League: Defence maestro brings changes for Warriors

Justin Morgan. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New defensive coach Justin Morgan realises he faces a big task in improving the Warriors' tackling, but hopes a shift in attitude and mindset will make the world of difference next year.

The former Warriors, Raiders and Eels forward comes on board as one of Andrew McFadden's assistants after two years as Craig Bellamy's defensive coach at Melbourne Storm.

Morgan is looking to revamp the Warriors' defensive structure, but believes the biggest gains will come if he can raise the player's enthusiasm for tackling to equal their talent and ability with the ball in hand.

"We all know how good a team they can be with the football, the challenge now is backing that up and getting equally excited about tackling and defending," he said.

"I'll sit down with the other coaches and nut out what systems are best for us based on the personnel that we have, and what's going to be best for the Warriors to make us a force to be reckoned with.

"There's going to be some challenges in getting that right system, there's going to be challenges in ensuring that the players buy in with the right attitude, but ultimately that's what I'm going to be there for."

Morgan is confident that positive changes can be made swiftly, noting the rapid transformation of the Brisbane Broncos, who went from an eighth-place finish last year to grand finalists this season.

"The Broncos are a really good example because they most probably didn't change their system a great deal in the past 12 months," he said.

"The main thing that's changed with them is their attitude towards defence. And the reason they are successful is because of their attitude.

"It's a hard thing to coach, attitude, but if you can put enough things in place and players can get equally excited about defence as they can attack, I'm pretty sure we'll be on the right path."

Morgan's appointment is seen as a coup for the Warriors, and his departure surprised the Storm, who viewed the 40-year-old as a leading candidate to eventually succeed Bellamy as head coach.

The Warriors present him with a fresh challenge, and while he is eager to impart his knowledge and share some of the Storm's secrets, he realises not all ideas are transferable between the two clubs.

"It was a big call to leave but I was really sold on what Jim (Doyle) and Cappy (McFadden) put to me about where the club is going.

"The Warriors are a different animal to the Storm in terms of their style and what they're good at. So part of the challenge for me will be bringing some of the strengths that the Storm have and being able to implement those values or systems into a different environment.

"But at the same time I need to be conscious that the Warriors have their own DNA. We have to make sure we don't stifle that DNA and make sure we get the best of both worlds."