Weeks after David Fusitu'a was snapped up on a long-term deal, Ken Maumalo has signed on to stay at Aotearoa Warriors until 2022. That's a four year deal for Maumalo and while it's cool to highlight that Maumalo, Fusitu'a and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are all signed until at least 2022, we can stretch that out further to celebrate the Warriors building a core group who will be at Mt Smart for the next few years.

The back three, perhaps the best back three in the NRL are joined by new recruit Leeson Ah Mau (who is doing a great job for the mediocre Dragons), Tevita Satae and Tohu Harris who are signed until 2021. Adam Blair, Gerard Beale, Blake Green, Peta Hiku, Hayze Perham, Leivaha Pulu, Sam Lisone and Nathaniel Roache are all signed until 2020; that's 13 players who are locked in for at least the next two seasons.

14 players means a footy team. Here's a team that I whipped up featuring those players:

Tuivasa-Sheck
Fusitu'a, Maumalo
Beale, Hiku
Perham, Green
Blair, Satae, Ah Mau, Roache
Harris, Pulu
(Lisone).

That team is nothing more than a fun exercise, it does offer a glimpse into how the Warriors are building a highly competitive roster to continue to level up on a strong season in 2018. Consider the players who are signed long-term and then also ponder the staff roster that the Warriors have assembled, all of whom will be with the Warriors for the same time period; Cameron George, Stephen Kearney, Alex Corvo, Brian Smith, Peter O'Sullivan, Todd Payten.

Overall, this only reinforces my belief that the Warriors are laying some hearty foundations from which they can build on top of. I don't just mean in terms of performances on the field either as if they can establish themselves as a consistent top-8 team, that breeds greater opportunities off the field and the Warriors have an experienced group of footy people to build the Warriors brand off the field.

As for Maumalo, well he is the undisputed most improved player of the 2018 season. Judging a player on their performances when they are coming off-contract can be dangerous, however Maumalo's improvements are easily sustainable and more a case of Maumalo tapping into his potential than anything else. Of course, I reckon the Warriors suggested to Maumalo that he needed to make major improvements if the Warriors were to invest in him and Maumalo is thoroughly deserving of this new contract.

Everyone has been talking about the size of Maumalo and how his work running the footy is like having another forward, which is true. Maumalo, Tuivasa-Sheck and Fusitu'a are not forwards though, they are more nimble and athletic than forwards which can be more dangerous as they step between defenders, or step back behind the ruck, thus winning quick play-the-balls.

Maumalo is all about his left foot step, just as Agnatius Paasi is all about his right foot step. We have to expect that Maumalo will add new dimensions to his running game throughout his career, but right now his size, speed and footwork combination is incredibly difficult to stop. Remember how Manu Vatuvei used to run it straight? Maumalo does that, but has late footwork at the line. 

Judging Maumalo and Tuivasa-Sheck on their metres is basic - you can tell a basic footy fan by their use of running metres when talking about a player. Nek level is average metres/run, or how efficient they are when they run the footy; no point running for 100m if you're taking 15 runs. Nek level is then the ability to win the ruck, get a quick play-the-ball and set up the next play for your team. 

Running at people can win quick play-the-balls, soon enough teams will load up defensively though and get numbers into the tackle to slow you down. Being able to use late footwork however, that is the best way to get you between defenders, thus landing on your front and playing the ball faster. Maumalo is rarely put on his back in a tackle, he rarely loses the tackle and this is as much because of his light feet, as it is his size.

The Warriors aren't exactly short of players with delightful footwork. Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Johnson are the most obvious examples, Paasi has his right-footer, Tohu Harris is up there with the best footwork for forwards in the NRL, while Peta Hiku, Gerard Beale and Solomone Kata are all hot-steppers. What makes Ah Mau so effective for the Dragons? His footwork and skill - see the trend here?

I went down that route because I don't want anyone reading this to believe that Maumalo is just a big body, he wouldn't have a new contract if that was the case. Maumalo is a dynamic ball-runner, who fits into the Warriors style of play and his security under the high-ball is also a massive improvement. Maumalo now guzzles most kicks and while it's nice to celebrate that running ability to the back three, you could argue that the ability to catch kicks is more important and once you catch a kick, then you've got the footy and can run.

Who do opposition teams kick to? Maumalo's solid under the high ball, all you need to know about Fusitu'a is that he used to play AFL and Tuivasa-Sheck is a wizard. 

The focus now turns to signed Jazz Tevaga and Issac Luke. Re-signing Luke feels like it should get done as Luke won't have an abundance of options available to him, considering he moved back to Aotearoa and to move to England seems counter-productive - most NRL clubs have hookers locked down as well. Luke's deserving of a new deal and both parties will hopefully agree to a deal that satisfies all involved.

There was a story recently about Tevaga having interest from a few NRL clubs. Don't be surprised as this is a classic case of a player/agent stating their popularity while working through a new deal, to create some urgency around their new deal. 

Tevaga has found a niche at the Warriors, under Kearney. I'm not convinced that such a niche and understanding between player and coach, is available to Tevaga at an Australian club. Tevaga is also an expendable player. Sure, I like his mobility, defensive efforts and skill, but the Warriors can absorb the loss of Tevaga by making tweaks to their playing style and/or simply welcoming Nathaniel Roache to take Tevaga's bench spot.

There's no need to break the bank for Tevaga and if it's a decision between Tevaga and Luke, roll with Luke. Should Tevaga understand his true value, there shouldn't be any dramas in re-signing Tevaga. If Tevaga thinks otherwise, all the best to him.

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Peace and love 27.