The winners and mainly losers

With yet another disappointing Warriors campaign drawing to a close, Chris Rattue hands out some alternative end-of-season awards.

I hold Melbourne very, very dear to my heart.” — Departing Aussie Ryan Hoffman, as the Warriors hurtled towards a record losing streak.

Most Ungrateful

Kieran Foran used the club to get his life back in order, then scarpered for the Bulldogs. Thanks awfully, Kieran.

Monopoly Award (for best roll-thedice board game)

Owner Eric Watson became the chairman early last year, and quit the job this year. Huh?

Most Promising

No award this year. There wasn’t anything promising about the Warriors in 2017.

Best Try

Outgoing CEO and incoming chairman Jim Doyle found hope during the current eight-game losing streak: “There are different levels of disappointment — our biggest loss this year is by 16 points. In the past, we’ve lost by 40.”

Player of the Year

Shaun Johnson gets the nod — that’s how bad things have got. Erratic? Yes. Central to the problems? Possibly. But at least he can make boringball mildly interesting to watch.

Top Stats

These may not be the numbers which count most, but Johnson is near the top of the NRL try assist ladder, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck likewise in all run metres, and Mannering will finish the season as the second top tackler in the NRL. Mind you, Mannering is wearing himself out trying to cover all the cracks.

Best Bro-mance

Johnson and Foran couldn’t speak highly enough of each other. No other NRL pairing came close — a rare victory for the club.

Best Win

Against Parramatta, in April, with Foran — in just his second game — getting virtually all the credit. “Suddenly the Warriors are a far different proposition,” one writer enthused. Parramatta turned out to be a pretty good side. Most of the Warriors’ other scant wins were against duds.

The Simon Mannering Award for Endless Quality Service Simon Mannering (he now gets to keep the trophy).