Winston Churchill once said: “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
If I’m being honest, I didn’t know he was a Warriors fan. If he was, then I’m not surprised he enjoyed a drink.
Each NRL season, Warriors fans hold their collective breath; dreaming of finals glory while mentally preparing themselves for inevitable disappointment.
It’s as tragic as it is galvanising. No one quite understands the pain of being a Warriors fan like another Warriors fan: that slight hesitation when making match predictions, or the wry smile when someone inevitably says ‘this year will be our year’.
Or even worse, ‘next year will be our year’.
We suck it up; smile and find a quiet spot to binge eat through the tears while listening to the love songs of Michael Bolton.
Ok, maybe that’s just me, but listening to How am I supposed to live without you was far less painful than watching the Bulldogs game.
2017 Warriors’ predictions have ranged from being Premiers to contenders for the wooden spoon. Three games into the season and things feel depressingly familiar.
Despite significant changes at the club, there appears to have been no significant change in performance. It feels like spending a fortune on car repairs only to discover it’s got the same old problems.
And no one likes to admit they bought a lemon.
So after hours of careful analysis, and only a few large drinks in small glasses, I have some thoughts for the Warriors faithful.
It might not inspire confidence, but should at least provide some comfort you are not alone.
Reason for hope? Donald Trump is the President of the United States.
If a bright orange reality star with hair like ginger candyfloss blowing in the wind can become the most powerful man in America, then the Warriors can bloody well win the NRL…
…And Australia could win the next Rugby World Cup… Eddie Jones will be magnanimous in victory… And the Indian cricket fraternity will acknowledge their averages are inflated by playing so many matches at home.
There are a lot of good things happening at the club, and the development of some of the emerging talent is encouraging.
But there are two critical acquisitions that could define or derail the Warriors’ season: Stephen Kearney and Kieran Foran.
Foran represents much of what many feel the Warriors have been missing: Steel, direction, desire, and leadership. If he is at his best, then the Warriors could do anything.
His direction and organisation will provide opportunity for Shaun ‘Fred Astaire’ Johnson to pick his moments and play what he sees without the pressure of having to pick every moment.
Stephen Kearney is the most successful Kiwi coach in history and will be reuniting with the Kiwis spine at the Warriors.
He has been able to extract the best out of them in the black jersey, why not for the Warriors?
The Warriors have some of the most passionate fans in sport. But it could be time to review our approach, as far as inspiring battle cries go, ‘Keep the faith’ is an embarrassment.
I can only assume ‘we’ll be competitive until Origin finishes’ or ‘maybe next time’ were already taken. Even ‘let’s gone Warriors’ is preferable.
To those who insist on carrying signs to matches or using ‘Keep the faith’ as some sort of defence for poor performance – just don’t. There’s no need.
Even the most fanatical zealot couldn’t question the faith of anyone still attending a match (let alone buying supporter’s gear) after 22 years without a title and seven without even playing finals football.
Your presence alone is testament to your commitment.
So what could go wrong? Everything. Or nothing. And we still don’t make the finals. Bloody hell, what an awful thought.
As much as Foran and Kearney inspire hope, it is fair to say each has challenges to work through.
Despite Foran’s undoubted ability and leadership qualities, he appears a man with more weight on his troublesome shoulders than Atlas. Add significant expectation and a painfully public private life, and something might just give.
While many of the players have worked with Kearney in the Kiwis environment, how will he adapt to the pressure of generating weekly results for New Zealand’s only NRL franchise?
That pressure will only increase if it takes time to entrench his philosophies and systems.
This year the Warriors have a favourable draw with five of their first six matches at home. Three matches in and already Kearney has added words like ‘disappointing’, ‘confusing’ and ‘inexcusable’ to his post match comments.
Over the last few seasons the club has invested considerable resource reviewing and improving support structures, resulting in changes to personnel at all levels.
But the only thing that really matters is results.
Those changes won’t mean anything if the Warriors continue to drop balls, miss tackles, give away penalties late in the tackle count and go missing post-Origin when the games matter most.
Anything less than finals football this year will see the club fairly and squarely back at square one.
