Offload - Issue 3, 2007

Humbling Loss Reveals Hidden Insights

The Warriors have an opportunity to bounce back against the Manly Sea Eagles this weekend after stumbling against one of the early form teams of 2007 in Melbourne last week. The Auckland-based franchise were simply outclassed by last year's Minor Premiers, and the result was essentially decided inside the first twenty minutes.

But Warriors fans can take heart from their team's turnaround. Coach Ivan Cleary recognised the need for a bit of extra power in the forwards, and brought Epalahame Lauaki onto the field, moved lock Simon Mannering to centre, Lance Hohaia to standoff, and Michael Witt was shifted to the bench. Even though Witt returned to the field at a later stage, the initial changes solidified the team and the defense against a very elusive Melbourne Storm backline.

If nothing else, this positional switch proved that Cleary isn't afraid to recognise when the initial game plan isn't working, and that he is prepared to make the big calls during the game. It also highlights his ability to read the game, to analyse where the team's strengths and weaknesses are, and to decide what needs to be done to bolster the side where it is needed.

Too many coaches would have stood back and thrown their hands up in frustration after conceding almost a point a minute early on, but once Cleary had changed his tactics, the points scored thereafter totalled a narrow 16-10 lead in favour of the Storm.

An interesting aspect of the match against the Storm was the statistics. They usually tell a fairly conclusive story, but in that match, the Warriors were either on par or had the upper hand in almost every department, including metres gained and penalties conceded. Errors were made by both sides, but those committed by Warriors players proved to be at more crucial times, and ultimately proved to be more costly. Cleary will be aware of this, and will have drilled the appropriate concentration and tactics into his side.

The Manly Sea Eagles will witness firsthand just how much of a turnaround the Warriors have been able to make on the training ground during the week.

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.

Offload - Issue 1, 2007

Warriors Look Impressive While New Coaches Have Mixed First Round

The 2007 season of the NRL is well and truly about fresh starts. With the Gold Coast Titans entering the fray for the first time, numerous players have scattered far and wide to find new teams, new homes, and new contracts. But another group of people have been spinning the turnstiles into overdrive in the off season: coaches. Of the sixteen teams contesting the Premiership, only half have retained their head coaches from the previous season. The other eight, comprising of the Eels, Knights, Sharks, Roosters, Titans, Rabbitohs, Raiders, and Panthers, have a fresh face at the helm, and after one round they have brought about mixed results.

Only the Knights, (25-24 over the Bulldogs), the Sharks, (18-0 over the Panthers), and the Rabbitohs, (18-6 over the Roosters), were victorious in their first non-trial game under the helm of new coaches, but it is far too early to predict how these teams might fare throughout a full 25-round competition.

However, it could be said that the added stability that other teams have could count in their favour. Warriors captain Steve Price cited this steadiness as a contributing factor to the club’s opening 34-18 victory over the Eels.

With greater depth in the squad and a more believable desire to put together genuinely solid performances, the Warriors are already looking like potential top eight material. And with an even starting position in 2007, they are already six points ahead of where they were this time last year.

The game day experience has also improved, with local band The Black Seeds entertaining the crowd shortly after the Auckland Lions ran out 27-8 victors over the Paramatta Eels Premier League team. A three hundred member kapa haka group performed to a respectfully silent crowd who soaked in the impressive display, and fireworks were set off above the Eastern Stand shortly before the two teams took to the field.

All of these things are contributing to the atmosphere of seeing a game live at Mt Smart Stadium – an atmosphere that has waned over recent years.

With better performances on the field, and better entertainment off it, the Warriors are working hard to win back fans. A sizeable crowd for their round two match against reigning Premiers the Broncos would be just desserts for a solid pre-season from the players and staff alike.