KEY POINTS:
Graham Lowe once said, "finding a champion is like walking along a beach kicking stones over looking for diamonds. That's how hard it is."
The Warriors have kicked over a number of stones in their search for a top halfback and gathered up a number of objects in
the hope one of them will be a gem.
The recent additions of Liam Foran and Aaron Heremaia, on top of the stocks they already have in Grant Rovelli, Isaac John, Michael Witt and possibly even Nathan Fien if he sees out the final year of his contract, is a sign the Warriors are desperate to find a top-quality halfback.
To be genuine NRL contenders, teams need a class No 7 to guide their team-mates around the park and pull out the big plays with a game on the line.
There aren't many around in the game today and the ones that exist - the Johnathan Thurstons, Cooper Cronks, Matt Orfords, Scott Princes and Peter Wallaces - are normally locked in to long contracts so rival clubs can't get their mitts on them.
That's why the Warriors have pursued the tactic they have. They've sought a decent player and thought they had him in Casey McGuire before they were cut off at the pass by Les Catalans.
They then thought they had found what they were looking for in Mathew Head. However, instead of signing an adequate player, yet one who isn't going to make a critical difference, they decided to try their luck with a youngster or virtual unknown.
By their own reckoning there was no point throwing money at someone who wasn't the answer.
Instead, they took a punt on a top junior in the hope he would become a household name - and while they could still afford him. The hope, rather than expectation, is that Foran in particular will turn out to be the diamond they are looking for.
While it might seem overkill to have so many halfbacks, the money they are spending on them all would roughly be the equivalent of one top-class No 7.
The good thing for the Warriors is that if their approach fails, all of them will be off contract at the end of next season (Heremaia is only on trial) so they won't have players who will be a drain on the salary cap.
This would mean they could throw money at an Orford, who is also off contract next season, or even a Todd Carney.
Carney, of course, is a risk. His track record off the pitch is shameful but, if he can keep out of trouble over the next 12 months while playing in the Super League, the Warriors will be just one of a handful of clubs who will try to lure him back to the NRL.
He's likely to sign only a one-year deal to play in the UK - the NRL has banned him for one season - and has signalled his intention to return downunder after serving his penance.
The Warriors will also rate their chances of curbing Carney's obvious social failings. They might hope the 22-year-old will be a reformed man away from Sydney and the distractions nine NRL clubs present. He might also benefit from the presence of seasoned Australian professionals in the likes of Steve Price and Brent Tate.
With an elusive NRL title at stake, they might see Carney as worth the risk. He is unquestionably a good player and the Warriors need someone like him at halfback. It might not get to that however. They might discover Foran is what they are looking for. Or Heremaia. Or Rovelli. Or John. Or Fien.
