From the Warriors:
Sione Faumuina - personal demons got the best of him. I remember being at Parra Stadium in 2003, this is the game that Michael Witt ripped the heart of the Warriors with a phenomenal last 10 minutes burst... the Warriors were playing horrid for 35 minutes, and then Sione decided to do something about it. Scored a long range try and set up two others in the space of 10 minutes including one where he chipped from his own 30 metre line. Such a shame, a backrow featuring Faumuina and Lauitiiti if they were playing at their potential would have been unbelievable to watch.
Tevita Latu - again, personal issues and earlier on health issues. He was dynamite out of dummy half. I remember him absolutely tearing Brisbane to shreds in a 20 minute burst in 2003 at Ericsson... I think this was the game where Gorillasanti took to Webkce.
Lance Hohaia - first few games in first grade at a young age we thought we'd found the guy to perfectly compliment Stacey Jones in the halves. He was making a tonne of breaks and was very quick. However, he showed no ability to playmake or organise with his kicking game from there on in, and sadly became a jack of all trades, master of none. He's still gone onto a decent career, infact a very good career but he was a supreme athlete who suffered also some horrific knee injuries.
Vince Mellars - mentioned earlier, they talked him up as the next Kevin Iro. First game against Cronulla in 2003 and he showed what he was all about. Looked exceptional. Scored a try, set up another. Never really did anything after that and I think it all went to his head.
Marcus Perenara - the chunky fat hooker at Parramatta was a top line five eighth coming up through the ranks. Big expectations. Never transpired.
Cooper Vuna - one of the most naturally talented athletes, youngest ever Warrior. Beautifully balanced runner of the football. Again I think it may have gone to his head a bit and to be fair, Ivan Cleary showed next to no faith in the bloke. Now he's playing rah-rah.
Evarn Tuimavave - he's had a decent career, played for the Kiwis. When he was coming through Daniel Anderson said he was the best forwards talent in New Zealand.
Denan Kemp - bloke never got any football at the Warriors yet people go woe-was-me how come he never scored for us? The way Cleary coached him it was like he was expected to Vatuvei-like and be an extra prop who'll bulldoze his way through the middle with no constructive inside him to create an opportunity. Sadly, injuries have hurt him, and I really think the way the Warriors coached him destroyed his confidence too.
Russell Packer - incredible in the lower grades. I remember NYC Warriors/Broncos in the first season in the semi-final, he racks up 287m most of its pure hit ups. He is doing ok, but he's very inconsistent particularly with being in the right shape.
Kevin Locke - the Warriors have screwed this guy around royally. Natural fullback, short bloke... put him on the right wing and give him the Denan Kemp "sorry mate we don't pass it that way" shtick and expect the best. I wouldn't be surprised if the Warriors lose this bloke.
Michael Witt - what a start to his career, but he just never dominated after that like expected. Hell of a goal kicker though.
Danny Sullivan - poor bugger, clearly had the talent and the pyhsique to pull it off but what a horrific injury.
Sonny Fai - forever the biggest disappointment and the biggest heartache as a Warriors and just in general, league fan. What a sad tragedy. Boy he had it all, strong, quick, good ball skills. It depresses me everytime his name comes up, he should have been a one in a generation Kiwis backrower he had it all, but the man above decided it couldn't be so.
Simon Mannering - not so much 'never reached their potential', but my word there was some strange scouting on this one. Mannering is a very solid hard working back rower... he was hyped up as a SBW type ball player.. LOL.
Shaun Metcalfe - obvious reasons. When he's 16 he's scoring a try in a first grade trial against Saints. Boy, what a mistake.
Louis Anderson - scored with his first touch in first grade against Penrith in 2004, scored on test debut v Australia. He just kept giving away penalties but he was a hard working player. I think the Anderson brothers received the rough end of the pineapple in how Mick Watson treated them and were lost from the NRL too early.
Monty Betham - was a fairly shrewd lock/dummy half. Then he suffered a shocking injury. The guy was a natural leader. A hard man to be followed. And his comeback from the injuries I'm sure were inspirational. But before being physically ruined he was a far better talent than he ended up showing.
Brett Seymour - another one who suffered the 'the next X' tag. Injuries and alcohol have really knocked him back.
PJ Marsh - odd choice given his amazing 2002-2003 seasons, but that neck injury at Parra Stadium in 2003 took a lot from his game. He was brilliant for the Warriors... he should have had a 10 year career where his name was permanently etched in as #9 for us. One terrible injury and his style changed.
Joel Moon - frankly, I just don't think he's that good. But a lot of others thought he was.
Others around the league
Brett Firman
Matt Head
Tim Smith
James Aubusson
Antonio Kaufusi - should have been good for longer
