NRL: Battle lines drawn for playmaker's role

Ivan Cleary has rated Isaac John (centre) as one of the big improvers this off-season. Photo / Getty Images

Who will partner Brett Seymour in the halves? That is the major question the Warriors are out to answer over a three-match trials campaign that begins against the Roosters in Rotorua today.

It's debatable how much real trialling typically goes on during an NRL pre-season but, with the Warriors having adopted a new broom approach to their halfback resources, this year's trials will certainly involve some serious jostling for position among the club's wannabee playmakers.

Four of the five players entrusted with the playmaking duties heading into last season are no longer with the club. Retired legend Stacey Jones heads a list that includes Nathan Fien, Michael Witt and Liam Foran.

The sole survivor is Joel Moon, the player recruited from Brisbane to fill the five-eighth role but who spent much of last year trying to find his feet at his new club in the centres.

Coach Ivan Cleary has no problem anointing 101-game veteran Seymour as his main man.

Having finished last season strongly after returning to the number six jersey, Moon is favourite to partner him. But he will have stiff competition from new recruit James Maloney, budding star Shaun Johnson and fellow local product Isaac John, who was blooded late last season.

"Certainly Brett is looking like at this stage he is going to be the leader in the halves," Cleary said.

"I've been impressed with how he is training and how he is running the team around. I guess there are a number of guys who may partner him."

Entering his eighth first-grade season, Seymour is also a veteran hand, although his relatively low game tally speaks volumes about the alcohol-related off-field issues that have plagued his career.

Although he describes the previous phase of his career - which ended with Cronulla sacking him after video footage of him drunk outside a nightclub was aired on YouTube - as "wretched", Seymour said there was no risk attached to his recruitment as the club's primary playmaker.

"I don't think it is a risk at all," he said. "Things in my life have changed and they are going to stay like that until, y'know ... things are going along really well and I just want to worry about playing footie."

Another question is whether Seymour plays seven or six. But with the modern approach of splitting teams into left and right-sided units, the halves positions have become less defined, with the number on the player's back hardly mattering.

"There are a couple of ways we can play where seven and six play similarly but generally speaking [Seymour] will be the one calling the main shots," Cleary said.

Seymour isn't exactly fazed about which position he plays.

"I've spent probably 50-50 of my time in both," he said. "I spent a lot of time at six in Cronulla playing outside of Noddy [Brett Kimmorley] where we had a good partnership going. And at Brisbane I played a lot of halfback.

"I've had the best of both worlds. I've played under Ricky Stuart and with Alfie Langer and Darren Lockyer."

Seymour has spent plenty of time around the big guns then, but this is his first chance to be the man. It is an opportunity he is relishing.

"I'm happy to do whatever role coach wants but I want to be the leader."

Seymour isn't bothered who partners him. The key, he said, would be for the pair to strike up a solid working relationship.

With his long left-footed kick and dynamic running game, Moon will likely receive the first chance to bed-in with Seymour. While there may be question marks over their creativity, a Seymour-Moon combination would rate highly on the physicality stakes.

Both players are solid 90kg units who are well capable of busting tackles.

At just 81kg, Maloney is not of the same stature but the off-season recruit from Melbourne is rated an excellent kicker of the ball and a solid defender, capable of putting players into holes.

"I have come over here looking for an opportunity to play first grade so that is obviously my goal," Maloney said. "It is pretty much up to me. I've got to perform on the field to give Ivan the confidence to play me each week."

Of the local prospects, John auditioned for the five-eighth role last year and, while he certainly didn't disgrace himself, it's unlikely he did enough to feature too high up in the reckoning this season.

The real joker in the pack is Shaun Johnson, the 19-year-old former touch star who has attracted rave reviews for his performances in the NYC side.

A player with incredible attacking ability, Johnson is rated by some as the most exciting prospect the club has produced. There are, however, serious questions about his defence.

Johnson is comfortable with his rate of progress.

"I'm in no rush," he said. "I'm still learning. All the other halves are pretty experienced and I'm kind of like the new young kid on the block so I've got no expectations."

He should get a chance to impress today. Johnson, Seymour and Maloney have all been slated to appear against the Roosters, as has new propping recruit Jeremy Latimore and promising NYC star Elijah Taylor.

Steve Price is the only player not expected to feature in a pre-season that also includes a trip to North Queensland and a final hit out against Manly at North Harbour Stadium in a fortnight.

THE CONTENDERS:

ISAAC JOHN

Age: 21 Height: 1.82m
Weight: 86kg Previous clubs: Nil
Games: 3

Rated by Ivan Cleary as one of the big improvers this off-season, John will nonetheless likely find himself at the bottom of the pecking order. A solid junior, he performed adequately enough in a three-game first grade audition late last season. While he produced some nice touches, there was little to suggest he is a player the club might look to build its future around. Might see game time as a stop gap measure if injuries bite deep or Seymour blows up off the field.

JOEL MOON

Age: 21 Height: 1.86m
Weight: 90kg Previous clubs: Broncos
Games: 54

Recruited last season to fill the five-eighth role, Moon lost his grip on the six shirt early in the campaign. He did, however, make a better fist of it when he returned to the playmaking for the final few games after spending most of the season at centre. A running five-eighth, he also possesses a hefty left boot. Likely starter at five-eighth, with Seymour likely to slot into halfback. "He will get better and better," coach Ivan Cleary said. "One big plus is that he's got a really nice long kick and it is a left foot so it balances things up really nicely as well. Like the other boys he'll get an opportunity over the next few weeks."

JAMES MALONEY

Age: 23 Height: 1.76m
Weight: 81kg Previous clubs: Storm
Games: 4

A solid defender with a good kicking game, Maloney tasted first grade action with the Storm last year before being edged out of the reckoning when the club picked up Eels discard Brett Finch. At 23, it is make or break time for a player who crossed the ditch in search of regular first grade action. Likely first cab off the rank should Seymour get injured or Moon fail to settle in the six shirt. "Nothing too fancy – play plays, get forward and put people into holes," is how Maloney describes his game. "I'd like to think my defence is pretty strong for a half and I like to take the ball to the line and get the team going forward."

SHAUN JOHNSON

Age: 19 Height: 1.79m
Weight: 85kg Previous clubs: Nil
Games: 0

The jewel in the Warriors' junior ranks, Johnson enters 2010 on a full time first grade contract. But that doesn't mean the former touch star will see any first grade action. Still eligible for NYC, Johnson will almost certainly spend the bulk of the season honing his game – particularly his suspect defence – in the junior ranks. That said, if the club produces the turgid tripe that typified last season, the clamour for the youngster's introduction could become too loud to resist. For his part, Johnson believes he is ready. "I am getting there any way. I don't doubt my ability with the ball but there are two sides to the game and my defence is the area I really want to focus on. Once I get that sorted I should be all go." forward."

BRETT SEYMOUR

Age: 25 Height: 1.78m
Weight: 90kg Previous clubs: Broncos, Sharks
Games: 101

Still just 25, Seymour is entering his eighth NRL season. A solid, workmanlike player, he has largely played second fiddle at his previous clubs, where he teamed with Darren Lockyer in Brisbane and Brett Kimmorley at Cronulla. Sacked by both his previous clubs for alcohol-related incidents, Seymour is out to make a fresh start in Auckland. He will start the season as the club's premier playmaker but there are no doubts he is down to his last strike. "I have tasted a little bit of success at both Brisbane and Cronulla and I guess all NRL players strive to get to the finals and I expect no less here," he said.