars should lend some clarity to this situation as he's apparently got a calf strain. The only thing is that there's lots of guys pulling out of the All Stars game and it's near impossible to comprehend the extent of injuries like Tuivasa-Sheck's calf strain and any other injury leading to a player pulling out of the All Stars.

Tuivasa-Sheck could have a full-on calf strain, he could just be a bit tired, we'll never know. I know that Tuivasa-Sheck didn't show up to the party though, not how we thought he might any way.

Confusing Tui

Filling Tuivasa-Sheck's void was Tuimoala Lolohea who reminded us all what a freak of a footy player he is. Lolohea is officially my second favourie Warrior, behind Manu Vatuvei (The Great, who just had another baby girl, shout out to you Manu) but where Lolohea fits in is confusing me.

I'll explore some Warriors combinations later this week and try suss this out, either way Lolohea has to be in the Warriors best 17. He's that good.

Youngin'

Nathaniel Roache was a late call up to the Nines squad after David Fusitua pulled out and Roache enjoyed plenty of game time at dummy half. Roache is behind Issac Luke and Thomas Leuluai in the dummy half ranks, he's a youngster to keep an eye on though as he showed off a crisp distribution game and a threat as a ball-runner.

Honourable mention to Ata Hingano who showed glimpses of what he can offer on the left-edge.

SJ7

Shaun Johnson is all good people. The Nines did show however that the Warriors won't win anything if it's all on SJ7, which is why the prospect of Luke and Tuivasa-Sheck working in conjunction with Johnson is so exciting. Nines is an illusion though, with Johnson and Jeff Robson not required to display their pinpoint kicking games and decision making under pressure.

While it was reassuring to see that Johnson hasn't lost too much after that injury, the Warriors' hopes for 2016 don't rest on Johnson's ability to run the footy; there's lots of gun ball-runners in the Warriors backline. How Johnson and Robson control games and steer the Warriors around the park, getting the right blokes the ball at the right time, is what will put the Warriors in the best position this season.