NZ Warriors 2025 Mid-Season Review: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

With the Warriors enjoying their second bye of the season in Round 15, I have no match to review, so I thought it was the best time to write my mid-season review.

I came into the 2025 season with realistic expectations. In my season preview, I said that if the Warriors could string together a few early wins, they’d have a chance to play finals, but with so many quality teams in the mix, I tipped them to finish tenth.

Right now, that prediction is way off, in the best possible way. The Warriors are sitting third on the ladder with 24 points and a +35 points differential.

One of the biggest turnarounds from last season has been their form on the road. In 2024, they finished with a disappointing away record of 3-9. Fast forward to 2025; they’re 5-2 away from home. They’ve also flipped the script in close contests. Last year, they lost six games by six points or fewer. This year, they’ve won five and lost just one by the same margin. Winning those tight games has been crucial; it’s put the Warriors in control of their own destiny.

Sticking with the format I’ve used over the past few seasons, I’ll break this review down into the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Then I’ll wrap things up with a look ahead to the second half of the season, update my Player of the Year tally, and give my prediction for the Panthers clash in Round 16.

So, let's just get into it.

The Good

The Warriors’ gritty style has been a cornerstone of their rise into the top four in 2025. From the opening rounds, they’ve built a reputation for refusing to back down, whether holding firm in defence, scrambling to shut down second-phase play, or grinding out low-scoring wins.

While others have struggled for consistency, the Warriors have stayed composed and committed, turning defence into opportunity and sticking to their systems. It’s not flashy, but it’s highly effective in a tight competition. What makes their surge even more impressive is how they’ve thrived despite adversity, injuries and new combinations. Their relentless mindset and team-first approach have made them a respected and legitimate premiership contender.

The Warriors’ goal-line defence has played a vital role in their success this season. Their toughness and discipline in repelling repeated attacks near their own try line have frequently forced opponents into mistakes or limited their scoring chances. This ability to stand firm under pressure has helped the Warriors protect narrow leads and swing momentum in tight contests. By consistently shutting down attacks close to the line, the team has built the resilience and confidence needed to secure crucial wins throughout the season to date.

The rise of young talents like Leka Halasima, Demitric Vaimauga, Jacob Laban, and Sam Healy has been one of my standout highlights of the Warriors’ 2025 season. These emerging players have injected fresh energy, skill, and enthusiasm into the team, showcasing the growing strength of the club’s development system. Building on this positive momentum, the Harold Matts team has won their competition for the second consecutive year, while the NSW Cup side currently leads the ladder in theirs. These successes not only boost the Warriors’ present performance but also highlight the significant progress in nurturing young talent at every level. This new generation of players promises a bright future for the club, with continued growth and greater roles ahead.

So far, my game of the year was the Warriors' last match, their 40-10 victory over the Sharks. It showcased the Warriors’ resilience and ability to overcome adversity, missing key players like Mitch Barnett and Wayde Egan. After a string of tight, stressful contests, it was refreshing to see the team not just survive but dominate and pull away convincingly in the second half. Despite some early attacking struggles, the Warriors found their rhythm, showing promising signs of fluidity and cohesion, especially in their forwards and second-phase play. Facing a decent Sharks side, the Warriors proved they can compete at a high level and adapt under pressure, giving me genuine excitement and confidence about their top-four chances and the season ahead. This game felt like a clear turning point and a glimpse of the team’s bright future.

The Bad

One concerning aspect in the Warriors’ 2025 season has been their inability to beat top-tier teams. All three of their losses have come against fellow top-four sides, once to the Storm and twice to the Raiders, raising doubts about whether they can compete with the NRL’s elite. While they’ve handled most opponents with consistency and control, these defeats have highlighted issues with execution and composure in pressure moments. However, the improvement in their performances since their last loss suggests they’re heading in the right direction. Upcoming matchups against the Broncos (Round 17), Dolphins (Round 22), and ladder-leading Bulldogs (Round 23) will be a true test of their title hopes and show whether they’ve made the improvements needed to be genuine contenders.

