Diary Of An Aotearoa Warriors Fan: Transfer Shenanigan Update #3

Wonder where Jack will end up?

No one should care about the crappy piece of 'journalism' that came out a few days ago regarding Bodene Thompson. News that Thompson is leaving Mt Smart is reasonaly important though, especially when packaged alongside murmurings of Jacob Lillyman sealing a deal to join Newcastle Knights. 

Deals haven't been announced for either Thompson or Lillyman, however they were both on the Warriors departing players list at their end of season shin-dig. These two join Erin Clark (Raiders), Toafofoa Sipley (Sea Eagles), Kieran Foran (Bulldogs), Charlie Gubb (Raiders), Tuimoala Lolohea (Tigers), Ryan Hoffman (somewhere), Ben Matulino (Tigers), Manu Vatuvei (Salford), along with Matt Allwood and Ofahiki Ogden.

It's important to note that Thompson and Lillyman's confirmed departures conveniently came after news of Adam Blair's deal with the Warriors neared confirmation. As long as Blair's Broncos are still in the NRL Finals, I doubt we'll get the official announcement but many folk were reporting that the deal's done - Niche Cache yarns will come when it's official.

This is a super interesting time for the NRL and the Warriors as clubs are trying to offload players to re-adjust to the salary cap that many clubs fluffed. Players will become available over the next few months and the Warriors are nicely poised to do some business, not headline-making business but low key shrewd business moves that see them snap up cheaper players hunting for an opportunity. I get the same information as y'all and the rumour-mill isn't of great interest to me, so while I do expect the Warriors to make a few low key signings, there's every chance that the Warriors fill roster spots from within. 

I'm not saying that this is the best option, nor am I saying that the Warriors won't sign anyone else. This is merely the minimum, although when pondering this minimum, there's a fair chance that the Warriors will make improvements on this season, without making anymore signings.

Lillyman and Ben Matulino will effectively be replaced by Blair and James Gavet. Gavet was missing for much of the Warriors losing streak to finish the season and the Gavet/Blair combo can both play big minutes. Gavet played less than 40 minutes in just two of his 13 games this season and we can expect Gavet to improve from a rather impressive 2017. 

I'm far less depressed about the Warriors middle forwards than many other folk appear to be and view their 'go forward' issues as somewhat over-rated; Gavet only played 13 games and while the Warriors were 10th in run-metres (not all that bad) they were 10th because they had less runs to make those metres. The Warriors averaged 9.06m/carry this season, which when compared to the Broncos (9.32m/carry), Cowboys (9.03m/carry), Storm (9.04m/carry) and Roosters (9.18m/carry), isn't all that bad.

As for Thompson, well a direct replacement for Thompson could be Bunty Afoa. Last time I wrote about Thompson, I highlighted that it would be a lot better to have Tohu Harris on one edge and Thompson on the other but Afoa has been serving a decent apprenticeship and should be ready to consistently play 80 minutes on the right edge. 

Afoa is an example of why I maintain optimism about the Warriors as he's a young bloke who has been settling into the NRL. Afoa - like a few others - has his best years ahead of him and if Stephen Kearney wants Afoa on that right edge, a full pre-season with that focus, will be nothing but beneficial. It's rude to compare anything about the Warriors to Melbourne Storm at this stage (besides Kearney, oh and Blair, lol) but I can see Afoa following a similar path to Felise Kaufusi; Kaufusi settled on the right edge this season having demanded selection, after being used in the middle as he found his feet in the NRL.

Isaiah Papalii could also get a sniff on that right edge, although he's got another season or two as a middle forward coming off the bench. There's a chance that Papalii trains the house down this summer and gains the confidence of Kearney to demand selection. Afoa is ranked ahead of Papalii though and I'm actually intrigued by Papalii's future through the middle where his mobility is going to be useful, in conjunction with Leivaha Pulu and Sam Lisone's mobility/power/skill.

With their season in ruins, Gold Coast Titans had Pulu playing right centre for their last game and Pulu is another option. He's played on an edge previously with the Titans and is similar to Simon Mannering, Afoa and Papalii in that he can do both jobs if needed. I prefer Pulu through the middle, he could be someone that Kearney goes with though.

Assuming the Warriors sign Blair and don't sign anyone else, here's how their 2018 forward pack could look:

Middle: Blair, Luke, Gavet, Mannering.
Edges: Harris, Afoa.
Bench: Roache, Pulu, Lisone, Vete/Papalii/Satae. 

I maintain that this isn't a terrible option and the Warriors won't be able to splash the cash in signing a big name. If they are going to sign a forward, it's likely to either be an edge forward for that right edge or another forward to compete for a bench spot. To finish with, here's my top Warriors 17 for nek season, as of September, 2017.

Tuivasa-Sheck.
Fusitua, Ayshford, Hiku (assuming he signs), Beale.
Johnson, Hingano.
Blair, Luke, Gavet, Mannering.
Harris, Afoa.
Bench: Roache, Pulu, Lisone, Papalii.

Peace and love 27.

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