NRL: Warriors need to clear fog, and fast

Cameron Smith's ability to apply pressure will ask questions of the Warriors' defence. Photo / Getty Images

A lot of sides are struggling to find themselves in the early rounds of the NRL - the Raiders, Titans, Roosters, Sharks and, yes, the Warriors are all struggling.

They're all trying hard but they're failing to convert their effort into wins.

The Warriors were outplayed by an extremely aggressive and smart Manly side last Saturday and they can expect more of the same when they play the Storm on Monday night.

Melbourne, the Dragons and Manly all play a similar way. They focus on winning the ruck first, using their wrestle to slow down the play-the-ball. Their linespeed pressures their opponent's attack, limits their yards and frustrates them into mistakes, ultimately taking them away from their game plan. Melbourne's kicking is first-class, with Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith applying yet more pressure and winning field position. They are relentless. They give away very little.

Not to mention the obvious talents of the Incredible Three - or is it seven these days? They have created a winning culture and are even more determined after last year's points deduction.

Many people thought the Storm would be weaker this year, but some good younger players have stepped up following the exodus of top-quality players such as Greg Inglis, Brett Finch and Brett White.

One of the big differences between the Warriors and those top sides is the ability to play right at the advantage line. The likes of Kieran Foran, Cronk and Darren Lockyer are masters at taking the ball to the line and challenging the defence. The Warriors just don't seem to have that ability. They tend to play well before the line.

Foran's ability to play right at the line caused all sorts of problems for the Warriors' right-hand side defence last week. He put them under huge decision-making pressure, forcing players like James Maloney and his surrounding defenders to make rash decisions that exposed the defence.

With Shaun Berrigan out, I'm happy to see Lewis Brown shift to the centres. Brown can play anywhere and he'll play well. He's been one of the Warriors' best this season without a doubt.

I don't feel the Warriors can play with the intention of just completing sets. They need to back their ability to play second phase, producing percentage offloads. They need to do what Manly did to them - bleed the Storm's energy levels.

If they don't they will be made to look second rate. There's no doubt they are struggling to find the right mix following injuries that have wiped out Manu Vatuvei, Glen Fisiiahi, Jerome Ropati and now Berrigan. They have been scrambling, putting players in different positions and the synergy has not yet been found.

Brett Seymour's recall will add another kicking option and some variation and it will mean there is less reliance on Feleti Mateo to work his magic. I also think the option of starting Ukuma Ta'ai would make the left edge more threatening, but for whom and when will be the question if they continue in the same vain.

If they can get through and find the mojo to win some games in the coming month, then the return of try-converters Vatuvei and Fisiiahi could provide the spark that is missing.

The bottom line is that they have to pull finger.