The Warriors’ attack has struggled to find its rhythm in 2025, with clunky combinations, slow ball movement, and a lack of cohesion stalling momentum at crucial times. Constant changes to the back five due to injuries have likely played a role, disrupting the flow and making it harder to build consistent attacking sets. Too often, their plays have lacked direction, making it difficult to sustain pressure or turn good field position into points. But things may be turning around if their latest performance is anything to go by. The side showed more fluency and purpose with the ball, hinting that their attacking combinations are finally starting to click.

The Warriors usually keep their discipline and errors low, which helps them build leads and stay in control. But when momentum shifts to the opposition, things quickly fall apart. Under pressure, the Warriors often lose possession with careless mistakes while trying to get out of their own half. This loss of composure only fuels the momentum swing, letting opponents score and turning comfortable leads into tense, close games. This shows a key area they need to improve: staying focused and protecting the ball when the pressure is highest.

My bad match of the year was the Round 1 30-8 defeat to the Raiders in Las Vegas. From start to finish, the Raiders outclassed them, exposing a lack of pace, direction, and cohesion that made it tough to watch. Changes to the starting lineup and interchange strategy didn’t pay off, leaving the side without the forward platform they rely on. While there were a few brief flashes of promise, the Warriors looked flat and disjointed, almost like they were playing at half the speed of the Raiders. The occasion itself, playing in Las Vegas, may have added to the pressure and thrown them off their game.

Plenty of harsh lessons were learned that night, and to their credit, the Warriors took them to heart. Since then, they've responded with stronger, more composed performances that suggest real growth and resilience.

And now all that's left is the ugly.

The Ugly

One of the toughest blows of the Warriors’ 2025 season was losing co-captain Mitchell Barnett to a season-ending ACL injury. A heart-and-soul player, Barnett brought leadership, toughness, and relentless effort through the middle of the field. His defensive steel, hard carries, and no-nonsense attitude often set the tone for those around him. Just as important was his voice, rallying the forwards and lifting the side in crucial moments. His absence isn’t just about missing a physical presence; it leaves a big gap in leadership and emotional drive. While several younger players have stepped up impressively in his place, the real test will be whether they, and the rest of the forward pack, can maintain that same level of intensity and consistency every week for the rest of the season.

Before the 2025 season even began, the Warriors suffered a major blow when Tohu Harris retired due to persistent knee problems. Losing a player of his talent and leadership so suddenly left a huge hole in the forward pack and in the team’s identity. Harris was more than just a hard worker; he was the steady presence in the middle, the key organiser in defence, and the emotional heart of the team. His absence has been deeply felt all year. Others have stepped up, especially Erin Clark, who is having a breakout season in his first year back with the club, but there’s simply no replacing a figure like Tohu. This wasn’t the ending he deserved, but the NRL can be harsh, and sometimes even the greatest warriors must bow out sooner than they hoped.

My ugly match of 2025 was the 42-14 defeat to the Storm in Round 6. This was easily my worst game of the year so far. The Warriors were completely outplayed and looked off from start to finish. Their defence was shredded by the Storm’s relentless second-phase attack, exposing weaknesses we had already noticed but hoped were fixed. The team seemed rattled, making careless errors that killed their momentum. Losing James Fisher-Harris early didn’t fully explain the collapse; the damage was done well before that. The second half showed some fight, but it felt too little, too late, especially since the Storm had already rested key players by then. The losing streak against the Storm feels like a curse now, an anchor weighing heavily on the Warriors whenever they face this powerhouse. This performance was a big step backward, but also seemed like a wake-up call, as since then, the Warriors have always managed to stay in the fight.

