Sell-out home games, plenty of away support, merchandise flying off the shelves and NZ Media outlets leading with Warriors’ game commentary on match day – the Warriors are sitting in seventh, yet it has never been a better time to be a fan.
As someone often guilty of premature celebration – which can affect many men – I appreciate we’ve won nothing yet. But I’m not alone. There is a bubbling optimism from the Warriors faithful that last year’s top-four finish was no one-season wonder.
Many picked the Warriors to struggle this season, citing the North Queensland Cowboys as an example of the challenges new coaches face in their second season. Fair call.
Paul Gallen was one of the few backing the Warriors to better last year’s top-four finish. After six rounds Billy Slater has seen enough to suggest the Warriors could be premiership contenders. It seems the peptides of popular opinion may be turning.
Three from six doesn’t sound like cause for celebration, but there are plenty of indicators they will improve.
A clunky first-round loss to Cronulla was followed by Melbourne’s buzzer-beating Xavier Coates with a finish so stunning Dulux have tried to sign him.
An 18-10 win against Canberra and predictable Ricky Stuart outrage was followed by a hard-fought win against a resilient Knights team, before a thumping victory over the hapless Rabbitohs.
The Warriors looked strangely flat for long periods in last week’s extra-time stalemate against Manly. Manly started strongly courtesy of a Daly Cherry-Evans masterclass, leaping to a 16-0 lead after just 27 minutes.
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Historically, this is when the Warriors capitulate, leaving puzzled coach and captain muttering about attitude and standards in the post-match press conference.
Instead, led by a staggering 346 metres from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and 50-plus tackles each from Mitchell Barnett, Tohu Harris and Wayde Egan the Warriors dragged themselves into contention, falling agonisingly short.
The Warriors have shown again the resilience so often lauded last year. Even when playing poorly, opposing teams need to work hard for 80 minutes, even 90 minutes, to beat them. They keep coming.
Shaun Johnson. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Johnson and Egan have been excellent with Egan well positioned for an Origin spot. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looks like he never left, sitting third in run metres for the season, and Nicoll-Klokstad’s return from injury has shown why he remains Andrew Webster’s first-choice fullback.
The Warriors have played well without yet putting in a complete performance or having their best side on the pitch. The players who have filled the gaps have done their job. There is depth in key positions and growing excitement about what this team could do when everything comes together. With games against the Dragons and Titans coming up, it could come sooner than later.
The future looks even brighter with the tremendous addition of Kiwi captain and three-time premiership winner James Fisher-Harris for 2025. I can’t think of a better player to replace Addin Fonua-Blake. The social media messaging groups exploded with the news. He brings a great work ethic, mana and an understanding of what it takes to win.
Andrew Webster has created an environment that supports performance. The Warriors are well-organised and have smart game plans on match day. The fans love it, and the players are loving it. There is no doubt this has helped the club attract talent like Kurt Capewell and Fisher-Harris.
The fifth round Melbourne-Broncos game has been the best of the season; a benchmark standard. The Warriors aren’t quite there yet but it feels like they’re not far away.
It might be premature, but I can’t help but be excited. And I know I’m not alone. The Warriors’ bandwagon has never been so crowded, and it is awesome to be a part of. Up the Wahs!
Maso
Roar Rookie
Jeremy, you have a lot to be excited about. Wahs are on here, and if they continue to have success, there is a case for NZ to grab the next team for expansion. JFH next year, RTS and a SJ resurgence has us all excited!
