Warriors mid season report

Ok, we are 13 rounds into a 25 round season. This is where I see the Warriors at the half way point and things are not looking good.

After winning 4 from the first 7, things have turned to custard in the form of a 6 game losing streak. They are currently equal last with 3 other teams. Here are a few reasons why.

The halves are average. Rovelli, Witt and Ropati have all been playing ‘OK’. But none of them has been able to own the attack and direct the plays. They were rudderless against Melbourne.

The back row is average. Aside from Luck, the stand out tackler, Swann, Lauaki, Anderson have offered little. We expect at least on of these players to be able to throw a few passes.

The centres are average – Simon Mannering is ineffective at centre. Tony Martin has been better but has little to offer on attack. Lance Hohaia is also poor at centre – he belongs in the halves. The performance of the centres is mirrored by the wingers who have been starved of possession.

Poor discipline – too many turnovers, have resulted in the Warriors making a ridiculous number of tackles. Not to mention the silly penalties and the crazy action of Wade McKinnon when he pushed a ref.

All up the Warriors have been average – not bad, but clearly not so good either.

So can they turn it around? As in previous seasons, the line about a few consecutive wins getting us back into the top 8 may be true, but actually doing it will prove difficult.

Coach Ivan Cleary has challenges ahead. Does he keep the faith with the players he’s been using? Or does he drop players who are not performing?

His options are limited though – there are apparently some players in Premier League who could make the step up such as Sonny Fai. He could switch Jerome Ropati to either lock or maybe centre, and stick Hohaia at stand off to partner Witt in the halves.

Whatever the case he needs to do something. 6 straight losses is testament to that.