A tale of Shane Warne, two Montys and the Warriors
OPINION: It’s not often you offer Shane Warne up as the voice of reason.
But as you watch and listen to the Warriors, and read the analysis of their weekly losses, it’s the former Australia spin bowler whose words come to mind
Asked to comment on England spinner Monty Panesar, Warne once said: ‘‘Monty Panesar hasn’t played 33 tests, he’s played one test 33 times.’’
The Warriors seem permanently surprised by the performances of their opponents. Sunday was the latest example, as Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans kicked a golden-point field goal to beat them 22-21.
Cherry-Evans stayed composed and executed his skills under pressure. Unlike the Warriors, who had opportunities to win the match in normal time and golden point and were unable to take them.
Not for the first time, their reaction has gone along the lines of ‘oh, so that’s how you win a game’.
It’s as if, just like Panesar, they’re on debut every week and left to look on in wide-eyed wonderment as players such as Cherry-Evans unveil the secret of winning football matches. Lessons learned, they ‘‘vow’’ to put them into practice, only to go out and play like debutants again.
I used this example not long ago, but wing Manu Vatuvei was a first-grade player at the Warriors for 13 seasons and made the same mistakes at the end as he had at the start. He might have been shipped off to Salford, but the absence of football smarts remains. Stairway to heaven Stumped up some dough to fund Monty Betham’s Warriors ownership scheme yet?
Reading the former captain’s message to fans, it appears a slice of the club might gain you entry at the pearly gates as well.
‘‘Your love for this club makes me proud everyday so regardless of where this journey will end up I want to make you all a promise,’’ Betham wrote.
‘‘Warrior Nation - You have my word that my team, your team in this will do everything in our power to help make OUR dream happen.’’ Inspirational stuff. The smokey Let’s assume there’s five teams left that can win this year’s comp.
The Storm, Roosters, Broncos and Sharks are known quantities.
Melbourne are, by far, the best, most consistent side out there, but that’s no guarantee of success in knockout football. There’s more of a disparity between the Roosters, Sharks and Broncos’ best days and worst but, overall, rival coaches can predict what they’ll get from those teams.
And then there’s Parramatta. The fact they’re running fourth, with a round to go, is a surprise in itself.
The Eels have a fair roster, but not much better than that, and battling away in that bracket of seventh to 11th seemed a more likely outcome for them this season.
Logic suggests they’re not champions in waiting, but sometimes weird things like momentum and confidence overtake commonsense. They’re definitely a team to watch.