Five Players to Stand Out in 2022

With the 2021 season nearing, my season preview is 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. Shaun Johnson

First on my list is the returning Shaun Johnson. The announcement that Johnson was returning to the Warriors took many by surprise. However, after three years with the Cronulla Sharks, the prodigal son has returned.

Johnson has had his fair share of concerns with injuries, managing only 44 games in three seasons with the Sharks. In 2021 SJ only played 10 matches, averaging 369 kicking metres and forced 15 dropouts. He also had 5 try assists and 8 linebreak assists.

SJ comes back to his original club a different player, a more settled, experienced half that doesn't rely solely on the razzle and dazzle to make an impact on matches. The Warriors success will depend heavily on his kicking, specifically his short kicking game, which has been a weakness for the club since his exit in 2018. I'm looking forward to seeing his combination with Reece Walsh develop, and I'm sure they will have many defenders wary.

I just have my fingers crossed that he can stay injury-free this season.

2. Reece Walsh

Reece Walsh exploded onto the scene in 2021 and was one of the more positive stories to come out of last season. An exciting prospect that is a bit rough around the edges that has made watching the Warriors enjoyable again.

Walsh played 16 games in his debut season, scoring 9 tries and kicking 21 goals. He was a livewire with the ball in hand with 53 tackle breaks and 14 linebreaks; he was also was key to the Warriors attack with 11 try assists. If an aspect of his game needs work, it's his defence; he ended the season with 31 missed tackles and was found out of position several times.

I am excited to see what Walsh delivers in 2022; he is a superstar in the making, filled to the brim with potential. With a massive forward pack and an experienced halfback leading the Warriors around, Walsh will not be relied on to do everything, and this should free him up to create plenty of highlight-reel moments. He has had some issues with aggression on the field and a few dramas off it; however, I think the older players in the Warriors camp will take him under their wing and iron out the wrinkles. I expect big things from Walsh, and I think he is a player that the Warriors can build around as they attempt to return to the playoffs. I just hope the dreaded second-year syndrome avoids the youngster.

3. Aaron Pene

I can't make a list like this without putting a front-rower on it, and I expect big things from Aaron Pene. The Warriors prop rotation was not the best in 2021, but his signing should help that. He could easily quickly move up the ranks and become my favourite current Warrior sooner rather than later.

Due to being in a stacked Storm forward pack, Pene only played 9 games in 2021. He averaged 86 running metres per match, running 774 in total. He can be a handful, making 10 tackle breaks and throwing 2 offloads. He is a sound defender ending his season with a 92.4% tackle efficiency. 

This could be a breakout season for Pene; he comes to the Warriors looking for a chance to make an impact in first grade; he has all the makings of a top tier front-rower. Big and mobile with a massive gas tank. If he can increase his average running metres closer to the 100-metre mark, the Warriors will be in a good position to stop the performance drop that happens when AFB and Matt Lodge are off the park.

4. Josh Curran

Josh Curran was actually on my list of players that needed to improve in 2021, and boy did he deliver. I questioned if he would make the gameday 17 with so many other second rowers in the squad; however, when he got his shot, he took it with both hands and never looked back.

He played 14 games for the Warriors in 2021, scoring 4 tries, breaking 23 tackles and making 15 offloads. He was also strong without the ball, making 548 tackles with a 92.6% tackle efficiency rating. Curran averaged 79 average running metres for a total of 1112 metres for the year. 

He is full of heart and drive, which are two of the most important things for a footballer that you simply can't teach or train. Curran was a standout in 2021, dangerous with the ball in hand, developing a lethal partnership with Reece Walsh. You know he will give you everything he has, and I expect to see him go to another level and become a regular starter in the 2022 pack.

5. Junior Ratuva

My last pick is Junior Ratuva; the giant winger was in the Warriors squad last season but was removed from the top 30 after sustaining an injury. Now injury-free 2022 could be his time to shine.

While he spent most of 2021 injured, he did manage to come back and play 3 matches for the Dolphins. He had limited impact in his short spell, scoring 1 try and making 3 tackle breaks and a linebreak. He averaged 57 running metres. If you look at his highlight reels from previous years in the lower grades, you can see the potential he has.

Ratuva's got the size and speed to be the Warriors next big thing on the wing. While I don't see him getting in the gameday 17 straight away, he should be the next cab off the rank if one of the starters get injured or drop in form. If he wasnt injured last year, I believe you would have seen him make his debut instead of Ed Kosi. Ratuva just needs to be given a chance and seize the opportunity. Give him the ball in space and watch him do some damage.

So those were my picks for the five Warriors players I think will stand out in 2022. Next week I will be offering my thoughts on the five players I believe will need to improve in 2022, but until then, let me know what you think of my choices and who you think will be having a big season this year.