Probably not the ratings you’d expect to see overall after a 40-6 drubbing, but there were some genuinely impressive performers and encouraging signs as the Warriors went down to the premiers in their last Redcliffe home game.
1 REECE WALSH: Maximum effort and, like last week, a couple of errors – but far more came off for the livewire tonight. Very close to scoring twice – held up once after pushing onto an inside ball from Volkman and searing into space for the Warriors’ first line-break before being pulled down and losing the ball just short of the try-line – and laid on the team’s only try with a lovely short ball. Also had 118 metres on 13 runs, a team-high four tackle-breaks and forced a line dropout. 7.5
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Good under the high ball but absolutely embarrassed by rookie opposite Taylan May just before halftime, while he found it very difficult to make inroads carting the ball out of Warriors territory. A few more penetrative runs took his tally for the night to 87 metres from 12 runs. Boy that May miss was bad, though. 4.5
3 JESSE ARTHARS: Didn’t get many opportunities on attack but chipped in with 10 runs for 74 metres and had some great moments on defence, making 16 tackles (including one that forced an error from Kikau) and kept Tago quiet. 6
4 ADAM POMPEY: Couple of dangerous runs before injury forced him off 11 mintues in. 4
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: As usual, the Warriors’ busiest and most effective back-five ball-carrier with 15 runs for 126 metres (52 post-contact). Opposite To’o nabbed a double though he wasn’t to blame for either. 6
6 RONALD VOLKMAN: Very solid debut against a team of Penrith’s ilk. Didn’t show his hand too much in attack but had some classy touches – most notably an inside ball that almost produced a try for Walsh. Targeted defensively but stood tall with a mammoth 28 tackles and just three misses; he forced an error from Liam Martin to save an early try but the back-rower got the better of him to score in the second half. All in all, an encouraging NRL entry. 6
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: Arguably his best overall performance since the influential Round 4 display that sunk Brisbane, even if there wasn’t any genuine highlight moments. Kicked very well on the whole (including a forced dropout and several long kicks that earned a better result than modest sets deserved), a bit more lively in attack (though struggled to make a dent in the Panthers’ NRL-leading defence) and was superb defensively despite having Kikau and Luai frequently heading in his direction. If Fonzie hasn’t scared off the ill-informed ‘Drop SJ’ brigade yet, they will overemphasise a couple of disappointing good ball moments in the second half: one fourth-tackle kick that didn’t pay off and a pass that went to ground and into the Panthers’ hands. Looked quite emotion in the post-match interview and a home visit followed by his first NRL game at Mt Smart since 2018 should ensure his formline keeps trending in the right direction. 6
23 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: A very welcome return from the marquee prop and churned out a team-high 134 metres (64 post-contact) from 15 runs in 52 minutes. Shudder to think how this game would have turned out against Panthers’ rampaging pack with AFB on our side. 7
9 WAYDE EGAN: Played the first 57 minutes of the match and was OK without overly impressing. Racked up 32 tackles and five runs. Has really leaned back into the no-look pass tactic, which seems as unnecessary and ineffective as it ever did. 5
10 JAZZ TEVAGA: A poor penalty that effectively led to the Panthers’ second try aside, a mighty effort from the makeshift starting prop. Real punch in his 15 runs for 130 metres, while he topped the Warriors’ tackle count with 36. Tough as nails. 7.5
11 JACK MURCHIE: Played the full 80 but lacked involvement, making just five runs. Came up with 28 tackles but missed four, with another four ineffective tackles. Will be lucky to keep a spot when Aitken returns from concussion. 4.5
13 JOSH CURRAN: A fabulous ankle-tap on Nathan Cleary and a great hole run to score the Warriors’ only try in the dying minutes papered over a pretty disappointing performance by Curran’s early-season standards. In a poor first half, the cult hero made a terrible defensive decision as Leota strolled through for the first try, gave away the penalty that allowed the Panthers’ to march downfield and score just before the break, and had just two runs. Better in the second stanza (four runs) and finished with an equal-team-high 36 tackles…but an overall 80 minutes like that would attract more scrutiny if he wasn’t so beloved. 5
12 TOHU HARRIS: A typical Tohu offering, carting the ball up 11 times for 106 metres and reeling off 32 tackles. Frequently involved as a ball-player and put Walsh into open pasture with a slick inside ball. 7
14 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Deposed from the five-eighth spot, CHT took to his 24-mintue hooker stint with gusto. Brilliant dummy-half 40/20 from the 30-metre line and ran five times for 44 metres. Missed tackle on Isaah Yeo led to a try. 5
8 BUNTY AFOA: Some of Bunty’s best numbers this season in 44 minutes off the pine, trucking into the teeth of the Panthers’ defence 13 times for 122 metres and notching 20 tackles. 6.5
16 DUNAMIS LUI: A busy 26-minute contribution – seven runs for 50 metres, 16 tackles – was sullied a bit by a dropped ball in the tackle. No real complaints though and appears to have inched in front of Pene in the current pecking order. 5
17 BAYLEY SIRONEN: Pitched into centre after only 11 minutes and had some good moments on defence up against NSW rep Stephen Crichton, as well as some bad – highlighted by a poor decision that helped To’o score his first. Seven runs for 62 metres, two errors. 5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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