So will this year really be the Warriors’ year?
Probably not.
But despite all the signs to the contrary, it still really feels like it could be.
I know. I know. I have problems.
We have the greatest Kiwis coach ever, quality players in key positions and some maturing talent coming through. There are plenty of reasons to be chipper. Or at least slightly less manic-depressive.
On paper we have a very strong side. But everyone knows matches aren’t played on paper. And if they were, we’d probably fold late in the season.
I have made a habit of creating some emotional insurance by picking whoever is playing against the Warriors in my work tipping competition; a silver lining in defeat.
The logic has actually backfired as I’m doing much better in the competition and now have statistical evidence that my team have been poor for quite some time.
If I sound conflicted, it’s because I am. Every year despite mountains of evidence to the contrary, I still believe.
And there lies the frustration of being a Warriors fan; they do just enough to instil hope, but not confidence.
Gordon B
Guest
An excellent read. Witty yet quite poignant. More from Jeremy Brown please!!
WideBayMike
Guest
I said the Warriors need more players who have come through the junior system in Australia because the junior system in Australia makes players mentally tougher and that doesn't happen in NZ. Example: Prior to the Bronco's starting the Brisbane competition comprised of 8 semi professional teams. Seven of them district teams plus Brothers who are similar to Marist in Auckland. The competition ran for 21 rounds meaning each team played each other 3 times plus the finals. This had the best players playing against each other on a regular basis and that filtered down through the grades to kids in their early teens playing to a high standard week in week out and that toughened them mentally. Compare that to Auckland prior to the Warriors. I think there were 33 clubs. I know there were 3 divisions and I also know the best players weren't playing against each other regularly. Almost all of the Warriors who come through the local system have physical prowess but that on its own isn't going to have them competing week in week out with the 15 Australian clubs. Yes Australian clubs do have scouts in NZ and are signing up promising youngsters like the guy yesterday who lives in Taranaki but they get them out of NZ and into their system as quick as they can to expose them to a high standard of football.
Far2quik
Guest
Just a short reply to the person who wrote about our juniors needing to be in the Australian junior system. There is a good junior system in NZ as the Holden Cup where our Junior Warriors have won this multiple times. And the other comment/Question to same person is: Why have so many clubs, come searching for these talented youngsters to bolster there playing group. Just a heads up
Cedric
Guest
yep Mannering and Matalino in the middle is what the defence is missing; both those guys don't need a mate to help them out. Bring on Foran and RTS plus a fit Manu is a worry for any opposition! I do agree about Toovey, remember when the Warriors had a straight talking Daniel Anderson, they went to the finals straight away and a GF, if I recall correctly!
Sylvester
Guest
I had my doubts about Kearney when they hired him, but I'm willing to cut them a bit more slack. A Warriors team with Foran, RTS and Matulino should in theory be much better.
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
Great article . I giggled all the way . I love the Warriors even though they disappoint almost as a default . A couple of points . I agree with Jeremy .The few shots I've seen of Foran on the sidelines doesn't look like a guy ready to play . Even if he does play it will be after a year off , in a new team and with injury . It would be foolish to think everything will turn around if and when he plays . Harris is a good signing . Mannering has earned the right to play in the back row as long as he likes and does a great job of leading . Hoffman and Thompson are just duplicates of him and offer no point of difference in their pack . Matulino will make a difference when he is back . Luke plays off the back off penetration by the forwards so maybe a couple of young fearless ball runners should get a bit more game time . I was pleased and thought they looked much better when Bunty started . Vete is going well but not enough of them bend the line .
Jeremy Brown
Roar Pro
I agree with pretty much all of that - I haven't given up so much and am preparing myself for the worst... just in case. The line speed looks to be improving and if they can get the defence sorted - which has been a problem for years - then the rest may follow. Luke has been disappointing since joining the club, a shadow of the player he was at the Bunnies. A shame as I am from Taranaki and really wanted him to go well. It's unfair to expect Foran to solve everything, but he should bring improved organisation, option taking and will lead the defensive attitude. I remain hopeful, but not yet confident.
