They couldn’t deliver on their potential in 2021, but the Warriors are shaping a roster that could well contend for a maiden premiership in the next few seasons.
The signing of Eels back-rower Marata Niukore on a four-year deal starting in 2023, announced by the club on Thursday, is the latest addition to what is becoming an elite squad.
And while the New Zealand team have made the finals just once in the past 10 years, finishing no higher than eighth, there were signs of a resurgence under coach Nathan Brown.
On raw ability, and certainly size and power, the Warriors already boast one of the competition’s best forward packs featuring Addin Fonua-Blake, Tohu Harris, Matt Lodge, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Bunty Afoa and Josh Curran.
What they’ve lacked, however, is consistent game management. That was glaringly obvious this year as they lost nine matches by eight points or fewer – including three by a solitary field goal.
But with a matured Shaun Johnson returning to the club, having been there when they reached the 2011 grand final, expect the Warriors to close out a lot more tight contests.
Injuries restricted Johnson to only 10 matches in his farewell campaign for Cronulla, but he arguably enjoyed his best NRL season in 2020, leading the league for try assists (23 in 16 games according to NRL Stats).
If not for an Achilles injury, Johnson was in the type of form that could have propelled the Sharks deep into the playoffs that year. Without him, they exited in the first week to Canberra.
It was Johnson’s improved composure and playmaking direction that convinced the Warriors to sign the 31-year-old after they initially showed little interest in a reunion.
During a couple of media conferences, coach Brown marvelled at how Johnson kicked the Warriors to death in Cronulla’s 20-12 win in round 17 this year with the halfback forcing five drop-outs.
After a year away from the coaching set-up, the great Stacey Jones will replace Craig Hodges – who is now the general manager of football – as an assistant to Brown. The outstanding former halfback will no doubt work closely with Johnson and the other halves.
The prospect of Johnson combining with teenage fullback Reece Walsh is exceptionally exciting. In just 16 NRL games, Walsh has already become a household name in the league world.
The 18-year-old was on track to make his Queensland Origin debut after only seven top-grade appearances before a hamstring injury cruelled his dream.
Sure, there is still plenty for Walsh to improve – and Brown was always mindful of tempering expectations for the young gun after his mid-year switch from the Broncos – but imagine what he can do with a full pre-season as a Warrior.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
There’s no shortage of other talent in their ranks. Euan Aitken was once on the verge of NSW Origin selection at centre, but the former Dragon looked even more dangerous when shifted to the second row late in the season.
Meanwhile, ex-Kiwis captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak found his feet after moving from the Bulldogs and the winger, like Walsh, will benefit tremendously from slogging it out with the team in the summer months.
Youngsters such as Edward Kosi, Tom Ale and Rocco Berry, the son of former All Black Marty, are highly rated and will grow from being thrown in the deep end.
Prop Aaron Pene, who has joined from the Storm, will be determined to secure a regular first-grade berth and may well prove an astute pick-up.
Although the Warriors were undoubtedly their own worst enemy in 2021, they also battled a steep injury toll. It got to the point that rival teams were offering loan players near the end of the season, but Brown wanted his youth to learn on the run.
Forward leaders Fonua-Blake and Harris, emerging playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita and hooker Wayde Egan were among those to miss several weeks.
It’s only fair to cut the Warriors slack given that for two years they’ve essentially been living out of suitcases in Australia to keep the game going.
They’ll be based in Redcliffe for much of 2022, but five home matches at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland are scheduled for the back-end of the season.
There’s no telling how big a boost it will be to have home support and the stability of consistently training and playing on home soil.
Of course, a number of questions still need answering. Key men like Egan, Harris-Tavita and Kodi Nikorima are off-contract while Johnson’s halves partner isn’t clear-cut.
If the Warriors opt against re-signing any of the trio, it could free up funds to have a crack at luring one more big-name player for 2023.
With a return to hosting games in New Zealand on the horizon, as well as the nucleus of a very competitive squad with a mix of experience and uber-talented youth, it wouldn’t shock to see the Warriors break their premiership drought soon.
