Time running out for Warriors
AT THIS point in the NRL season it’s all about momentum – and the Warriors will desperately need to regain some of that in today’s clash with the Penrith Panthers.
A win in Penrith could provide the spark the Warriors need for a big end-of-season push. Considering the Panthers haven’t won in their past five games, they’re the perfect opposition for Andrew McFadden’s stuttering side to go up against. Mind you, the Warriors aren’t much better with just one win in their past five matches.
The Warriors are positioned on 22 points with Manly – two shy of the top eight – but the teams are seen in different lights at this stage of the season. While all and sundry are writing off the Warriors’ season, the Sea Eagles are being talked about as a team that could even win the Premiership.
The Sea Eagles have won four of their past five games, while the Warriors are on a four-game losing streak.
The Warriors are without Shaun Johnson, Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, Thomas Leuluai and Bodene Thompson, but the Panthers are missing Jamal Idris, Matt Moylan, Dallin WateneZelezniak, Peter Wallace, Dean Whare, Nigel Plum and Brent Kite.
A key factor for the Warriors is the return of Ryan Hoffman, the 31-year-old second rower, who has missed the past five games because of a calf injury picked up playing State of Origin.
Hoffman’s influence at the Warriors can’t be overstated. Not only is he still one of the best second rowers in the NRL, he’s also a great leader in a team of young faces.
With Hoffman on the field, there should be a change of attitude. The players should be switched on defensively and, unlike in the 36-0 thrashing by the Dragons last week, look like they want to be out there on the field.
‘‘We’ve been good in patches, but when you’re playing in the NRL you can’t be good in patches, you’ve got to be good for the whole 80 minutes,’’ Hoffman said.
‘‘It comes down to the start, and I didn’t think at the weekend we started well against St George, and they got the ascendancy.
‘‘It’s going to be no different playing Penrith in Penrith. They’re a tough team there and we need to make sure we start well and don’t just play well in patches every now and then.’’
Hoffman said he didn’t want Warriors players going into the game thinking about making the top eight, or what it would mean if they lost this game.
‘‘We’re not going in there thinking about the eight because that might have been the issue over the past couple of weeks,’’ he said.
‘‘We might have been thinking about the opportunities there and tensed up a bit and froze in the way we played.
‘‘It’s all about individuals focusing on their performance.’’