Opinion Are the Warriors close to their first premiership?

[Sime_11]

def top 4 worthy but need to play very well to get that, top 2 finish would be pretty insane for the Wahs

just cant see them going head to head with a Storm or Penrith in a prelim slog

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Sure they came 1st in NSW Cup, however their lower grade results dont exactly scream "thrashing" the opposition

Flegg - 8th
Ball - 13th
Matts - 3rd

Finished reg season 3rd yes, but went on to win the comp for back to back titles at that level.

Trying to carry that success up the chain will be tough and will probably take a while to figure out, given we never had this pathway before '24. But it suggests the raw ingredients are there.

Bishop Neal is one to watch. Young backrower that's dominated the last couple Matts seasons and will move into SGB this year.

Still questions over whether his dominance was simply due to being fking huge for a 16-17yr old but he's an example of a kid who would already be in Aus, or committed to rugby, if the Warriors hadnt invested in a Matts team.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I think we're in a weird sort of transitional spot where the overall depth of talent in the club is excellent and improving, but the likely first grade team is a bit stagnant and doesn't have the quality to win a premiership.

On paper we were actually stronger in 2023/2024 imo. Ironically 2024 looked like our best chance. Of course, that season fizzled out and then 2025 was more about us performing above expectations after losing multiple key players, rather than appearing to be a genuine premiership threat.

We still have a spine full of guys who are well short of elite and we are relying massively on Metcalf, at 27 years old with minimal FG experience and a terrible injury history, to both finally play a full season and maintain a high level of performance. Two of our key players are elite props, but JFH was mediocre last season and Barnett will be 32 and coming off an ACL injury. There are major question marks over the level of performance we will get out of perhaps our 3 key players.

I really rate guys like Leka (obviously), Vaimauga, Laban, EIT, TSS and I still have hopes that Leiataua can be a strike centre if he stays on the field. However, teams don't win a premiership based on having excellent up-and-coming forwards but an average spine.

 

[Dogs Of War]

I think we're in a weird sort of transitional spot where the overall depth of talent in the club is excellent and improving, but the likely first grade team is a bit stagnant and doesn't have the quality to win a premiership.

On paper we were actually stronger in 2023/2024 imo. Ironically 2024 looked like our best chance. Of course, that season fizzled out and then 2025 was more about us performing above expectations after losing multiple key players, rather than appearing to be a genuine premiership threat.

We still have a spine full of guys who are well short of elite and we are relying massively on Metcalf, at 27 years old with minimal FG experience and a terrible injury history, to both finally play a full season and maintain a high level of performance. Two of our key players are elite props, but JFH was mediocre last season and Barnett is 33 and coming off an ACL injury. There are major question marks over the level of performance we will get out of perhaps our 3 key players.

I really rate guys like Leka (obviously), Vaimauga, Laban, EIT, TSS and I still have hopes that Leiataua can be a strike centre if he stays on the field. However, teams don't win a premiership based on having excellent up-and-coming forwards but an average spine.

You guys are like the Bulldogs. You have a great system that gets the most of your guys. Just lacking the high level spine players like us to elevate yourself to that next level.

I can only hope that Woods can make the leap to first grade, and Galvin can take hold of the 5/8th role at be better than Burton.

 

[Marshall_magic]

Probably not

 

[Diesel]

Nope , to much travel

This.
International travel is another level over domestic , then factor in a 2 hour time zone.
Back in the day the NRL loved giving them 9:30pm (NZ time) kick offs

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

The Warriors look set to claim their first premiership between 2026 and 2028, having been firmly established in all junior grades since 2024.

The progress across all teams is already showing, with the Harold Matthews squad chasing a possible third consecutive title this year, and last year’s NSW Cup and state championship wins highlighting the club’s depth.

The Warriors’ pathways are now attracting strong Rugby Union prospects, much to the disappointment of rugby fans seeing their rising stars switch codes.

While the SG Ball and Jersey Flegg sides struggled due to frequent player rotations, they’re now settled, and with TJ leading, the teams should gel and push for finals appearances.

It’s an exciting time to be a Warriors fan, with hard work paying off across the board.

Up the Wahs!

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

This.
International travel is another level over domestic , then factor in a 2 hour time zone.
Back in the day the NRL loved giving them 9:30pm (NZ time) kick offs

Most of our games are now earlier, and travel isn’t an issue for us since we’re used to it and never use it as an excuse. We just get on with it and are pushing hard to secure that maiden premiership. The biggest hurdle for the Warriors since its inception back in 1995 was never having a proper pathway. That's now been rectified as of 2024 we now have the Warriors in all age brackets and it's already paying dividends.

 

[Chins]

The spine is nowhere near premiership standard. A soild top 8 side is their ceiling atm

 

[Captain Apollo]

Probably something the warriors should explore asking the NRL to have out of there last 6 games like at least 4 at home to allow them to prepare for the finals and reduce travel before it's all pretty much travel for them.

If they tried that, I suspect the Cowboys would want similar as travel time for them is somewhat similar to the Warriors. Also, what would happen when the Bears come in, considering the time differential and travel distance (let alone travel time) of flying just from Perth to Sydney's east coast?

 

[Dogs Of War]

If they tried that, I suspect the Cowboys would want similar as travel time for them is somewhat similar to the Warriors. Also, what would happen when the Bears come in, considering the time differential and travel distance (let alone travel time) of flying just from Perth to Sydney's east coast?