And considering the sacrifices they’ve made, it’d be a well-deserved triumph.
criag
Roar Rookie
Well I DID have to stick my head out of a similar window whilst standing on top a toilet in Randwick once to see the NYE fireworks.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Pete I think you've inadvertently nailed the problem with the Warriors - they should be an awesome team to watch with SJ and Walsh running the show - the problem being that neither SJ or Walsh can run the show. They are exciting, enigmatic, unpredictable and unreliable conveyances. But neither of them is a Cooper Cronk who is going to steer the team around, keep them on the game plan and keep their heads screwed on tight when things go badly (or too well).
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Tigers were about as gawdawful as they could be in 21. But they still stayed out of the race for the spoon. Their roster and their football department is improved for 22, so it's hard to see them slipping down. Doggies will definitely go up. But Cowboys and Warriors looked lost and have no reliable improvement for next season. So my spoon money stays on them : )
mushi
Roar Guru
But then DW won for an over acted training day vs a beautiful mind so the universe evened that out. Gump beating Pulp Fiction, Usual suspects and shawshank redemption can never be evened out. Think it’s the only Oscar win that is behind three candidates on IMDB rankings
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Even though I am happy that Rabbitohs supremo Russell Cowe won the Oscar for the iconic movie Gladiator, Denzel Washington was hard done by missing out after his performance in “The Hurricane”. Tom Hanks was also not far off for his performance in “Castaway”. It was a close thing for Rusty.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I still can't believe it took 3 or 4 attempts to k!ll her. She was like a post-apocalyptic c-0-ckroach.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I still can't believe Glenn Close didn't win the Oscar for that role ? Politics !
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The Bunny cooked in the pot along with the psychotic obsessive behaviour makes it a fitting metaphor for a cyber-stalker IMO. :stoked:
Pete
Guest
I think they are still at least a year or two away from being genuine contenders but I think they have a side that can get into the top 8 this year. Injuries is probably the key for them. SJ the major one but even guys like CHT and Fonua Blake have had their problems with injuries. If they can stay relatively fit, they should be an awesome team to watch with SJ and Walsh running the show.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I have to say that your Alex Forrest reference was certainly your best yet , GB !
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"Phil Ball once said of Louis van Gaal, ‘he thinks the world only exists as a conspiracy against him.' " Louis van Gaal was onto something, AMD. There is a conspiracy against him. He's Dutch! In the words of another great man, Austin's Dad, Nigel Powers; "There are only two things I can't stand in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures... and the Dutch." :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Feigned intensity AMD. Actually, I'm pretty chilled about the whole thing. Our opinions and wishes don't actually affect our teams performances. If that were the case the Panthers would have kept dropping the ball, missing tackles and tripping all over themselves in the GF. :stoked: :thumbup:
Redcap
Roar Guru
Ok. For somebody who professes to take things lightly, you're very intense. The great Phil Ball once said of Louis van Gaal, 'he thinks the world only exists as a conspiracy against him.'
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
It deserves my contempt and indifference, Watda. But I wrote Tony and AMD a lengthy reply anyway. I'm still waiting for Tony to release it from the spam filter. :stoked: :thumbup:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
AMD, I have a comprehensive answer for both you and Tony which is more appropriate for Tony’s hatchet job story on the Rabbitohs. Look there for your answer mate.
Redcap
Roar Guru
It's all good, GB. No need for the disclaimers. I'll try it again. Let’s look two years and four months into the future… when the Dragons are a powerhouse of the NRL and Souths are propping up the ladder. Jason Demetriou is an assistant at Redcliffe and Cody Walker is the Dolphin's five-eighth. Latrell has just signed with the Tigers, citing Souths' malaise as his motivating factor. Damian Cook has lost most of his pace, but Souths signed him to a long-term extension in 2022 and are now stuck. Lachlan Ilias has joined Hull KR, following in the footsteps on Jai Arrow who was banished to super league after multiple disciplinary breaches. Rumours abound that the beleagured club is considering bringing back 34-year-old halfback Adam Reynolds to provide some much-needed stability. You read it here first, and probably last.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I appreciate that AMD. As you will appreciate that when you use hyperbole for comic effect it is always best to take the liberty of rounding up or down to suit your objective. :silly: :thumbup: Or, if I recall, I count from 21 to 24 on my fingers and had 3 fingers showing at the time. :laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
Which are virtually zero unfortunately
Redcap
Roar Guru
In my defence, it was "let's look two years and four months into the future..." :stoked:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'll counter your "power of the omens" with about 30,000 plus Rabbitohs members lucky Rabbit's feet! :silly: