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After their one-point defeat on Anzac Day, the Warriors came into the match confident that they could bring the fight to the competition leaders, but it wasn't to be as they were sounded defeated 32-10.
This was a soul breaking performance, after predicting the Warriors would lose this match by 16 points they got my hopes up with a strong first 30 minutes and were leading the Storm 10-2 but the seeds of doubt were planted in my head as the Storm scored an easy try to end the half only 2 points behind.
Then, putting it bluntly, the Storm returned to the field after the break and the Warriors stayed in the sheds.
It was a sight we have seen countless times this year, the Warriors started a match with promise, and then the wheels fell off. I don't know how or even if the team can do anything to turn this around, the team is struggling to play as a unit, and this showed in how disorganised when attacking.
I'm not sure what has been happening in the sheds at halftime this year, but whatever it is the Warriors need to steer clear of it for the remainder of the season.
There isn't much to praise this week, but I do have one highlight which leads me to my one positive of the match.
It was good to have Agnatius Paasi back this round, and he provided some strong runs up the middle, if Paasi and Bunty Afoa can get some assistance from the rest of the pack then hopefully the halves can get it together and start getting the backline into attack mode.
That is all I can pick as a positive, which brings me to my negatives.
The team playing as individuals is a huge concern, no one was on the same page, and you could see the frustration in the body language, specifically Tuivasa-Sheck, as things started to fall apart.
When playing the Storm, you need to bring your A-game, anything less sends you home with a loss and if your A-game needs to include all 17 players, not just individuals running around blind hoping for the Storm's line to just open up.
Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima still don't appear to be on the same page, and it is affecting the Warriors last tackle options.
Kodi has an eye for opportunities and displayed that when he ran on the last for Maumalos try, and Blake showed vision with his grubber early in the tackle count for Kodi to score, but after that, both players seemed to disappear.
With the losses mounting, perhaps it's time to think of 2020 and bring Chanel Harris-Tavita in to start his partnership with Kodi, it would at least increase the Warriors attacking threat.
Lastly, the Warriors execution and discipline is hurting them week in and week out.
32 missed tackles, 10 unforced errors and 9 penalties against the top calibre team like Melbourne all but guarantees a loss.
With their attack failing to fire the last thing the Warriors should be doing is handing their opposition easy possession and piggybacks out of their own half.
They need to find respect, not only for the ball but for themselves.
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Beale was a late call up after Patrick Herbert was ruled out the day before the match and despite typically being a handy fill in he appeared to be out of sorts in this match.
At times he held onto the ball when he should have given it to Fusitu'a, and other times he forced a pass the found nothing but touchline.
There were about three blown opportunities from Beale, and hopefully, when given a chance for redemption, he will take it with both hands.
I have my fingers crossed the Hebert returns in the next round as his defence and goal kicking was sorely missed.
Round 14 sees the Warriors travel to the Gold Coast to face the Titans.
The Titans have been weak this year but looked sharp in their round 13 upset over the Brisbane Broncos, so they will not be easy beats bu any stretch.
The Warriors have plenty to work on this week and will be looking at fighting their way out their current funk.
If the Warriors can work on their combinations and find their second phase football again, they should be able to leave the GC with the two points.
I think it is going to be tough but im backing the Warriors to bounce back and im picking them to win by 8 here.
So that was my take on a disappointing Round 13, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.
Do you have a Warrior of the round?
Who was your Warrior to improve?
What would you do to fix the Warriors attack?
What is your score prediction for Round 14 against the Titans?
Nothing new here sadly. The Storm did what they usually do and we did what we usually do. Did you hear the stat that Cameron Smith handled the ball more times during the game than Green, Luke, and Nikorima combined?
ReplyDeleteBrad, you sounded sad and frustrated this week, when normally you try and sound positive and hopeful. It is time to be honest about where we are at this year. We are just not a good team and we have only beaten teams who have played poorly. I just don't see us beating anybody who actually plays well.
Warrior of the round?? I don't know, maybe Paasi? Though Papali'i seemed better this week.
To improve? Man, let's actually think about this rather than just say everybody. Okay, I am going to say Roger. Not in his game play, but maybe we need strong, inspiring leadership right now and he is the captain so let's see what you've got as a leader. Hold the team as players and individuals responsible for what is happening out there. The players surely respect you so tell them what you want. Be strong and command that respect.
