Before we say kia ora to our Warriors again this weekend, I thought it would be a good opportunity to take stock on all things Warriors. There is a lot going on at Mt Smart and it's not limited to the almost-exciting stuff that's happening on the turf; after nine rounds we are really starting to see coach Stephen Kearney start to build the team and club he wants.

I'd suggest that Kearney's Warriors is the most important theme to take from this - so important it doesn't need it's own little title. The first few rounds of the season saw Kearney stick largely with the group of incumbents, then he flipped the script and brought it players who were with the Warriors this whole time but didn't get much of an opportunity. Not only did we see a few players rubbed from the top 17 after three rounds, we also saw a brewing attack deliver sporadically and a gritty defence eventually deliver consistently.

Personnel, attacking structures and Kearney's defensive nous combine to form the narrative of the opening stanza and contribute to this idea that it's a bloody long season. The Warriors are not a top eight team right now and that's all good because we have seen with our own eyes, improvements in nine rounds of footy. Kearney has established his way at Mt Smart, culminating in a decent defensive effort over in Melbourne and then a better defensive effort in the win against the Roosters. That's the foundation and the very fact that our Warriors have some level of defensive expertise is rather groovey.

Every week I reflect on the previous game and preview the upcoming game, meaning that the likes of Shaun Johnson, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Simon Mannering and the rise of James Gavet and Jacob Lillyman get plenty of air time. So to touch base, I won't repeat everything I say consistently - how good is Simon Mannering!? - and instead, I'll focus on three players who need to be discussed...

Tuimoala Lolohea

Coach Kearney obviously doesn't view Lolohea as fitting into a top 17, let alone a wider squad. There's no space for Lolohea on the wing with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Manu Vatuvei keeping Ken Maumalo and David Fusitua under pressure, then there's no room in the halves as Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran are covered by Ata Hingano. Through his actions with Lolohea, Kearney has made it clear that he's got Hingano as the long-term partner for Johnson, not Lolohea.

Regardless of how you feel, or what words the mainstream media use to describe Lolohea, right now he is a reserve grader. That's just the facts and he isn't good enough at the many positions he's fairly good at, to demand selection over the blokes in the NRL team. That's why I've found the hype around Lolohea's possible exit as very weird because right now, the Warriors lose nothing; Lolohea isn't a starter, nor is he 'next in line' for fullback, wing or in the halves.

Lolohea has shown super bright spots in his short career, not enough to grab a consistent NRL gig though. The only bloke who can prove that he deserves to be in the NRL, is Lolohea himself and he will get that opportunity at another club. The Warriors can then move on without Lolohea and not feel too many repercussions.

Albert Vete

In a similar situation to Lolohea is Vete and it only seems like yesterday when we were being told how Vete is a future leader of the club. Remember John Palavi? The Warriors and mainstream media loved Palavi because he was studying to be a doctor while on the fringe of the NRL and the media love a good ol' kinda racist/inspiring yarn don't they? Well for whatever reason, Palavi couldn't crack the NRL consistently and that I'm reminded of him when I ponder Vete's fall from grace.

Good vibes only really matter if you're viewed as good enough to consistently play NRL footy. Kearney had Vete in the team for those opening weeks, but soon gave him the cut and to be honest; the Warriors are going fine without Vete.

James Gavet has stepped up to fill that void and is simply better than Vete, Jacob Lillyman is playing at an Origin-level and that Vete has fallen behind Charlie Gubb, Ligi Sao and Sam Lisone is the clearest evidence of him not being in favour with Kearney.

Let's not forget that Ben Matulino is back, meaning Vete is now ranked 7th in middle forwards.
Crucial to all of this is how well the Warriors have been playing - not perfect but overall, pretty good. Vete just doesn't fit at the moment and although opportunities will come as injury/suspension hits throughout the season, it's difficult to see Vete staying at Mt Smart.

Not only has Vete fallen down to 7th, he's also feeling pressure from up and comers. Toafofoa Sipley, Patrick Sipley, Chris Satae and Daniel Palavi are all doing a nice job alongside Vete in reserve grade and if there are six guys ranked above Vete and four (cheaper) guys offering depth, there is little value in keeping Vete. Matulino is moving on to Wests Tigers next season, which could provide an opportunity for Vete but I suspect other clubs will come sniffing.

Manu Vatuvei

When Vatuvei is healthy, he'll most likely be playing in the NRL. Simple. Coach Kearney has known Vatuvei a long time, knows he can get the best out of him and I can't argue with that as I quite like having Vatuvei there myself. That's made easier by the fact that Ken Maumalo is a clone of Vatuvei, so Kearney can bring Vatuvei as a like-for-like replacement for Maumalo with the low key beast David Fusitua on the other flank.

Maumalo has chewed through metres and done a solid job in an extended opportunity. He hasn't done enough to demand selection over Vatuvei though and as these two have similar styles, I'm happy to go with the veteran who has a point to prove. That situation will bring out the best in Vatuvei because he knows that he's got to maintain a high level to keep Maumalo (and Nicoll-Klokstad) out, plus we need to keep it real; Vatuvei is injury prone at the mo.

Given Vatuvei's injuries, Maumalo will get his opportunities.

Kieran Foran

We officially have one season with Kieran Foran as a Warrior. Cool, that Premiership window is slightly open and let's just enjoy having Fozza around.

Depth Check

Fullback

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tuimoala Lolohea.

Wing

David Fusitua, Manu Vatuvei, Ken Maumalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tuimoala Lolohea, Junior Pauga.

Centre

Blake Ayshford, Solomone Kata, David Fusitua, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Mathew Allwood, Semisi Fotu.

Halves

Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran, Ata Hingano, Mason Lino, Tuimoala Lolohea, Sam Cook.

Middle Forwards

Tier One: Simon Mannering, Jacob Lillyman, James Gavet, Sam Lisone, Ben Matulino, Charlie Gubb, Ligi Sao.

Tier Two: Albert Vete, Jazz Tevaga, James Bell Toafofoa Sipley, Patrick Sipley, Chris Satae, Daniel Palavi.

Edge Forwards

Bodene Thompson, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering, Bunty Afoa, Isaiah Papalii, Ofahiki Ogden.

Hooker

Issac Luke, Nathaniel Roache, Jazz Tevaga, Sam Cook, Mason Lino, Erin Clark

Statty Stats

Most Metres

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - 1,481m.

Most Metres per Carry (over 1,000m)

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - 9.87m/c.

Most Offloads

Bodene Thompson, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering - 6.

(Bodene Thompson's played the least amount of minutes, so he takes the offloading cake)

Most Tackle Busts

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - 41.

Fewest Missed Tackles (over 200 tackles)

Simon Mannering - 14.

Most Tackles

Simon Mannering - 376.

Most Try Assists

Shaun Johnson - 6.

Most Runs

Ken Maumalo, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - 150.

(Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has played fewer minutes)

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