League: Experts back Warriors to go all the way

Commentator Ben Ikin says the return of Stacey Jones could provide the Warriors the confidence they need to win the NRL premiership. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Richie Barnett has "a feeling" and Ben Ikin says the Warriors can "definitely" win the NRL in 2009. Michael Brown looks at what makes these two so excited and what is needed for the Warriors to claim that elusive premiership at their 15th attempt.

1. HEALTHY SQUAD
It's the luck of the draw here.

Manly went through the season largely unscathed and had few players called up for State of Origin duty, meaning they were able to field their best players most of the time and maintain momentum through the season.

The Warriors weren't so lucky in 2008. Fullback Wade McKinnon missed most of last season with a serious knee injury and, as well as Lance Hohaia did filling in, the Warriors missed his spark at the back. And they also lost captain Steve Price for eight games and Manu Vatuvei for 10.

Injuries are part and parcel of the game and, while clubs can't prepare for that, they can alleviate the problem by having depth in their squad.

This is one area the Warriors have improved markedly. After years of lacking quality and depth in the halves, they now have Stacey Jones, Nathan Fien, Joel Moon, Aaron Heremaia, Liam Foran, Issac John and Daniel O'Regan battling it out for two spots.

Aidan Kirk, Malo Solomona and Patrick Ah Van also provide decent back-up on the wing if Vatuvei or Denan Kemp fall over.

Verdict: As mysterious as a deep-sea vampire squid but depth is good.

2. QUALITY IN KEY POSITIONS
It's a commonly held view that teams need quality at 1, 6, 7 and 9 and a smattering of good players throughout the team.

For the first time in a long time, the Warriors can genuinely say they fulfil this requirement.

In Wade McKinnon (1) and Ian Henderson (9), they have one of the best fullbacks and hookers in the competition.

Nathan Fien proved his abilities at halfback for both the Warriors and Kiwis at the back end of last season and Joel Moon, the former Broncos centre who will start the season at five-eighths, is considered a player of great promise.

And then there's Stacey Jones. Even if Jones doesn't play too often, his presence will push others to perform and his experience and knowledge will also improve self-confidence within the squad.

The Warriors also have quality players across the park from Steve Price, Micheal Luck and Simon Mannering in the pack to Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati and Manu Vatuvei out wide.

"The Warriors have key players across the park," says former Kiwis fullback Richie Barnett.

"They have a good combination of size and speed now, and you need that to compete against Manly and Melbourne."

Verdict: Above average

3. EXPERIENCED COACH

A coach can't do much when the players cross the white line but they are instrumental in success. Premiership-winning sides usually have an experienced coach who understands what it takes to win big games.

Ivan Cleary is seen as a coach of great potential but 2009 is only his fourth year as an NRL coach.

Crucially, he has the respect of his players and played in a lot of big games throughout his career. Last year he showed he knew how to get the Warriors to the preliminary final before they ran into the Manly juggernaut and he got them up for their upset win over the Storm in Melbourne in the first round of the playoffs.

"Ivan is the best young coach coming through but he is still learning his trade and has a way to go to be the coach everybody expects he will become," says former Queensland and Australian representative-turned-commentator Ben Ikin. "In five years, he's going to be twice as good."

Verdict: Pass

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY:
Ben Ikin: "Top four, definitely, and they are good enough to win it. They have good depth and a squad which will be confident already after what happened at the end of last year. The return of Stacey Jones could be the last piece in the puzzle. He is one of the best players of the last decade and he knows how to win. He will give the side even more confidence and confident teams normally play twice as good."

Richie Barnett: "I have a feeling this year could be the one and I've never had this feeling with the Warriors before. They have been developing this side for a few years and I have no doubt they have the team to win the competition. They have good players in key positions and good competition for places and their off-season buys have been perfect. I just don't see any weaknesses."