How it all went wrong for the Warriors in season 2017

IT was another horrible season for a club which has not featured in the finals since 2011 — the longest drought of any team in the NRL.

The Warriors endured another season to forget.

• AXED: South Sydney part ways with coach Michael Maguire

• NAMED: Team lists for week one of the NRL finals revealed

IT was another horrible season for a club which has not featured in the finals since 2011 — the longest drought of any team in the NRL.

With the regular season wrapped up for 2017, we take a look back at what went wrong for the eight teams that missed the finals. Read on for the New Zealand Warriors’ end-of-season review.

Where they finished?

13th

What went wrong?

Everything. From the much-hyped arrival of Kieran Foran to a new coach in Stephen Kearny who was supposed to replicate his success with the New Zealand national team. Foran has barely been sighted as he battled injuries. Shaun Johnson’s injury did not help nor did Issac Luke’s failure to rediscover the form which saw him among the best running hookers in rugby league a few years ago.

The Warriors endured another season to forget.

What went right?

That they didn’t get the wooden spoon? They did manage to beat top four teams in the Eels, Roosters and Brisbane but their best performances were too few and far between.

Stat that sums up the season?

One win away from home. Horrible.

It’s a shambles!

Ticker. They need to show some heart, some grit. They have not demonstrated anything which suggests they are willing to work hard and compete regardless of the situation. It’s the same old Warriors.

Highlight of the season?

An 80th minute penalty goal to Shaun Johnson saw the Warriors beat the Roosters 14-13 in a dramatic round nine game.

Shaun Johnson probably felt he was carrying the team again before a late injury essentially ended his season.

Lowlight of the season?

Again Johnson. When he hobbled from the field in round 19 it put an end to any hopes of a finals run.

Big-name recruits

Tohu Harris. Injury has ravaged his season in 2017, but Harris has been one of the Storm’s best during the past three years. He can’t fall victim to being another player whose career goes downhill when they join the Warriors.

Big-name losses

Foran is joining the Bulldogs and despite the Warriors not getting the best from him this year, he still showed glimpses of why he was once considered among the best players in the competition. Ryan Hoffman’s experience and cool head will also be missed.

Issac Luke had a mixed year with the Warriors.

What will happen next year?

Best possible scenario

It finally clicks for the Warriors. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns to running 200 metres plus per game and New Zealand find a way to put their past failures behind them. They recapture the imagination of a nation.

Worst possible scenario

Nothing changes, in fact their performances get worse and they finish with a wooden spoon. Luke continues his run of poor form while Tuivasa-Sheck looks to make a return to Australia after failing to fire for the club.

Coach safety rating

3.5/10

Another poor year and Kearney will become another victim of the Warriors’ coach-killing culture. He has to turn it around next year and find a way to get this team firing. If not, it will spell the end of his coaching career.