2019 Preview: Warriors

Josh Robertson looks at how the Warriors will look to move on with life after Shaun Johnson in our penultimate 2019 NRL club preview.

The Warriors - a team that promises you the world but delivers you an atlas - will go into 2019 with a total refresh and new faces leading the attack. In 2018, the men from the Shaky Isles started the season again promising a lot, with an undefeated start through the opening five rounds before a slide down the ladder saw them looking over their shoulders towards the end of the season.

Last season was considered to be a success for the Warriors despite their mid-season slump and first week finals exit, with the top eight qualification earning them their finals appearance since 2014. They spent not one week of the NRL season outside the top eight, and as mentioned the NZ-based side were one of the competitions form teams during many parts of the season. The story began to turn mid-season though, and was compounded with a humiliating 32-point loss to a under-strength Penrith. The story of the Warriors came to a surprising twist at the end of the year, with the announcement that star halfback Shaun Johnson was headed to Australia, granted a release and signing with Cronulla.

The Warriors will be desperate to shoot out of the blocks much like their 2018 season, where they came away with at least eight wins within the first 12 rounds. They'll get every chance to replicate that start this year with four of their first six games being played on the shores of Aotearoa - with three home games and an 'away' game in Christchurch against Manly.

Deeper into the season, they'll have consistent travel between Australia and New Zealand during the middle part of the season, only having back-to-back home games twice - in Rounds 11 & 13, which areseparated by a bye, then again in Rounds 20 & 21. The Warriors' run to the finish line ends with some tricky football - featuring clashes against the Roosters, Cronulla and Canberra away from home, and a home game against Souths.

The Warriors have been busy in the transfer market looking to fill the void of some key losses namely in Shaun Johnson and the retiring Simon Mannering. Coming the other way, they've signed experience Dragons forward Leeson Ah Mau along with rookie half Adam Keighran, who was a star for the Panthers reserve grade side last year.

Why they'll win it

The Warriors are the team that could blow you away by 50 on the days they decide to turn up - and if Dally-M winner Roger Tuivasa-Sheck plays the way he did in 2018 then the Warriors can be a tough side to beat. They possess both strength and speed on the outside flanks, and this is another key to their chances in 2019.

Why they won't

Because they're the Warriors. Seriously though, they've lost a key player in Johnson and will require a rookie half to start the season and to control the side on its way to victory. As mentioned they are a side that could win on any day by a big margin but as seen in seasons prior, they can also lose the unexpected by the same margins as well. Ultimately, it's the mind-set and the depth that could hurt the New Zealanders in 2019.

2019 Draw

Key player - Blake Green

Already in the veteran category, Blake Green's role will take on added importance for the Warriors with him taking on the senior role in the halves for the Warriors this season. 32-year-old Green will be put with a rookie whether it be Adam Keighran or Chanel Harris-Tavita - who are each yet to play an NRL game in their career. Green's experience will also be key for a Warriors side that is lacking experience in the big clashes, and arguably any potential loss of Green during the season could leave coach Stephen Kearney with a huge gulf in experience.

Rookies to watch

Having a whole country to choose from sets the Warriors up for big expectations when it comes to developing their rookies. However, the focus for the Warriors could be the development of Adam Keighran - who, as mentioned previously - comes to the Warriors with no NRL experience and could be leading them in the halves this season. The other key rookie is Chanel Harris-Tavita who is the other key contender for the halfback role. The Warriors will also look to rookie centre Patrick Herbert to make a difference, who's come across from the Dragons with Ah Mau.

Player movements

Gains: Leeson Ah Mau, Patrick Herbert (Dragons), Lachlan Burr (Bulldogs), Adam Keighran (Panthers)

Losses: Anthony Gelling (Widnes), Mason Lino, James Gavet (Knights), Shaun Johnson (Sharks), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders), Joseph Vuna (released), Simon Mannering (retired)

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