Graham Lowe: Warriors need tough Luck

Michael Luck has often been used as a battering ram by the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

I can't help thinking as the Warriors battle to get out of a two-match losing streak that they could do with a lot more luck.

Not the kind of luck that comes from rabbit's feet or four-leaf clovers - but the luck found in the No 13 jersey in the heart of the Warriors' forward pack.

Micheal Luck, that is. Because right now, the Queensland-born-and-bred forward is by far the standout player for his adopted Auckland club.

In 2007, I picked the lightweight looseforward as a State of Origin contender and he made it into the Queensland squad as 18th man without getting a run. This year I am prepared to go one further and say that he should be in an Australian jersey for the Anzac Test match against the Kiwis next month.

The 26-year-old, 97kg Luck is the epitome of an Australian forward - busy, brave and brimful of energy.

For me, he is consistently the Warriors' best player. There's no such thing as a backward step for Luck who, in my view, is too often used as a battering ram to take on the defensive line.

Such is his courage that you often have to avert your eyes as Luck heads for the next collision with no regard for his personal safety. Indeed, it's said that the hit Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi put on him a couple of weeks ago measured more than 13 Gs of force (a Formula One driver under hard braking experiences five Gs of force).

That's enough to turn out the lights in the Sydney Opera House - let alone a banana bender carting the footie up on a league paddock.

Luck gave a typically whole-hearted performance on Sunday, making 38 tackles without a miss. With 150 NRL games under his belt, it looks likely that the next major milestone he will pass for the club is to head off the legendary Kevin Campion's tally of stitches in his head.

While the Warriors could do worse than get on the phone to see if Micheal Luck has any brothers who play the game, it's fair to say that Lady Luck (as opposed to Micheal) has not been on their side so far this season.

Despite the two successive losses,

I am still confident they are genuine title contenders but they do need a couple of things to fall their way.

The luck they have received in their first four games (particularly with injuries) has been all bad and there is not much that can be done about that.

While injuries are making an impact, there is still a good depth of talent in the club.

But the subject of depth raises another sore point for me.

I feel depth in attack is one critical area letting the Warriors down at present. Quite simply, it is far easier to defend against a flat attack than it is against a surge of options coming from positions wide out and deep.

I'd imagine this has been made clear to the players but fatigue tends to make a player forget.

Fullback Wade McKinnon consistently looks dangerous bursting through as a support player because he is coming from a deep position. But after dominating field position in Souths' red zone on Sunday, the Warriors did themselves no favours because they lacked the attacking depth that is required to change angles and hold up defensive lines.

Australian rules is a totally different game from league. But it was that game's greatest coach who gave me a piece of advice I have never forgotten and always believed in.

The former North Melbourne coach Ron Barassi was a legend and his coaching psychology played an enormous role in Australian sport.

I once asked him what he thought was the most important part of any game and he said without any hesitation:"Space for the person carrying the ball."

I was surprised because the reputation that went before him seemed to be totally focused on his belief that defence was solely responsible for winning games.

However, while he didn't deny this, he thought his game of Aussie Rules was becoming too fixated on that aspect of the game and was ignoring the equally important role of the attacking options, and in particular the space that needs to be created for any attack.

He said to me, "In your game they call it depth and room in attack."

His wisdom wouldn't go amiss in today's NRL with a few clubs struggling to set their attack alight.

Watching the Rabbitohs snuff out a relentless barrage from the Warriors on Sunday has convinced me more than ever that Barassi was right.

To score tries, the tried and true method of bursting on to the ball needs reinvention.

The Warriors will know they spent enough time in the Rabbitohs' red zone during the second half of the match to win two games, but they were never deep enough in attack.

It is interesting to note that the Rabbitohs, Titans, Dragons and Broncos make up the top four. They look dangerous even at this very early stage of the season and one of the reasons is that they have great attacking options.



Manly are in big trouble and only an overhaul of their approach is going to get them back on track.

The Sea Eagles' halfback Matt Orford is regarded by most as one of the best in the NRL, and on his day he has great control of his team's fortunes. However, it is not working for him at present and I think it is down to one thing. He is putting his receivers under enormous pressure with his flat passing game.

Orford is delivering hospital passes and because their second receiver is under so much pressure from the rushing defence, they just cannot get attacking momentum.

The Warriors are in a slightly different predicament because the ball is being shifted one or two passes wide, but to flat-footed players who then lack penetration.

Lance Hohaia is the player they desperately need back from injury because he has the acceleration to cause damage from a flat line. But even he is much more of a threat with depth to increase his options.

Even Stacey Jones needs extra depth to play with now, because in a flat line he simply has nowhere to go.

Although it may not do Warriors coach Ivan Cleary's blood pressure much good, a little more risk from his players could also help to create an attacking threat. I think the biggest risk is not to take one.

Maybe a borrowed motto from the SAS could help their cause: "Who Dares Wins."