3-2-1 v Raiders

[Big Marn]

jeez this is an extreme downplaying of Matulino, 200+ games for the Warriors, 23 tests, twice Warriors POTY and probably deserves a spot in an all time Warriors 17

/agree
Matulino with those other 3 reminds me of that old Sesame Street game where " one of these things is not like the others"

 

[Penrose Warrior]

jeez this is an extreme downplaying of Matulino, 200+ games for the Warriors, 23 tests, twice Warriors POTY and probably deserves a spot in an all time Warriors 17

Yeah I f**ked this up.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

In fairness to @Penrose Warrior I think there is actually quite a widespread tendency to downplay Matulino’s career which I think may be because of how suddenly and prematurely he fizzled out. Also, because the start of his career coincided with us being a good team, while the middle part of his career was when we sucked so those years can be a bit forgettable. He was still an excellent player for the Warriors for probably his first 8ish seasons which is a significant body of work.

 

[Meth]

At another point he was close to the best edge back rower…. All time great Warrior imo, suggesting didn’t ’kick on’ is a major brain fart

Ok I’ll muddy the waters more.

He doesn’t belong with Packer (certainly not bad on his day)/Ale/Bunty. But I don’t think he did actually reach his potential with us and I don’t think his career did kick on once he left.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Ok I’ll muddy the waters more.

He doesn’t belong with Packer (certainly not bad on his day)/Ale/Bunty. But I don’t think he did actually reach his potential with us and I don’t think his career did kick on once he left.

I don't think this fairly reflects the timeline. He left us after 10 years and 212 games so there was no "kicking on" to be had, he had already completed a lengthy career and was past his best.

I also think it's splitting hairs to say he didn't reach his potential given he was an elite prop and he was our player of the year in 2012 and 2015, which was pretty deep into his career. I'm not sure how much better he could have gotten?

It is true that around 27/28 he started to taper off when we probably hoped he had many more good years left in him, but in retrospect he was just a player who peaked relatively young which isn't all that unusual. Given the number of seasons and games he played it was still a fully realised career, just the end came a bit more abruptly than expected.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

tbh you could say that with the way Matulino burned out at the Tigers and retired at 30, it's all the more obvious that he hit his peak with us

 

[Meth]

He may be my favourite Warrior of all time. I remember being a bit frustrated, feeling that he was somewhat under utilised

 

[Meth]

And yeah, he probably peaked early

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

He may be my favourite Warrior of all time. I remember being a bit frustrated, feeling that he was somewhat under utilised

I remember in 2014 he was moved back to edge backrower for a few games and was really effective. It highlighted how damaging he could have been had he remained in that role, but then it also made sense to move him to prop because he was so effective in that role and it got the ball in his hands more. In another life he could've stayed on an edge and been an Eli Katoa or Olakau'atu type. I still think on balance playing him at prop was probably the right call, but I suspect the physical toll of playing there probably bashes some of the athleticism out of a guy a bit quicker.

 

[marlins2.0]

3 Boyd
2 Ford
1 Leka

 

[JJ]

Ok I’ll muddy the waters more.

He doesn’t belong with Packer (certainly not bad on his day)/Ale/Bunty. But I don’t think he did actually reach his potential with us and I don’t think his career did kick on once he left.

hmmm... I can agree with that on the basis that his potential to me was almost limitless, but reckon you're being harsh

 

[Meth]

hmmm... I can agree with that on the basis that his potential to me was almost limitless, but reckon you're being harsh

I don’t want to be. And it is more that I just saw him as having such a massive ceiling. I also have never really held him responsible- felt like he was under utilized more than underperforming

 

[Izz]

Ford with maximum Dally M points again...

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Boyd robbed again.

What is it with Ford, it's like there's something about him that just hypnotises people into overrating everything he does.

.....also I realise I didn't actually give Boyd any points, but the Dally M's are invariably biased towards halves so it's bizarre that a workhorse prop is getting max points week on week over a standout halfback

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Boyd robbed again.

What is it with Ford, it's like there's something about him that just hypnotises people into overrating everything he does.

.....also I realise I didn't actually give Boyd any points, but the Dally M's are invariably biased towards halves so it's bizarre that a workhorse prop is getting max points week on week over a standout halfback

I didn’t give Boyd any points this past round either, basing that on the forwards setting the platform for Tanah to do his thing. Without that platform, Boyd would’ve been kicking from our 20-metre zone or gone missing without another kicker alongside him. Boyd should be mentioned more for points and perhaps I will give him some this week if his form continues.

On Ford, every year except 2024, has cut down on his errors and is such a handy player to have when he’s on form. His long minutes also help the team’s interchange dynamics, and he just doesn’t give in to fatigue, all while being paid peanuts. He’s running some great lines too. Honestly, there are some people here I wonder if they even support this team. Is Ford in most fans best Warriors 2026 17/19? Probably not but his current form is making some doubters look a little silly. I just hope it continues so the quiet people now not complementing his game don't bark up and say "See that's why I didn't like Ford" lol

 

[Meth]

Probably not but his current form is making some doubters look a little silly.

Not really. Not at all actually.

If he makes dumb errors, concedes penalties, misses tackles on his line, gets in the way etc, he deserves to be criticised and I’ll be there to do it.

If he doesn’t do those things, he deserves to be complimented and I’ll be there to do it.

2 games doesn’t whitewash his history of being shit often, nor does it mean he won’t be shit next week, nor does it make him immune from criticism.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

In fairness to @Penrose Warrior I think there is actually quite a widespread tendency to downplay Matulino’s career which I think may be because of how suddenly and prematurely he fizzled out. Also, because the start of his career coincided with us being a good team, while the middle part of his career was when we sucked so those years can be a bit forgettable. He was still an excellent player for the Warriors for probably his first 8ish seasons which is a significant body of work.

I appreciate the fairness but I deserve no such leniency because I was there every home game for Matulino's best years, and I talked him up as one of the world's best props. But you're right, the late career fizzle - he was lazy at the Tigers, too - is why I lapsed into saying it.

My memory says he was Warriors POTY twice, as well?

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Not really. Not at all actually.

If he makes dumb errors, concedes penalties, misses tackles on his line, gets in the way etc, he deserves to be criticised and I’ll be there to do it.

If he doesn’t do those things, he deserves to be complimented and I’ll be there to do it.

2 games doesn’t whitewash his history of being shit often, nor does it mean he won’t be shit next week, nor does it make him immune from criticism.

Jackson has been slowly improving in every aspect of his game since joining our squad, and he definitely hasn’t taken a step back. At the very least, he’s been dependable with his minutes and work rate since 2023, and that consistency has been key. Let's also balance things out a bit and acknowledge what he has been improving on.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Jackson has been slowly improving in every aspect of his game since joining our squad, and he definitely hasn’t taken a step back. At the very least, he’s been dependable with his minutes and work rate since 2023, and that consistency has been key. Let's also balance things out a bit and acknowledge what he has been improving on.

A lesser coach wouldn't have got to where we are now with Ford. OK, it's two weeks in and a fortnight doth not a season make, I get that. But two insane performances from a guy that a lot of us would have binned 2-3 years ago.

I'm 100% all in on Webby now, OK there's the things we struggle with in the persistence with Dallin etc but the guy clearly has the command and love of all his players, and knows how to get the best out of them.

 

[Meth]

Let's also balance things out a bit and acknowledge what he has been improving on.

I have given him points this week and last week. Not sure what else you want.