It was a must-win game for the Warriors if they wanted to keep their dreams of a top-eight finish alive. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as the Warriors went down 22-14, ruling out any chances of making the playoffs.
Devastated is probably the best word to describe how I felt when Toby Rudolf barged over for his try in the final stages of this match, sealing the Warriors fate.
Devastated is probably the best word to describe how I felt when Toby Rudolf barged over for his try in the final stages of this match, sealing the Warriors fate.
I legitimately thought the Warriors were going to walk away with the two points here, but the Sharks had a game plan and never really looked in doubt despite losing their lead in the second half.
The sharks won the battle of the forwards, and Shaun Johnson unleashed his short kicking game causing plenty of havoc for the Warriors. The Warriors showed glimpses of promise on attack but couldn't string enough attacking threats together to take control of the match.
It looked like the side lack some confidence, when they took a shot at goal to take a two-point lead instead of trying to get another try, it was a telltale sign of a side not backing their attack.
I am disappointed, but the way this side has performed through all the adversities they have faced is something the fans can take pride in. Two months ago I stated that I thought the Warriors only had one more win in them (against the Bulldogs) and I have never been happier to be wrong.
This team has punched well above its weight this year, and I'm hopeful that the Warriors take everything they learnt this season and build on it in 2021. If they can perform for an entire season in the way they have since round 11, then they give themselves a great chance of playing in the 2021 playoffs.
Despite the result, there was some aspect of the match that made me smile, which leads me to my positives from the game.
The Warriors didn't give up and fought back from a 12-0 deficit to take a 14-12 lead. They weren't able to keep the points ticking over, but for the second week in a row, the Warriors showed heart when in the past we have seen the Warriors drop their heads and get thumped. Again it's a quality that I hope to see continue into next season.
The forwards were bullied up the middle, but Jack Murchie had another outstanding night. He lead the tackle count with 46 and also lead the team in linebreaks, making 2. He has had a great few weeks, and the Warriors second-row stocks look great for the future. With Murchie, Eliesa Katoa, Tohu Harris and Jazz Tevaga, the Warriors have themselves quite a dangerous-looking pack.
Lastly, we didn't see enough of it, but the Warriors looked dangerous when playing some expansive football. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Peta Hiku threatened several times with Hiku's flick pass that lead to Adam Pompey's try being a standout for me.
I hope we see plenty more of the attacking flair in the final two rounds with nothing to lose. Let's see the Warriors end the 2020 season with some flamboyant football.
Unfortunately, there was plenty to frown about, which leads me to my negatives.
The Warriors showed heart with their bounce back, but once again they started the match too slow. The NRL is a tough competition, and you cannot afford to let any side run away with a lead in the early stages. I'm not sure if its an attitude thing or just an issue with the Warriors gameplan but it's something Todd Payten can try to address in his final two weeks in charge of the New Zealand side.
Apart from a handful of exciting plays, the Warriors seemed to lack some direction on attack. Often relying on predictable short passes to a forward. It a good ploy when you spot a weakness in the defensive line, but the Warriors need to reduce the predictability, especially with a tough match with the Raiders coming this week.
My regular complaint about the Warriors is back once again with the Warriors missing 35 tackles. They still can scramble well, and they were a lot better at wrapping the ball carrier up this week, but they need to cut their missed tackles in half if they want to win more matches than they lose.
Towards the end of the match, they appeared to be out on their feet due to the Sharks making plenty of dummy half running. Once the Sharks started doing that the Warriors were in trouble and couldn't stop the Sharks momentum.
Lastly, the Warriors had a poor showing with discipline and errors.
The Warriors made 10 errors and gave away 9 penalties, when you let your opposition off the hook almost 20 times in a match it is hard to walk away with the victory.
The Warriors were hard-done-by with some of the penalties they were pinged with and were unlucky with some calls not going their way, but it wasn't the difference between winning and losing here.
The Warriors seldom get the rub of the green when it comes to the man with the whistle, so they need to take him out of the match, give no reasons for the Refs to step in and watch the team string some wins together.
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My Warrior of the match goes to Tohu Harris.
I may as well call it now, but Harris has been my Warrior of the year. In a pack filled to the brim with inexperience, he as stepped up and lead from the front.
Leading the pack with 202 metres and playing some of the matches in the front row, Harris always bent the line as he attempted to get the Warriors on the front foot.
He is the cornerstone of the Warriors forwards, and if all the young players around him can emulate what he brings to the park, then the Warriors are going to have one of the top packs in the NRL.
