Warriors promised so much but delivered so little in season 2016

FINAL VERDICT: They had the talent and they had the performances to play finals football. But once again the Warriors failed to live up to expectations.

THEY had the talent and they had the performances to play finals football. But once again the Warriors failed to live up to expectations.

Daily Telegraph journalists Paul Crawley and David Riccio give their final verdict on the Warriors.

By PAUL CRAWLEY

What went right:

For a team many predicted had the makings of a top four roster, it is hard to find too many positives for the Warriors in 2016. Perhaps the biggest came after they missed the finals for the fifth straight year and Steve Kearney was appointed head coach for 2017. Other than that, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be back next year and who knows what will eventuate with Kieran Foran. Imagine having a spine that included Tuivasa-Sheck, Foran, Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke. How would you possibly make excuses with that, and the rest of the footballing talent the Warriors already have on their roster?

Shaun Johnson still longs to play finals football.

What went wrong:

Tuivasa-Sheck’s season-ending knee injury pretty much summed up the year for the Warriors. Promised so much, delivered so little. Andrew McFadden also had to contend with claims of a prescription drugs scandal, and just when it looked like McFadden would keep his job the club pulled the rug from under him. As was displayed time and again this year, the Warriors have the strike power to match any team, they just need to find consistency to go with it. Perhaps a game that best illustrated their season was the stunning comeback they produced against Canberra in round 20. From 22-4 down with 10 minutes to go they charged back with three late tries to lock the scores, only to get nailed by Jarrod Croker’s winning try in golden point.

By DAVID RICCIO

What went right:

Plenty of potency, but just not enough polish. The Warriors sat regularly inside the top-8 for most line-breaks, due to their collection of powerful outside backs, who boasted footwork and speed. Centre Solomona Kata was a standout almost each week for the Warriors and will be an even stronger player in 2017.

There’s plenty of talent in the Warriors side but they just can’t seem to get the job done.

What went wrong:

They did have excuses. The loss of marquee signing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to an ACL knee injury after just seven rounds devastated the club. The loss of Ben Henry (broken knee cap) in round one and Sione Lousi (ACL) in round nine, only added to the strain on the squad.

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Originally published as Warriors promised so much but delivered so little in season 2016