Five Players to Stand Out in 2021

With the 2021 season nearing and my season preview on hold until the preseason matches are played, I thought I would offer my opinions on the five players I think will have big seasons in Warriors colours. The rankings are in no particular order, so let's jump into my list.

1. Addin Fonua-Blake

Copyright Photo: Warriors.kiwi

First on my list is the Warriors marquee signing of 2021. Fonua-Blake comes into the Warriors camp as a top tier front-rower. Voted by his peers as the top front-rower in the NRL Players Poll in 2020, there is plenty of expectation on the 25-year-old, and I have little doubt that he will deliver.

In 2020, Fonua-Blake played 15 matches, averaging 166 running metres per game. The Warriors sorely need this as most of the Warriors other front rowers did not reach triple digits with their average running metres. He also finished the 2020 season with a 93.9% tackle efficiency, with missed tackles being one of my constant bugbears in my match reviews, he should be able to help the Warriors defend the middle.

Fonua-Blake discipline and attitude have been called into question in the past, most recently being sent off after fulltime last season in the Sea Eagles match against the Newcastle Knights for abusing the referee.

This is probably my biggest worry with Fonua-Blake because as many fans know the referees give the Warriors more than enough opportunities to have a go at them, so hopefully he has learnt his lesson and will focus on the game instead of the officials, leave the speaking with referees to the skipper.

His aggression is a welcome addition to the squad (look at the impact Jack Hetherington aggression brought to the side in 2020) and I cannot wait to see him run out in a Warriors jersey.

2. Eliesa Katoa

Copyright Photo: Warriors.kiwi

If Harry Grant wasn't playing last year, I believe Eliesa Katoa would have been the NRL's rookie of the year, with his limited experience in Rugby League Katoa exploded onto the scene and showed that he will be a star for the Warriors.

A strong runner and defender, I see no reason why Katoa won't go from strength to strength in 2021.

He managed 13 games in his first season in first grade and ended the season with 6 tries, 16 offloads and 99 averaged running metres, many of his tries came from the development of a great partnership with Kodi Nikorima and while his impact did dampen a bit when Kodi switched sides of the park. I hope the Warriors pair these two up again by moving Katoa to the right edge in 2021. 

The Warriors are stacked with quality second rowers this year. There will be ongoing battles for the gameday 17, internal competition is fantastic and Warriors fans can be sure that the players will be giving their all to ensure they earn their spot. Despite this competition, I would be making sure Katoa was in my 17.

If I had a concern with Katoa, it would be the dreaded second-year syndrome, it has hit many players in the NRL, but I have my fingers crossed that Katoa manages to avoid it.

By all accounts, Katoa is not only talented but extremely dedicated. With the Warriors forced to live, eat and train together once again, I am sure he is absorbing everything he can from the experienced players around him and will come out firing in 2021.

3. Wayde Egan

Copyright Photo: Warriors.Kiwi

Wayde Egan made my players to stand out in 2020 list, and I'm keeping him on the list once again.

I feel like there is no other player on the Warriors roster under more pressure than Egan, coming into this season many have raved about the Warriors roster (myself included). However, many have pointed at the hooker position as the sides biggest weakness. The loss of Karl Lawton to injury has not helped, and it will be up to Egan to carry the load.

I gave Egan a pass mark in 2020, and while there were parts of his game that I didn't like (the no-look passes for one), I saw enough to believe that he can get the job done this year.

With all the recent signings in the pack, the Warriors should have no issues getting some decent go forward this season. That should allow Egan to play his natural game and cement himself as the Warriors #1 hooker.

He is great at sniping out of dummy half, but we didn't really get to see a lot of that in 2020 with Egan only averaging 26 running metres a game, but again I think with this new look pack I expect to see that average increase. He also has quite a handy kicking game which will help the Warriors keep their opposition guessing and take some pressure of Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita.

My biggest concern with Egan is his health, he has added several stints on the sideline with injuries and with the lack of hooker cover in the Warriors squad I have my fingers crossed the Egan can stay healthy and ultimately show everyone that the Warriors don't need to go sign a new hooker.

4. Bayley Sironen

Copyright Photo: Warriors.Kiwi

Out of all the people on this list, Bayley Sironen is the one I know the least about. 

Obviously, he comes from a well-known league family and has plenty of potential, so he is a really exciting signing that I look forward to learning more about.

He played 19 games for the Rabbitohs last season mostly from the bench playing in the second row but did play in the centres for his last match with the South Sydney side. He only averaged 78 running metres and 1 offload, but I am sure if given a chance Sironen will improve those stats.

As I mentioned above, the Warriors have plenty of talent in the second-row stocks, and it is going to be a great fight for whoever gets the nod, and I can't wait to see these young players push their claims.

I am certain that Sironen's ability to slot into the backline if required will ensure him a spot at least on the bench for the Warriors this season.

5. Ben Murdoch-Masila

Copyright Photo: NRL.com

My last pick is my personal favourite. 

Call me a fanboy, but I am a big fan of Murdoch-Masila and was over the moon when his signing was announced. His time in the NRL with the Wests Tigers and the Panthers wasn't a highlight reel, and he found himself in the Superleague a lot sooner than he probably would have expected, signing with the Salford Reds. 

