If all the stars align they can sneak in

Looks like I drew the short straw, huh? Given the car crash that was the end of last season, and with the NRL looking the strongest it has been in years, those tipping the Warriors to finish in the top eight have practically become an endangered species.

The club made some good moves over the off-season. The likes of Adam Blair, Tohu Harris and Blake Green have given them a more resilient feel and there is greater depth in most positions.

There should be improvement across the board although, to be completely honest, a place in the finals may be a step too far. But if they are to defy logic and break their playoff drought, it all starts in the middle.

A lack of go-forward was one of their biggest shortcomings in 2017. And following the departure of Ben Matulino and Jacob Lillyman, and Blair the only middle forward of note coming in the opposite direction, the club is really relying on players within the squad to step up.

That is not out of the question. In such a physically demanding position, props can take time to mature. At 28, James Gavet is coming off his best season in the NRL and, in Sam Lisone and Albert Vete, the Warriors have two players who can make a similar leap.

Consistency rather than talent has been the main issue holding them back. But now entering their fourth season in first grade, Lisone and Vete should be more than ready to step up.

Others have also put their hands up over pre-season. Ligi Sao was arguably the standout forward across the two trials and his ball-playing ability gives him a point of difference.

And while new signing Leivaha Pulu predominantly played in the back-row at the Titans, he has the size and power to get the Warriors going forward.

If the pack can do that consistently it will go some way to solving their issues in attack, but that also comes down to their mindset.

It feels like the Warriors have been on an neverending journey to find the right balance with the ball.

Last year they were far too conservative and predictable. High completion rates are not enough when defences know what’s coming.

Talk from the players is that they have been encouraged to use the ball more but they need to find a way of mixing in the old ‘Warriors style’ without the errors piling up.

There were encouraging signs in the trials. Blake Green combined well with Shaun Johnson, freeing the star halfback up to play what was in front of him.

Issac Luke showed glimpses of spark around the ruck and the right edge combination between centre Peta Hiku and wing David Fusitu’a looked dangerous at times.

The sample size is small and it remains to be seen how they plan to bring Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on to the ball more, rather than simply use him as a metre-eater at the back.

But there is certainly something to build on and with a bit of luck on the injury front, the combinations will only get better.

The final ingredient is proving they can hold their nerve in the tense moments.

With the experience they have added and the players that already occupy key positions, there is no excuse not to make a jump in that area.

Do that and they will give themselves every chance of sneaking into the top eight.

‘‘There is certainly something to build on and with a bit of luck on the injury front, the combinations will only get better.’’

Marvin France

‘‘Overall, though, you look at this year’s Warriors team and think nearly, but not quite.’’

Hamish Bidwell