Up the Wahs
Roar Guru
As a fellow Warriors supporter I feel your pain yet I will never give up on this team. What I've noticed this year is that while goal line defence is slightly better (not that much better), the forward pack appear to have had any creativity coached out of them. What's happened to our offloading game, forwards like Lisone and Vete taking on the line for a short pass. All the players seem to be standing around in attack as if waiting for their turn rather than following the play and looking for opportunities. Luke needs to improve, Hingano is not first grade standard (yet) and Lolohea looks like he's lost all his confidence. Our attack against the Dogs on Friday was predictable, slow and easy to defend (although the Canterbury defended well). I do have faith that this will change when Sheck and Foran are in but I won't hold my breath.
WideBayMike
Guest
The Warriors need more players who have come through the junior system in Australia and emerge as players who are ready for NRL football and know what is required to make it as a professional rugby league player and less players who have come through the unprofessional junior Auckland/New Zealand system that does not teach them anything about mental toughness.
Realist1975
Guest
22 years - is that all. Try supporting Cronulla until the end of last year. I had to wait 30 years myself and was so glad I remained loyal. Warriors have lost 2 from 3 which really means nothing as premierships aren't won at the beginning of the season. All they really have to do is win half their games and have some momentum heading into the finals. Foran will be a good buy but even he will take time to get use to their way of play. Just like the Tigers they need to learn to fight to win. Once again a major incorrect call (try allowed as opposed to a penalty etc) went against them and they bucked under the task. Honestly they get so many bad calls each year you think there is a conspiracy to make sure they don't win the comp. remove some of those farcical calls they make the finals for a few of those years they missed out. Nevertheless constant media talk about how disappointing they are will not do anything for them. Instead of playing the 'nice'coach they should have appointed a fighter like Geoff Toovey as their coach. But no they go and get a good past player with a failed NRL coaching record. Kearney being good for the kiwis doesn't equal Kearney being good for the Warriors. They also stuffed up by getting Issac Luke. Luke may win you some games but in my opinion his absence in the GF was one reason Souths won it a couple of years back. I see that they are now after Taumalolo. Geez he wouldn't play like he does for the cowboys if he ever decided to play for the Warriors. It would all become to comfortable for them. They need to be challenged but they also need a leader. Toovey would have been great for them as he would bring a no holds barred approach and every player would remember how he use to put his small body on the line every time he entered the field.
GD66
Guest
I don't know what the application or fitness levels might be there but on the rare occasion I have watched them in action over a number of years it appears the Warriors very seldom play to their potential for the entirety of a match, and are also very poor at coming from behind to chase down a win.
Glenn
Guest
Warriors, when on and playing beautiful ad lib football, are everybody's second favourite team. However todays version is not that, nearly all the players have gone backwards. Even Johnson, former golden boots winner, has gone from a very good player to a mediocre one. The only consistency in the team is their inconsistency.
bronwyn perry
Guest
leav the warriors alone they have lot's of games to come back and I think manu should retie bease he go off he always getting hurt
Aem
Guest
The Kiwis have a world class prop rotation and a full set of outside backs that can do the basics of their positions. The Warriors do not. Kearney is trying to play a game that his squad isn't suited to - not that it's a squad with the right balance of quality players in the right positions anyway. And Issac Luke can/should go to the reserves until he starts putting in. There are some mitigating circumstances though - Matulino, Tuivasa-Sheck, Foran, Roache and Vatuvei (all genuine first XVII guys, most of them stars) have managed about 160 minutes between them so far this year. No team is going to succeed with that sort of injury toll. The only genuine first grade winger at the club, the alternate hooker, two star members of the spine and the best middle forward at the club.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Get rid of all the bludgers out of the Warriors and then they might have a chance. I think that most of the boys that went back home from Australia to play for the Warriors think that they are on a 'Bludge Fest' and with their lack luster attitude and performance(s) they really look like it.
KenW
Guest
I can feel the pain (not really hidden) just behind those words but I still have to tell you I giggled throughout. I have a vague feeling that 'Let's gone Warriors' has been done before but it still cracked me up.