No out-and-out studs but no real duds in what could conceivably be called the Warriors’ most impressive display overall in 2022.
1 REECE WALSH: Typical jack-in-a-box effort after missing the homecoming and the big news last week, but came up with a couple of poor plays in the second half – a duffed play-the-ball and a bad, bad ball when the Warriors were hot on attack and only four down. Just 93 running metres, but did produce one wonderful line dropout. 5
2 MARCELO MONTOYA: Such a shame his dropped bomb proved so costly – leading to Gutho’s try – because he was one of the best afield. A battleaxe out of the backfield with 16 super-tough carries for 177 metres and finished off his team’s first try well. 7
3 JESSE ARTHARS: Made more tackles than any three-quarter line player on either team (17), including some impressive stops in an improved area of his game in recent weeks. Quiet on attack. 5.5
4 ADAM POMPEY: When you see Pompey produce the slick try-assist he did for Montoya and how big and powerful he is, you just wish he had the mongrel, desire and footy IQ to go with it. Nevertheless, racked up 108 metres on nine carries and finished in the black tonight. 6.5
5: EDWARD KOSI: So it appears big Ed is much more competent on the right wing than the left, where his most notable atrocities have occured. A team-high 186 metres from 17 runs is the headliner, charged over for a great try in the latter stages and no genuine bungles. If we’re nitpicking – and we will, because it’s Kosi and it’s me – a low-percentage play at a fifth-tackle pass led to a match-turning Eels try and getting bundled into touch by Sivo was fairly ordinary. 7
6 CHANEL HARRIS-TAVITA: Hearts were in mouths as it looked like his other ball went during the first half. Took plenty of the playmaking load without too much success, defended willingly but shied away from kicking. 6
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: The intercept pass was costly and the kick out on the full was ugly (worth mentioning both instances were the right idea, wrong execution). Disappointing, because otherwise he picked up where he left off against the Tigers: excellent kicking game overall, 21 tackles (no misses), and persistent and direct on attack – which was rewarded with a lovely touch in Kosi’s try and an assist to put over Murchie late. 6.5
16 AARON PENE: Bumped into the starting line-up again…not sure why. Played 27 minutes, made eight runs for 69 metres and 17 tackles without miss, but just doesn’t seem physical enough – which is a big shock based on his Melbourne projections. Doesn’t bend the line back with the ball or sting without it. 5
9 WAYDE EGAN: On the back of arguably a career-best display in the homecoming, Egan continues to build – and he looked especially effective in the first half. Beautiful dummy-half work to set up Montoya’s try, looked dangerous running the ball and reeled off 39 tackles. 7
10 TOHU HARRIS: A play-the-ball error wast the only thing you could really hold against Tohu tonight – a real captain’s knock. Named at prop, Harris racked up 173 metres on 17 runs, a game-high 44 tackles, a line-break and an exquisite assist for Kosi to score. 8
11 EUAN AITKEN: A workmanlike effort from the consistent centre-cum-second-rower. Nine runs for 83 metres and a huge 43 tackles with just one miss. He’ll be a big loss that I’m not sure we’ve fully plugged it for 2023. 6.5
12 JOSH CURRAN: Big, big defensive load with 40 stops – including some beauties on the try-line – and progressively involved more on attack, this week with nine runs for 78 metres. Good game against a stacked Parra pack. 6.5
13 JAZZ TEVAGA: Typical Jazz, with big numbers in 51 minutes on the park and wearing his preferred jumper. Eleven runs for 101 metres and 39 tackles, while he had a nice hand in Murchie’s late try. 7
8 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: Exactly what we’ve come to expect (except for not starting again), carting it up 16 times for 183 metres – including a mammoth 102 post-contact metres. Made 23 tackles and also got his passing game going again. 7
14 FREDDY LUSSICK: Came on for the last nine minutes, made a couple of darts and contributed to the two late tries. 5
15 BUNTY AFOA: Lower minutes than usual (27) but high work-rate with seven runs for 75 metres and 22 tackles with only one miss. Gave away a penalty. 5.5
17 JACK MURCHIE: Came on for the last half-hour and made a real impact. Seven runs for 83 metres and 16 tackles, while he repeatedly rode shotgun on Johnson’s hip and was rewarded with an outstanding late try, punching through the line and getting past Clint Gutherson to score. 6.5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
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