However, when he moved to the Warrington Wolves, he really started to build some momentum and grow as a footballer, becoming a fan favourite in no time, and I have no doubts that he will do the same in Warriors colours.

A devastating runner with a penchant for the try line, Murdoch-Masila shows surprising speed for a large athlete and is a hard man to stop whenever he has the ball in hand. He also has a bit of skill when it comes to ball handling, putting his teammates into scoring positions with some nice short passes. He also doesn't hold back on the defensive side of the game, being a reliable defender with the ability to lay on the big hits when needed.

My concern for BMM is the jump from Superleague to NRL, while he was a star in the Superleague there is no denying that the NRL is a step up. However, I'm confident that he will have what it takes in the NRL this time around.

BMM suffered a scare this preseason with a pec injury, but thankfully it wasn't that severe, and he will be ready to go in Round one. 

There has been plenty of conversation of where he will be playing in 2021 with many people selecting him alongside Addin Fonua-Blake in the front row, but coach Nathan Brown has stated that he is looking at keeping BMM an edge forward much like his time in Warrington. 

I cant wait to see BMM in Warriors colours, and I'm looking forward to seeing him go toe to toe with David Fifita in Round One.

So those were my picks for the five Warriors players I think will stand out in 2021. Next week I will be offering my thoughts on the five players I think need to improve in 2021 but until then let me know what you think on my choices and who you think will be having a big season this year.

My Thank You List for 2020

 

Well, 2020 has finally come to an end which means it's now time for my thank you list for 2020. This year has not gone how anyone predicted and will be talked about for years to come with COVID changing the way we live our lives. 

So much has happened in 2020 and it was a mixed bag for me, some good, some bad and a lot of lessons learned.

We (or more specifically I) tend to focus on the unfortunate events that cause bumps in our journey, so this list will steer away from that and focus on all the things I am grateful for instead of focusing on the negatives that plagued 2020 worldwide.

I'm thankful to my friends and family for all the love, support and guidance you have shown me in 2020. There were times in 2020 where I lost faith in myself, but you guys never did, and your support has helped me get through.

Thank you so much for everything you have done for me, I know we haven't been able to socialise much, and I'm not the best at calling or texting, but I will strive to be better in 2021.

I'm thankful to my partner, I know I'm not the easiest person to deal with for the most part.

I know I can be cranky and difficult at times and I spend a lot of my spare time writing, so you don't always get the attention you deserve but thank you for putting up with me and always being there for me. You have been so supportive of me and my writing, and I aim to be a better partner to you, and I look forward to what 2021 brings us.

I'm also thankful to the Warriors and all of you for your support with my writing in 2020.

To be honest, at the start of the 2020 season, I was not confident in how the Warriors would perform, and I struggled to get back into writing. However, the 2020 season was one of the most interesting seasons I have ever seen, and I really started to enjoy my writing again when the season restarted in May. It sucked not being able to go to live matches for the entire season and who knows when we will be back at Mount Smart again but that first game back in New Zealand will be amazing.

Thanks to all of you on here I finished 2020's season with 7419 views and 1294 followers on the Facebook page, I hope to continue to grow my site in 2021 and continue to offer you my take on all that is the Warriors in the 2021 season. 

I would not be able to continue my dream of writing without the support from the Warriors community.

Thank you to Charlie and the NZ Warriors Diehards page, the View from the East Stand crew, the Faither gang, Roo and Hammer, This Warriors Life, Fonzie and all then other Warriors Facebook pages that allow me to share my articles on your pages or appear on your podcast's (fingers crossed for some more collaborations in 2021).

This community is fantastic, and I appreciate all the feedback I have gotten this year, it has truly helped me grow and develop my skills as a writer. I know I still have a long way to go, but I know I will get there with your continued support.

We didn't get many chances to meet in person in 2020, but I'm hopeful I will get more chances to meet some of you in person this year.

Thanks also to Matt, Andrew and all the writers at Nothingbutleague.com  I have loved writing for that site and I look forward to contributing to the site again in 2021.

Lastly, I am thankful for the opportunity to start the show The Stand-Off on New Zealand Sports Radio. 

Thank you to Paul for giving me the chance to be a host, and I hope I can help grow the show and continue to learn from you. Thanks also to my co-host Sanjay for joining me on this journey, it has been a great ride, and I look forward to you returning to the show.

It has been a challenge to do a weekly live show discussing Rugby League as I am not used on camera, but I have really enjoyed what we have created so far, and I can't wait for season two to kick off.

Overall 2020 had its fair share of downs for me, but that has just made me appreciate the up's so much more.

I'm excited for 2021 and whatever it brings me, continuing to develop my writing and writing opportunities will be at the forefront of my 2020 goals. The Warriors 2021 season will be a top priority once again with my game review writeups being released the Monday after each Warriors performance.

I will start my season writings shortly with my five players to Stand Out, and five players in improve in the 2021 season so look out for those in the next few weeks as well as my Warriors season preview for my site as well as the preview I write for Nothing but League.

Thank you again, everyone, for all your support in 2020 and good luck to all of you for 2021. I hope it brings you all you dream for an more.