Graham Lowe: The Warriors' condition is not terminal

It may only just be spring, but already the 2005 NRL pain is over for some. It's time for several clubs to retrieve their wounded and let the recovery period begin.

Fortunately, the Warriors' symptoms do not appear terminal. Their condition could best be described as serious but stable.

Professionalism and consistency are what the club needs in major doses. There are a few options open to the Cullen board when looking for a cure. A quick fix is not one of them.

Mick Watson's departure will be seen by some as a blessing. I share the sentiment, and only hope he is not trying to run the place from a secret office. Bring in the new man quickly.

I got the impression Watson tried a heavy approach, but in league terms the bloke was a lightweight.

He arrived with little experience in how or what makes a league team or club tick, and it showed in many of his decisions.

The club has lost touch with the league family in New Zealand. That should not be too difficult to cure - a bit of transparency will go a long way to fixing that.

There is now an opportunity to get the club back to full health. But fans can only hope that the fix-it men are working on the right areas.

The club's latest signing doesn't inspire great confidence. I was surprised to hear of North Queensland second-rower Michael Luck's signing. Honest trier though he is, he's not the sort of player the club needs right now.

Second-rowers of his class are a dime a dozen in New Zealand.

If it has been identified that Luck is the type of player needed, then it is luck they will definitely need.

The coaching is another difficult problem, not least because of the available options.

Tony Kemp was handed a poisoned chalice when he took the job. He has given his best but it hasn't been good enough.

While the team rarely played to their potential, he is kidding himself if he believes they have improved under his coaching.

Assistants Ivan Cleary and Kevin Campion could be considered, and development boss John Ackland has impressive local credentials.

All the current NRL coaches are tied to contracts. But only a few of them have what it takes to coach the Warriors anyhow.

The Warriors present unique challenges.

These include nurturing the relationship between the NZRL and the club, and the sometimes sensitive cultural issues that can arise from a Polynesian player base.

The Warriors' coach is the focus of the game in New Zealand. This brings extra pressure to the job and can lead to a siege mentality.

An Australian coach would need to operate with a "when in Rome do as the Romans do" mentality.

An experienced man would bring his own structure to refresh the place. This is sorely needed, even if Kemp or one of his assistants gets the nod.

The current organisation is in need of an overhaul, starting with a reduction in the number of people with "coach" in their titles.

When you look closely, it appears there is no straightforward answer to the coaching appointment.

Whatever happens, there's bound to be some long faces round Ericsson after the decision is made.

Equally important is the appointment of the new chief executive.

There are arguments both ways on whether this person should have a football brain with business ability or commercial nous and a love of league.

One of the most important ingredients has to be the CEO's personality, because it is such a challenging position that it requires a range of skills far different to most other businesses.

I can't recall a season more difficult to pick a grand final winner.

I'm very impressed with the way Eels coach Brian Smith has taken the shackles off his team and allowed their attack to develop.

A grand final between the Eels and St George/Illawarra would be a mouth-watering way to finish the season.

But it's the Tigers who could provide the fairytale finish. That's as long as New Zealand's Benji Marshall stays injury-free.

Because of his flamboyant attacking style, the Tigers have gone from a boring bash-and-barge team to an excitement machine.

Coach Tim Sheens has recognised Marshall's talent and has done the right thing in allowing his team to just let it happen.

The Broncos are in trouble and coach Wayne Bennett needs a master stroke like never before.

Unless they are prepared to alter their attack I can't see them enjoying the ride much further.

Injuries have killed them but their current style is not what gained them their formidable reputation.

For some reason they have turned into a one-off-the-ruck outfit.

The Cowboys have the cheek and the firepower to do some damage and I wouldn't be surprised if they shorten in the odds.

I have a theory that I will discuss in next week's column, about how this grand final could be won.

Because there is little between the sides, the team who come up with something different could produce the upset.