The good, the bad and other Warriors awards
There is more footy to go and though the Warriors’ awards night is not until Sunday, Stuff league reporters David Long and Jackson Thomas couldn’t wait. They have picked out their winners as well as their best and worst moments of the season.
JACKSON THOMAS
MVP: Roger Tuivasa-sheck
He might yet take out the Dally M Medal, but there is certainly no denying Captain Roger has been the Warriors’ best this season. A constant threat with ball in hand, he chews up metres for fun – 348 his best effort this year, against the Knights.
Most improved: Ken Maumalo
Big Ken has not only eliminated issues with his hands which plagued him early in his career, but he has become one of the most physically dominant players in the game, averaging over 150 metres a match this season.
Buy/recruit of the year: Tohu Harris
Flip a coin between Harris and Blake Green and I won’t argue, but for me the big fella just sticks his nose in front. Harris has solidified the Warriors’ right edge defensively while also igniting its attack – just ask David Fusitu’a.
Best moment: Mannering’s 300th
A little early with this one, but Simon Mannering running on to Mt Smart tomorrow for NRL game number 300 in his final season as a Warrior will be quite a sight. The match has already sold out.
Worst moment: Anzac Day letdown
What a sinking feeling! Historically, the Warriors have performed well against competition heavyweights Melbourne, but week eight this year was not one of them. The Storm put them to the sword with an embarrassing 50-10 thumping in the annual Anzac Day fixture.
Best game: Round 7, Warriors 20 Dragons 12
The Dragons were undefeated and looked like world-beaters until they ran out onto Mt Smart. in week seven. A clinical Warriors’ performance saw the home side put the competition on notice.
Worst game: Titans towelling
With the chance to reach the NRL’S top four, the round 20 thumping, 36-12, at the hands of the lowly placed Gold Coast Titans was a hard watch.
How far will the Warriors go?
They might win one, heck maybe two, but the Warriors are not the 2018 NRL premiers. Typically when it comes to the Warriors I’m the optimistic one. But I can’t see them making too big of a splash in this year’s playoffs. Nevertheless, one win in September at least will be worthy of a pass mark.
DAVID LONG
MVP: Roger Tuivasa-sheck
It has taken a while for him to get to the form level he showed at the Roosters earlier, as well as handle the responsibility of captaining the Warriors. However, he’s there now and it’s no wonder he’s the favourite to win the Dally M medal this year. He is racking up huge metres every week and rarely puts a foot wrong on defence.
Most improved: Mason Lino
Up until this season Lino had never played in a winning Warriors side, although to be fair he’d played in some pretty bad teams.
He had never seemed more than being a steady player before, but this year he has shown there’s more to his game, he has a bit of X-factor about him and can readily fill in for Shaun Johnson or Blake Green.
Buy/recruit of the year: Adam Blair
It’s not just that Blair has brought a steely edge and given the attack some extra bite, but he’s also brought with him from the Broncos his great communication skills and leadership qualities. They paid a lot for him, but he’s been worth every cent.
Best moment: Johnson field goals against the Raiders
Back in round three the Warriors showed what sort of ticker they had when Shaun Johnson nailed a field goal in the 78th minute to level the game against the Raiders at 19-19, then a minute later did it again for a dramatic win.
Worst moment: Simon Mannering announcing his retirement
The guy has been through so much at the Warriors over his 299 games for the club and it will be a shame for everyone involved that he won’t be there from next year. He spent months deliberating over his decision and credit to the Warriors that they gave him all the time he wanted.
Best game: Round 21, Warriors 18 Dragons 12
This won’t go down as a game where there were a number of thrilling tries or highlight reel moments, but it was the one where they showed they have some backbone.
They got all 18 of their points in the first half and when they conceded two tries early in the second and it looked inevitable they’d get rolled. But the goal-line defence stood up again and again to all but confirm their top eight status. Worst game: Round 8, Storm 50 Warriors 10
This was abysmal. They were taken apart in Melbourne, conceding six tries in the first half hour. Stephen Kearney said afterwards it wasn’t up to the standards they’ve set and he was dead right.
That blowout may still come back to haunt the Warriors as it ruined their points differential.
How far will the Warriors go?
Grand final.
However, they probably first have to avoid finishing the regular season in eighth place on the ladder – that way they avoid being on the Storm’s half of the playoff draw. No one other than the Storm is showing great form and they might be the only team that can stop the Warriors.