steveng
Roar Rookie
All I’m dirty about as a Bunnies support is that there are more Warriors fans in the vicinity of the supposed Bunnies home ground “The Accor Stadium” than there are Bunnies fans :laughing: as in the last encounter in R5 game, you could see that there were more Warrior jumpers in the crowd than Bunnies jumpers, as NO Bunnies fan will travel 25km (50km round trip) out to that monstrosity. But the Warriors are doing well and good on them, as they got their stuff sorted (better than the Bunnies) as they look like a well drilled and managed side, that is even though they got convincingly beaten by the Dragons yesterday. Warriors' fans are great fun and my Nee Zeeland, sex again Kiwi mates are great fun sharing some fushhh and chupps with etc etc :laughing:
Nat
Roar Guru
I won’t say I’m on the bandwagon because I tend to want for more for those not doing well. The Wahs are going great and becoming a threat so I’ll treat them as such. It is great to see what they are doing fo the game back in NZ. I cannot remember such support in all their time. Further it looks like a fun crowd to be involved in and that will create a great culture for the next gen to follow while making inroads into union dominance over there.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Jeremy, I have been on the band wagon all year. I've tipped them to be top 4 again this year. I could see no reason why they would slip with Fonua Blake staying on and with the addition of Capewell, RTS & Harris Tevita this year. The team is another year more experienced under Webster and it is now only injuries that can disrupt their chances, and even there they have more depth than last year. The loss of Metcalf is a blow but I reckon Te Mare Martin will prove an able replacement in the weeks to come. Wayde Egan has finally reached the level we all expected from his juniors dominance at Penrith. Obviously, a slow developer, but he is right up there now, although he does seem to cop a few injuries regularly? The back 5 play like the Panthers and give the Wahs great starts to their sets. Their middle third of AFB, Barnett & Harris dominate the guts. It is now just up to Johnson to work off that great platform to create opportunities for his willing backline.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Four teams have dominated the NRL era , except when teams like Saints, Manly, the Sharks , the Knights, the Tigers, the Dogs and the Cows were winning the comp and being either the top or second best team in the comp. The Broncos have been back in the pack for most of this century. The Warriors , Raiders and Eels have made G.F's as well , so yes all clubs have the chance to challenge for the crown if they get things right and most do at various times.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Hopefully you get Niukore back and in form. Gee he runs a good line. I just think Webster needs to slowly get your guys to be slightly more adventurous in attack.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
There have been 104 spots in the top 4 . The Storm, Roosters , Panthers and Broncs have taken up 48 of those spots. Yeah all animals are equal.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Chooks have missed the top four eleven times in the NRL era. That's fine. I'm sure Manly made the top four as many times in the seventies and eighties and Souths in the sixties and seventies. The Eels in the seventies and eighties and the Dogs the same. Saints had a decent run a while back too. I'm sure I read that the NRL is the most even comp in world sport.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Which teams have consistently made the top four since 1998? The Storm are one but who are the others? Plenty of teams have won a title in the NRL era and not long ago the punters were complaining about the dominance of teams like the Storm and Chooks. They aren't dominating now , it's the Pennies. The Warriors are proving my point. They were battling and nobody rated them but now they are considered a decent chance at the title. The same possibility exists for the other bottom dwellers.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Since the NRL kicked off only 4 teams have consistently made the top 4. Nearly 50 percent of top 4 spots have been taken by only 4 teams . It will be no different this year,. As for making the 8? Well in a distant universe a team finishing 5, 6, 7 or 8 may win it but, I don't think I will be around to see it.
Jeremy Brown
Roar Pro
It's a good point about the attack. We lost metcalf early and Nuikore hasn't played much - he keeps the forward momentum going when AFB comes off. With RTS adjusting to centre (and time at FB) and CNK returning in the last few weeks I hope it will help the attack flow a bit more. CNK was an important part of the backline plays to put DWZ in at the corner last year. Which he did a lot.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I've said it before but the 4 things a Club needs to win a premiership are strong, stable management, good recuitment & retention, a good coach and a good squad. Right now, the Warriors have just about all these elements in place, so on paper they should be there or thereabouts when the finals start. My only concern is the attack which really hasn't got going yet and probably needs to come good soon and stay good for the rest of the year.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I've got one foot on the bandwagon. A few teams have had plenty of luck winning titles and now it's the turn of some others. To requote myself '' any team can make the 8 in the NRL and any team can challenge for the title within a few years'' The Warriors are a probable example of this.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I like the way the Wahs go about things. They really are becoming a consistent footy side . Whodda thunk? I reckon they are just a bit too conservative to make a a GF but they are tracking towards the 4 and that gives them a show. The best thing about the Wahs is the support they get over the ditch. I went to a game at Mt Smart and it was awesome This can only be great for the game.
Jeremy Brown
Roar Pro
Agree. Webster has made such an impact. Hard not to enjoy what the club is doing right now. Above all else it's really pleasing to see the effort on defence - something the warriors haven't been known for. I'm excited.
SSTID
Roar Rookie
I am with you Jeremy, I think they are the real sleeper for this year's Grand Final, if not premiership. Penrith are still the gold standard as far as consistent effort and search for perfection, but the few games I have see of the Warriors this year remind me of Cronulla when they won the premiership - they stick in the game and more than not, they find a way to win. They certainty have strike power and defensive effort, but they do tend to have a little nano naps in games, but then still mange to get back into the game when it gets serious. They are certainty building a good platform and provided they escape major injuries (they also escape the chaos of SoO) they have a good chance of being fresh and firing at the back end of the season.