Interesting. Maybe that's something to consider given the previous years performance. That said it's 4 out of 6 I'm proposing. It's only a slight imbalance so multiple teams could be considered like you have suggested who are in a similar situation.

 

[Ashburn]

The Warriors look set to claim their first premiership between 2026 and 2028, having been firmly established in all junior grades since 2024.

The progress across all teams is already showing, with the Harold Matthews squad chasing a possible third consecutive title this year, and last year’s NSW Cup and state championship wins highlighting the club’s depth.

The Warriors’ pathways are now attracting strong Rugby Union prospects, much to the disappointment of rugby fans seeing their rising stars switch codes.

While the SG Ball and Jersey Flegg sides struggled due to frequent player rotations, they’re now settled, and with TJ leading, the teams should gel and push for finals appearances.

It’s an exciting time to be a Warriors fan, with hard work paying off across the board.

Up the Wahs!

f**king hope so bra. Up the Wahs!

 

[Gobsmacked]

It really depends on lots of individuals playing their best footy.
Tuapiki gets better at defense and goes into fullback, give the side x factor.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira , speedster from the Titans, also needs defensive work becomes an x factor.
Metcalf stays fit and hit his form, same with Barnett.
Some young forwards get better.
CNK makes center his own
CHT gets a little more confident in attack.

They probably need to be physically stronger to match the Panthers, Broncos and Raiders also .

All the key ingredients are their if Webby puts it together just right and get some luck with injuries and some emerging talent.

Unlikely but possible.

 

[Evil_Mush]

I really think an elite centre and fullback would take us up a level. I think the pieces are there in centres with Berry and Leiataua, fullback is the big question mark. I think we are a bottom 8 team until those positions get sorted.

Unfortunately they are both more often in pieces, which sucks cos they have definitely shown promise, albeit scattered between injuries.

I don't think travel is an issue these days, we've gotten to the finals enough that it's hard to constantly claim that as an issue anymore. In a couple of years we're not even going to be in the top two teams by travel distance.

Just because we have gotten used to it, doesn't stop it being an issue compared to the far less travelled teams.

I wonder if this is an element of why some of our players blossom when they transfer to other teams, having more energy in reserve with their travel time drastically cut.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Unfortunately they are both more often in pieces, which sucks cos they have definitely shown promise, albeit scattered between injuries.




Just because we have gotten used to it, doesn't stop it being an issue compared to the far less travelled teams.

I wonder if this is an element of why some of our players blossom when they transfer to other teams, having more energy in reserve with their travel time drastically cut.

The Warriors travel plans has been improving under Webster and co. They also give players the choice to stay on if they play consecutive weeks in Australia or return home to assist their families.

Our game times has also improved from the good old days with better starting times and avoiding some time zones bar North Queensland and the odd Perth game.

Traveling is part in parcel and if anything we never have or never will use the travel card when things dont go our way. We're champions like that.

On the flip side when the Warriors do win a premiership it just makes us look that more mightier.

The NZ Breakers has achieved it. The Warriors can too.

 

[James Rick]

How is Jett Cleary coming along?

 

[Matiunz]

How is Jett Cleary coming along?

Might get a bench cameo late in the season and Perhaps more regular appearances in 27 but most reports have him still a fair way to go before debuting in first grade

 

[nick87]

As much as it pains me to say, because i like the Wahs and want them to win a comp, not only because their fans seem cool but also because it would be awesome for the game... but no, i genuinely dont think so

I like Metcalf, he's a gun but the injury history is significant.
But i dont see a lot else in the spine right now... Egan is pretty good but again, injury.

Maybe Healey will solve the 9 long term, maybe Jett is the next star half, with the athleticism in the NZ players, they'll always have a chance to produce a difference making fullback... and that changes very quickly. But right now i dont think their spine is good enough.

 

[Matiunz]

As much as it pains me to say, because i like the Wahs and want them to win a comp, not only because their fans seem cool but also because it would be awesome for the game... but no, i genuinely dont think so

I like Metcalf, he's a gun but the injury history is significant.
But i dont see a lot else in the spine right now... Egan is pretty good but again, injury.

Maybe Healey will solve the 9 long term, maybe Jett is the next star half, with the athleticism in the NZ players, they'll always have a chance to produce a difference making fullback... and that changes very quickly. But right now i dont think their spine is good enough.

Think a lot of people are putting too many eggs in the Jett Cleary basket. Based on family name alone some seem to think we have Nathan just sitting in NSW cup waiting to be unleashed. Sure he might develop but at this point he’s not demanding selection like say a young SJ was at this point.
Hope he gets there because we develop quality halves at an alarmingly low rate but the hype around him is unwarranted at this point.

 

[nick87]

Think a lot of people are putting too many eggs in the Jett Cleary basket. Based on family name alone some seem to think we have Nathan just sitting in NSW cup waiting to be unleashed. Sure he might develop but at this point he’s not demanding selection like say a young SJ was at this point.
Hope he gets there because we develop quality halves at an alarmingly low rate but the hype around him is unwarranted at this point.

Completely agree
As i said, maybe he is the next star half and if he is, that'll go a long way to solving the issues i have with the Wahs spine, but that's certainly not a guarantee, and until we see it, its hard for me to think Tuaupiki/CHT/Metcalf/Egan will be good enough to win the comp together. Even if Metcalf is awesome
They need more firepower in that group imo.