Week after week we have been lamenting the lack of attacking venom, and maybe it cannot be fixed using the current lineup. Maybe time to look to some youth and inexperience? Could it be time to get CHT back on board as you suggest or even the strangely rejected Keighran? I still think he was discarded too hastily, but has he been any good in reserve grade? Overall, I draw a blank here.
I forecast a twelve point win over the Titans.
Yes I did hear that stat, he is a hell of a player and he was having a field day in that second half.
DeleteIt's almost that cliche, I'm not mad I'm just disappointed, I try to be positive and hopeful but as you say the Warriors are not a good team this year, The bones of a good team are there they just have a lot of work to do.
Paasi and Papali'i played fine, same as RTS and Ken, the issue was not playing together.
I was going to mention that in my review, the leadership in the team is lacking right now, RTS is growing into a fine leader but he needs help, he had Mannering last year but this year I feel their leadership stocks are down, Harris, Blair and Green all need to step up and help him out.
Reading RTS interviews from after the game you can see he is frustrated and is starting to call players on their bullshit, he needs to make them accountable and yes command that respect.
I think this season is over (I'm hopeful that there will be a turnaround but I'm just being optimistic), so they may as well look to the future and that starts with the halves, Green isn't going to be around for ever and Chanel appears to have the edge over Keighran who has apparently been told he can look elsewhere.
I too think he was dropped too soon and I think he would be a good foil to Kodi but the top brass sound like they have already made their mind up with him.
12 points not a bad prediction.
The Warriors defence started to fray just before half time and let the Storm slip off the hook. The Storm then came out in the second half and gave the Warriors a good old hiding. The Warriors didn’t have any answers and didn’t look like they were even thinking about working hard for each other, that was the most disappointing factor.
ReplyDeleteI hope they rediscover there passion for footy. Maybe they should have a good look back in the locker room better still a deep deep look way down inside of themselves.
Yeah you cant give a team like the Storm any chances, the Warriors did here and were punished.
DeleteThe further into the game the more and more the Warriors looked like they didn't trust the guy beside them.
Some soul searching is needed for sure.
Just gotta say when I see how well James Gavet is going at the Knights .... I have to ask, why did Kearney boot him?
ReplyDeleteF..k we need some Mongrel in the engine room & he has it.
I'm a fan of Gavet and have enjoyed watching him regain his form at the Knights, mongrel is needed and I don't think they have anyone signed right now that has that, but they have $ to find someone at least.
DeleteWarriors 24 - Titans. 18. We need to come out with Positive attitude to the End ! Come On Warriors!
ReplyDeleteI'm hopeful that the Warriors get the job done.
ReplyDeleteBro you been reading my posts lol ..... I was saying pretty much same thing... bring in CHT n give him some time and experience now rather than wait till next year where he will still be a rookie with only a handful of games at the top level.... and yip I question SK s halftime talks.... happens almost every week... when they ignored his gameplan they came out and carved St George in second half
ReplyDeleteI don't see the harm in bringing him back now, what's the worst that can happen? It's obvious that Chanel and Kodi are the planned halves pairing in the future so yeah give him some experience now so they can hit the ground running in 2020.
DeleteKearney has to go. Overall he is responsible for this mess. Why hire him when he wasn't successful at the Eels? As someone pointed out Gavet doing well elsewhere as did Johnson before injury. Blaming Beale? He's a good player but rarely gets game time.
ReplyDeleteKearney isn't up to scratch but I'm hesitant about getting rid of him and starting over all over again. A new coach and a new style would mean more rebuilding. But on the other note I think the Warriors may need to take a page out of the Knights book and rebuild from the bottom, clean out the roster and start again, suffer a year or two down the bottom but build the team for the better in the long run.
DeleteI would like to me to mention Issac Luke as a player who needs to lift his game, two things against the storm really annoyed me. One was in the storms second try where Luke tried to sell an obstruction penalty rather attempt a tackle and the other was late in the second half where he tried to sell a two in the tackle strip where he just let go of the ball and did his best to look surprised. Really poor from someone who is meant to be a leader in the team, all the talk of the warriors not being tough enough and looking for easy options, and there is two very clear examples from a senior player
ReplyDeleteIssac has been poor and needs to sort his game out. It does appear at times that he is just going through the motions and for the Warriors to be successful they need Luke to be active in the ruck area and add to the Warriors kicking defence. His defence needs work, selling to try and get a penalty against the Storm was never going to work.
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