I decided to make some changes here, so I wrote a match report that was released straight after the game finished. I will write a match report each week that will be posted the night of the game so keep an eye out for that each week. If you haven't checked it out, click on the link below.
So that was a more positive Round 4, and as usual, I will leave you with some questions.
What did you think of the spines' first game together?
Would you keep the same 17 for Round 5?
Did you have a player to improve?
What is your score prediction against the Cowboys?
My Match Report
Let's get back to my review.
My optimism was low after that last performance, but it got a boost during the week when Shaun Johnson was named to play. There were a few other changes before kickoff too, with Rocco Berry and Aaron Pene pulling out with Berry sick and Pene injured. This saw Ed Kosi coming onto the wing with Adam Pompey moving to the centres, while Ben Murdoch-Masila came onto the bench. The Warriors started the match quickly, scoring in the first five minutes and never looked in doubt for almost the entire game. Their forwards were all over a Broncos side that lacked discipline and respect for the ball. Almost everything that has concerned me about the Warriors so far this season was improved; still a long way to go, of course, but at least it looks like they could be heading in the right direction.
I will admit that I was worried about the backline changes, Kosi showed his inexperience last season, and I have talked at length about how I don't see Pompey as a first-grade centre, but they both played well; Kosi was solid running the ball and had a few big moments on defence including a massive hit on Herbie Farnworth. Pompey also had a good afternoon; he kept Kotoni Staggs quiet and created some opportunities for Marcelo Montoya on the wing with some Hiku like flick passes.
Overall it just feels great to talk about a good win, and I have my fingers crossed for more of this in the future.
I enjoyed quite a bit about this performance, which leads to my positives from the match.
Match Positives
As a former front-rower, I am biased, but I loved the effort from the props this week; the Warriors always play better when their big men are getting the job done in the middle. The three main contributors were Addin Fonua-Blake (196m), Matt Lodge (175m) and Bunty Afoa (97m). Ben Murdoch-Masila was injured, so he did not get a lot of minutes, but he averaged 10m a carry, so he did his part while he was able. The Warriors need this effort week in and week out from the big boppers to keep their spot in the top eight.
Nathan Brown and the coaching staff adjusted the game plan, and it worked wonders, gone was the constant looking for second phase football and front-rowers looking to throw short balls instead of bending the line, and in its place were hard runs up the middle of the field before shifting wide. It's a simple game plan, but it works when you have size up the middle and an experienced half that can direct the attack. The expansive style relies heavily on confidence, and that's something the Warriors don't have right now, so after a few solid performances together, we may see that style sneak back in with better success.
Lastly, the return of Johnson, this side just looks and performs so much better with him out there. I mentioned it briefly when asked why I gave SJ the third spot in my Warriors of the round (behind AFB and Reece Walsh), but I explained that there were several times when momentum looked to be swinging in the Bronco's favour, and you could see Johnson out there talking and settling the side and keeping them focused. The side did not look confused or lost, and as long as he keeps that up, I will be more confident in the Warrior's chances every week. This is that leadership that has been missing that I discussed last week.
However, it wasn't a perfect performance, which brings me to my negatives from the game.
Match Negatives
The edge defence has been the Warrior's most significant weakness this season, but they were able to shut down Farnworth and Staggs for most of the match. Missed tackles still concern me; they missed 31 in this match, but there was better decision-making, and keeping the Broncos to only one try is fantastic, especially when that try was a piece of solo brilliance from Adam Reynolds. More welcomed signs, and hopefully, it means that missed tackles will soon disappear from my negatives sections.
Errors are a current issue for many teams, with eight other sides making more errors than the Warriors so far. The Warriors did reduce their errors, making only 10 this week, but they are still too high for my liking. I expect the error rate to continue to drop with the new game plan, and it will need to as the Warriors begin a run of tough challenges from Round 6 against sides that will punish them for each dropped ball.
Lastly, after a promising start, the Warrior's attack still lacked. They were held tryless in the second half but did have a few shots down the edges. It was the first game with the preferred spine, and I liked what I saw; they just need time to build cohesion. Once they are all comfortable in their roles and with each other, watch the points start to flow. Johnson and Walsh will be a joy to watch play together every week.
Warrior of the Match
My Warrior of the match goes to Addin Fonua-Blake. AFB was a monster in this game with his 197 running metres, 26 tackles with no misses and zero errors.
Having SJ return and help in the leadership department allowed AFB to take some pressure off, and you saw it in his improved performance. He is one of the top front-rowers in the game right now, running for the most metres by any forward to date this year and second only to Payne Haas in post-contact metres. I loved that he has re-signed with the club already, and if he keeps playing at this level, he will go down as one of the Warrior's best forwards ever.
Warrior to Improve
I couldn't pick a Warrior to improve this week, they all impressed me, and some did not get the required minutes to review their performance.Next round thoughts and prediction
Round 5 sees the Warriors stay in Redcliffe to face the Cowboys, who, after starting the season strong, came crashing back to earth with a humbling 28-4 defeat to the Roosters in Round 4. They will be looking for a bounceback here, so it will be a tough matchup for the Warriors.
I would keep the squad the same here; jazz Tevaga is set to be suspended for at least two weeks, so in his absence, I would move Josh Curran back to lock and bring Eliesa Katoa back to the second row.
If the Warriors can build on the platform, they set in Round 4, getting the forwards rolling up the middle it will allow Johnson the time and space needed to get his backline into scoring positions as well as some more work on their defensive structures then they should make it three in a row.
Optimistic Brad is back, so I am picking the Warriors to win this match by 16.
What did you think of the spines' first game together?
Would you keep the same 17 for Round 5?
Did you have a player to improve?
What is your score prediction against the Cowboys?
This post first appeared on Nz Warriors 2017 Season Preview : Above The Line - The Kearney Era Begins, please read the originial post: here
