Warriors players look dejected during their loss to the Dragons in Hamilton back in May. Photo / Photosport.
With yet another disappointing Warriors campaign drawing to a close, Chris Rattue hands out some alternative end-of-season awards.
Shaun Johnson gets the nod - that's how bad things have got. Erratic? Yes. Central to the problems? Possibly. But at least he can make boring-ball mildly interesting to watch.
Kieran Foran used the club to get his life back in order, then scarpered for the Bulldogs. Thanks awfully, Kieran.
No award this year. There wasn't anything promising about the Warriors this season.
Simon Mannering (he now gets to keep the trophy).
Owner Eric Watson became the chairman early last year, and quit the job this year. Huh?
Outgoing CEO and incoming chairman Jim Doyle found hope during the current eight game losing streak: "There are different levels of disappointment - our biggest loss this year is by 16 points. In the past we've lost by 40."
These may not be the numbers which count most, but Johnson is near the top of the NRL try assist ladder, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck likewise in all run metres, and Mannering will finish the season as the second top tackler in the NRL. Mind you, Mannering is wearing himself out trying to cover all the cracks.
"I hold Melbourne very, very dear to my heart" - departing Aussie Ryan Hoffman, as the Warriors hurtled towards a record losing streak.
Johnson and Foran couldn't speak highly enough of each other. No other NRL pairing came close - a rare victory for the club.
Against Parramatta, in April, with Foran - in just his second game - getting virtually all the credit. "Suddenly the Warriors are a far different proposition" one writer enthused. Parramatta turned out to be a pretty good side. Most of the Warriors' other scant wins were against duds.
Famous old coach Graham Lowe opined: "They have never quite got the jigsaw puzzle right. They have to make sure you have a coach who will get the players to play better than they think they can play."
Goes to those loyal (although dwindling) number of supporters at Mt Smart Stadium, for sticking with this mob. Yes, that's what supporters should do. But they have endured a lot over the years.
On the surface, the Warriors draw for the 2025 season is quite kind