The Season so far and what's next

Overall, the Warriors have exceeded my expectations this season to date. The ladder is still tight, like it is most years, but the Warriors are sitting third with 10 wins and 3 losses in a top four that has a bit of space between them and the rest of the competition. However, that does not guarantee a top-four finish by season's end, and the Warriors will have to keep their foot down and keep those wins coming.

While there are still areas to refine, such as tightening up defence and maintaining discipline under pressure, the Warriors have shown remarkable consistency and resilience. With the rise of young stars like Leka Halasima and Demitric Vaimauga and new recruits like Erin Clark performing in career-best form, I am confident that the Warriors have got what it takes to be in the discussion as premiership contenders.

Looking at the second half of the season, there are 12 rounds to go and the Warriors have one bye remaining; they are in a strong position to control their own fate. They have six home games left, which is a great chance to build momentum in front of their fans. Five games will be away, but only three of their remaining matchups are against teams currently in the top eight. They’ll also play the last-placed Titans twice. However, the Titans have a habit of lifting against the Warriors, so those games are anything but guaranteed.

As I’ve said before, the NRL ladder is extremely tight this season, and a couple of poor performances could quickly knock the Warriors down the table. That said, this year’s squad has shown a lot of heart and looks like a settled, unified group. They’ve continued to improve weekly and are well on track for a top-four finish—maybe even a shot at the minor premiership if they can get the job done against the Bulldogs in Round 23. Come finals time, their goal-line defence and discipline could really trouble a few sides. The sky’s the limit in 2025, as long as they stay grounded and keep focusing on week-to-week improvement. It’s a great time to be a Warriors fan.

Update on Brad's Player of the Year Standings

After every match, I have been rating the top three Warriors with a Dally M 3,2,1 points system; I have been slack in sharing the updates this season, so I will include the update here.

Fourteen players have received points so far this season, and below are the top eight scorers. Erin Clark sits at the top with 13 points, only a point ahead of Wayde Egan, with Chanrze Nicoll-Klokstad not far behind them. The players with points who didn't make the top eight were Chanel Harris-Tavita, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Taine Tuaupiki and Kurt Capewell on 3 points and James Fisher-Harris and Ali Leiataua on 2 points.

On the other hand, I also keep track of the players I pick each week who need to improve. We have had eight players make that list, with Luke Metcalf leading with two selections. The rest, with only one selection so far, are Charnze Nicoll-Klostad, Adam Pompey, Marata Niukore, Rocco Berry, Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Leka Halasima. I have also had a no player selected to improve four times this season.

Next Round's Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 16, the Warriors return home to face the Panthers, who also enjoyed a bye in Round 15.

Regarding the team I would pick, I would keep the same side that played against the Sharks, with the exception of bringing Rocco Berry into the centres for Kurt Capewell, giving him a rest after playing Origin in Perth. I would also bring Wayde Egan back into hooker, with Sam Healey taking Te Maire Martins' spot on the interchange.

The Panthers have been one of the season’s biggest surprises, but not in a good way. After years of setting the benchmark, they've fallen well short of the high standards they’ve established over the past five seasons. However, despite some disappointing performances, they’re beginning to climb back up the ladder and now sit just outside the top eight.

I’ve already ruled them out as genuine premiership contenders, but writing them off from making the finals would be premature. This team is still capable of flipping the switch and going on a run at any time. Coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed he won’t be playing his Origin stars, with the travel from Perth to Auckland and a short turnaround making it too challenging. That gives the Warriors a clear advantage, especially at home. But they'll still need to be switched on, come in with the wrong attitude, and they risk being on the wrong end of an upset.

To win, the Warriors just need to stick with what’s worked in recent rounds: control the middle, target the edges, and keep things simple. It’s basic but effective. I’m confident they’ll get the job done again and make it three wins in a row, this time by 16.

So that was my mid-season review, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Who has been your player of the year to date?

Who is your player that needs to improve the most?

Where do you see the Warriors finishing on the ladder?

What are your best and worst games for the Season so far?

What is your score prediction against the Panthers?