Offload - Issue 2, 2007

Cleary’s Crew Makes It Two From Two

The Warriors made club history when they beat the Broncos 24-14 on Sunday, the first time the club has won both of its first two matches in a season. They sit fourth on the table, one of only six teams undefeated in 2007, alongside the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm and Knights.

After two rounds in 2006, the Warriors were eight competition points off the lead, but one year later it is only point differential that prevents them from sitting in first place. The strong start is evidence of coach Ivan Cleary’s impressive start in his second year as a first grade coach, ignoring the much talked about ‘second year syndrome’.

Another who appears to be performing well in his second season in the top grade is 2006 Dally M Rookie of the Year nominee Grant Rovelli. The 24-year-old halfback has guided the team effectively behind a forward pack that has dominated its opposition. With freedom to roam, and time to plan, the halfback has averaged 1.5 try assists in his first two matches, twice that of his 2006 average.

That has helped the team to average five tries and 29 points per match, compared to just over four tries and 23 points in 2006. Six points may not sound like much, but the Warriors lost five matches last season by that margin or less. If they had won each of those matches, the team could have finished the regular season as high as fourth.

The ability to extract extra points from all aspects of the attacking formation seems to have officially arrived, with points being scored on both flanks and in the centre. New recruits Michael Witt, Wade McKinnon, and Michael Crockett, have already proven their worth, claiming six of the ten tries scored so far. Crockett especially has excelled with regards to finding the try line, with four tries to his name. He has shown a lot of pace – impressive for someone who has previously snapped a hamstring.

Defensive efforts have also improved across the board, and if captain Steve Price and vice captain Ruben Wiki continue to lead the way up front, the signs are positive for a season in which the Warriors are likely to return to the finals series.