A tough Kingz Container Crew Warriors Player Ratings to dish out after a gutting 42-12 preliminary final loss to the Broncos, but a pleasure to have run the rule over this bunch – with KCC’s wonderful support – throughout an amazing 2023 season.
1 CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD: The impact of Warriors predecessor Reece Walsh on the Broncos’ win created a stark contrast, but you couldn’t have asked for too much more from CNK. A team-high 22 runs for 207 metres was enormous for a team consistently under the pump, while he threw the last pass for his side’s first try, had three tackle-breaks, two offloads and eight tackles, plus produced some tremendous high-ball takes. 7.5
2 DALLIN WATENE-ZELEZNIAK: Arguably the Warriors’ best on ground, finishing off the first try and sensationally plucking Walsh’s pass out of the air to sprint away for their second and claim the club’s season tryscoring record. An absolute weapon as a ball-carrier with 206 metres from 16 runs and eight tackle-breaks, and chalked up a line-break assist. On the downside, a handling error and a very bad jam that allowed opposing winger Arthars to score. 7.5
3 ROCCO BERRY: Dreadful defensive decision that allowed opposite Farnworth to score his first try but otherwise gave an impressive account of himself in the pressure cooker, in a team under the pump in just his 31st NRL game. Got busy with 10 runs for 115 metres and made 27 tackles, including some impressive stops. Certainly in the 2024 centre conversation despite the returning superstars and emerging talent. 7
4 ADAM POMPEY: Not a great night for A-Pomp, but he was a victim of circumstance to a certain degree. Made a blue that resulted in a sin-binning – when an at least as bad one in the first half was a mere penalty. Three tough – but agonisingly identical conversion misses – didnt’t help the general consensus, nor did two handling errors (one was an absolute shocker on the first tackle in great field position). Nice try assist, though, and nine runs for 74 metres. 5.5
5 MARCELO MONTOYA: Got stripped by Cobbo multiple times unfortunately, but was nevertheless a gutsy performer with 19 runs for 158 metres and six tackle-breaks, while also had a well-taken try. In the box-seat to nab a spot in a suddenly congested three-quarter line in 2024. 6.5
6 TE MAIRE MARTIN: Lovely touch in Montoya’s try but was otherwise relatively anonymous. Ran rarely, created little, missed tackles. Big question over whether he keeps the spot ahead of Metcalf or the returning Chanel Harris-Tavita. 5
7 SHAUN JOHNSON: Far from his best of an astonishing 2023, but still laid on two of the Warriors’ three tries, did all of the kicking – to reasonable effect – and made some important tackles despite copping a finger injury. Ran for 74 metres, but overall in all departments lacked his usual spark in difficult circumstances. 6.5
TWL PRELIM FINAL: BLISTERING BRONCOS REIN IN WARRIORS FAIRYTALE
8 ADDIN FONUA-BLAKE: There’s no point in beating around the bush – this was billed as the ‘best prop in the world battle’ and AFB got eviscerated by Payne Haas. Fonua-Blake was OK – 12 runs for 134 metres and 20 tackles – but it paled in comparison to his opposite and there was little of the authority or impact that AFB has exerted so many times in 2023. 6
9 WAYDE EGAN: Looked good when darting out of dummy-half, service was immaculate and made 30 tackles. Was forced off at a very crucial juncture after getting in the wrong spot in a tackle – and the question has to be asked: can we put this dude through a training course to not get fucked up in nine out of every 10 games? No one doubts his courage but its a bit of a handbrake on this team and it’s so frequent that you can’t brush it off as coincidence. 5.5
10 MITCH BARNETT: One of only three Warriors forwards to get to triple figures, Barnett went hard for his 56 minutes and finished with 11 runs for 111 meters and 30 tackles. A workhorse in the face of a barrage – couldn’t have asked for much more. 7
11 JACKSON FORD: A Jackson Ford way to end a breakout season. The high-octane second-rower had nine runs for 74 metres, 31 tackles, a costly error and a penalty. Tried hard as ever. 5.5
12 MARATA NIUKORE: Blockbusting start as he bent the Broncos’ line back regularly, but ultimately had a mere six runs for 55 metres in 56 minutes on the paddock. Good defensively with 24 tackles (zero misses). 5.5
13 TOHU HARRIS: Did everything he could in 74 minutes on Suncorp, carting it up 17 times for 143 metres, and a massive, team-high 45 tackles, plus doing his usual playmaking through the middle. 7
14 DYLAN WALKER: Very prominent when on the field, a 41-minute contribution interrupted by an HIA. Changed the tempo on attack, notched 88 running metres from 11 runs, plus 23 tackles and some paymaking duties. 6
15 JAZZ TEVAGA: Just the 23 minutes off the pine, making six runs and 16 tackles. A horrendous offload right on halftime was a low point in a game that didn’t really come his way. 5.5
16 BAYLEY SIRONEN: Got on for 22 minutes with some of that at dummy-half. The utiliy made four runs and 14 tackles in what was likely his last game for the club. 6
17 JOSH CURRAN: Made his presence felt after coming on for the second half of the match, making five runs and 11 tackles. Coughed up the ball charging onto an SJ pass class to the line. 5
Categories: Previews + Reviews, WARRIORS NEWS
Leave a Reply