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My Warrior to improve goes to Kodi Nikorima.
I feel like I could almost cut and paste what I said last week when I selected Nikorima for this section.
Kodi didn't run the ball enough once again, the forward's lack of punch was a key reason, but the Warriors really need Kodi to get his running boots on again.
When he takes the line on, the Warriors attack goes to another level, and they can compete with the top teams in the competition. I have confidence that Kodi and Chanel will be a good halves pairing for the Warriors, they just need Kodi to show some consistency.
Round 19 sees the Warriors head to Canberra to face a Raiders side looking at cracking the top four.
It is going to be a tough outing for the Warriors, and with Parramatta taking back George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro after the loss to the Sharks it makes the clash just a little bit harder. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown is also set to miss the match after getting charged with a dangerous contact charged which he has plead guilty too.
With the playoff dreams dashed and only two weeks to go, maybe it's time to give some of the players that have not been used that much some game time. Guys like Tom Ale, Adam Keighran and Paul Turner deserve a shot.
I think the Raiders will be too strong for the Warriors in this match, and I'm going with Canberra to win the game by 12, but I have my fingers crossed for a strong effort by the Warriors, I don't want to see them drop their heads now that a spot in the playoffs is off the table.
So that was a heartbreaking Round 18, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.
What is your assessment of the Warriors 2020 campaign?
Would you bring in the players that haven't played yet for the final two rounds?
Who was your player of the day?
What is your score prediction for the Raiders clash?
What is your assessment of the Warriors 2020 campaign?
Would you bring in the players that haven't played yet for the final two rounds?
Who was your player of the day?
What is your score prediction for the Raiders clash?
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ReplyDeleteYou have summed up the game well Brad. It felt like the first half was spent getting close to the Sharks line, only to let them off hook tamely, preventing us from putting them under pressure.
ReplyDeleteLately we have been better in the second half of matches, even staging dramatic comebacks but in this game we tired as the game wore on, perhaps the result of such a challenging season.
Overachieved is how many would assess our season, and again we find ourselves lamenting a couple of missed opportunities for wins that would have made a huge difference. The emergence of players like Murchie, Turner, Tanoa-Brown, Katoa and of course Harris-Tavita has been a real positive and we do seem to be moving forward rather than stagnating which is heartening. I thank the loan players who joined the team for guest appearances. They all did a good job in a difficult situation with Hetherington being especially memorable. He seemed surprisingly committed in a team that wasn't his own. Payten did a great job of integrating the 'loaners' and our inability to sign Payten for the future might be one of the biggest negatives to come out of the season.
I would love to see the 'spare' players given a run. It has probably been tough for them waiting on the sidelines for the season so hopefully they get a chance to impress.
Murchie may have been my player of the day; hard working and keen to get involved and make an impact. I like what I see so far.
Hard to see us beating the Raiders, though we did surprise them late last season, which probably means they will be even more ready for us this time. Our excellent win against the Knights may turn out to be our last win of the season but let's see them tip up the Raiders by 4-6 points.
Yes the team looked out on their feet at times in the final quarter of the match and that was really the difference here.
DeleteOverachieved is a pretty apt assessment. Before the season started I predicted a 12th place finish and after the enforced COVID break I pushed the Warriors further down after poor performances in rounds 1 and 2. So for the Warriors to potentially end the season 9th or 10th is fantastic, with everything they have gone through I expected to see the side fall apart and honestly perform like how the Broncos have been going.
The youngsters have stood up in 2020, Murchie, Turner, Taunoa-Brown, Katoa and Harris-Tavita have been great and I feel like the experiences they have gone through in this season has sped up thier development and they will all the better for it in 2021. The Loan players were great, they played with passion for a club they had no allegiance to. Payten stood up and I'm sure the Warriors will regret letting him slip but with the news of his father in law, I'm not entirely sure what they could have done to keep him.
Yeah I think the players that have spent all year in camp without getting a run deserve a shot, the season is over so give them a chance to shine. Especially with some players off contract and needing some gametime to plead theior case for a new deal either with the Warriors or elsewhere.
Murchie has been great, a big bidy that isnt afraid to put in the work and offers plenty on attack. Glad the Warriors were able to lure him away from Canberra.
I hope the Warriors suprise the Raiders once again but yes a tall order, I think they still have a chance at defeating Manly in the final round however.
murchie a great inclusion. tavita harris will only get better. two legends tohu harris and rts always put there bodies on the line as been said many times before but im sure next year is their year. new coach hope they continue as they have in the last 6 weeks.can win last 2 games
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