Squad Breakdown: Warriors 2023 SuperCoach analysis

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2.&nbsp;Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Viliame Vailea 4.&nbsp;Marcelo Montoya 5.&nbsp;Edward Kosi 6.&nbsp;Te Maire Martin 7.&nbsp;Shaun Johnson 8.&nbsp;Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11.&nbsp;Marata Niukore 12.&nbsp;Jackson Ford 13.&nbsp;Tohu Harris



14. Dylan Walker 15. Tom Ale 16.&nbsp;Bunty Afoa 17.&nbsp;Josh Curran



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team News</h2>



The talk is that there will be shuffles within the pack, with Mitch Barnett starting at prop before shifting to an edge.



At this stage, Tohu Harris would move to prop, and Josh Curran would enter through the middle.



Don’t be confused too much, whether you’re prop or lock is in essence the same nowadays, as they’re more classed as middle forwards.



Harris is expected to play big minutes as the ball-playing link man, while Marata Niukore could get as many as 80 on the edge.



Adding further intrigue to the line-up was the naming of cheapie Ford on the edge in the second trial, meaning he may have beaten Curran to start.



It’ll be fascinating to see how this all plays out in round 1.



Jazz Tevaga is expected to miss numerous games due to injury.



Luke Metcalf was also injured during the pre-season and will miss a lengthy stretch of games, locking in the fullback spot to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstadd.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Draw</h2>



Knights (H), Roosters (A), Cowboys (A), Bulldogs (H), Sharks (A), Knights (A), Cowboys (H), Storm (A), Roosters (H), Panthers (Suncorp, Magic Round)



First five round strength of schedule rating (1 toughest, 10 easiest)



4/10



2023 gains&nbsp;–&nbsp;Squad changes via NRL.com



Marata Niukore (Eels), Luke Metcalf (Sharks), Dylan Walker (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Barnett (Knights), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders), Te Maire Martin (Broncos), Jackson Ford (Dragons), Brayden Wiliame (Perpignan).



2023 losses



Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Reece Walsh (Broncos), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Aaron Pene (Storm), Jack Murchie (Eels), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Dragons), Taniela Otukolo (released), Otukinekina Kepu (released).



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Guns</h2>



Tohu Harris $640,500



The Warriors don’t really have many Supercoach guns based on last year’s performances, but Tohu Harris is certainly capable of being just that when fit and firing.



The key to his Supercoach credentials this season is the dual FRF-2RF positioning.



As a sole 2RF he doesn’t interest me due to lack of upside, but at FRF in a position typically associated with lower ceilings he’s a genuine option.



He’s expected to play big minutes for the Warriors, albeit as a link man which may hinder his output, but it also may lead to some attacking stats.



I’m hoping the fulltime link role, which he’s played in parts of course in the pass, doesn’t impact him too much as it did Jake Trbojevic in past years.



Tohu averaged a solid 61 points last season, and 69 in both seasons prior.



If he’s a big minute middle he’ll be a consideration at FRF down the track.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mid-Rangers</h2>



Addin Fonua-Blake $550,200



I won’t be starting with AFB, but we all know what he’s capable of when he’s on.



He has a high work-rate, busts tackles, and most importantly to his scoring, he offloads.



Injury is always a concern for the big fella which has always made him hard to own.



Last season’s 52 point average was well down on prior years, averaging from 58-66 in the three seasons prior.



Not for me, but one to monitor.



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Marata Niukore $419,500



Niukore makes the move from the Eels and is another tipped for big minutes at the Warriors.



I’m very keen on him and see him as a fairly safe bet, although he may not have the upside we’re anticipating.



The semi concerning stat for me is that he had just 41 points in 58 minutes in 2021, and 44 points in 56 minutes in 2019.



However, the 2021 stat in particular is misleading having played eight games at centre for 80 minutes.



2019 was all back-row, but I do think he’s come a long way since then.



He’s currently priced on a 40 point average from 44 minutes per game, so I’m hoping if he can play anywhere from 65-80 he should imrpove significantly.



Sure he leaves a better side in Parramatta, but he’ll also be more utilised in attack than at his previous club.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cheapies</h2>



Charnze Nicoll-Kolkstad $327,100



I’m a little on the fence with CNK as there’s been some fairly enticing cheapies emerge at CTW at lower prices than the Warriors fullback.



He’s not going to be loaded with attacking stats, but he will have a high work-rate giving him a solid floor.



The injury to Luke Metcalf also gives him decent job security for now.



He’s priced on a 31 point average from 58 minutes last season.



Disregard his prior two seasons that have been impacted by injury and playing off the bench.



Look back to 2020 where he averaged 54 points, and 2019 where he averaged 57.



If he can get back to those heights there’s cash to be made.



I think he’s a relatively low-risk buy, but with a fairly tough draw to start the season and new combinations around him I’m happy to wait and buy in round 3 if he starts strong.



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Jackson Ford $281,200



Ford has come from the clouds to loom as a starting second-rower for his new club.



If given the green light to start, he looks fairly hard to pass up at a cheap rate.



My issue is the stack of forwards competing for minutes at the club, namely Josh Curran who would be looming on the bench.



Further, there’s talk of Mitch Barnett spending time on the edge, and Niukore playing big minutes.



Ford is an okay worker, so any reasonable game time should see him make coin, but will he get it? Even if he does start, what’s his job security like?



Last season he averaged 33 points in 26 minutes, having only played five games he’s received a discount on his starting price.



He averaged 47 minutes in 2020 for 41 points, and 64 minutes in 2019 for only 43 points.



On those numbers I’m not overly convinced.



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Tom Ale $256,700



I don’t think Ale will get enough minutes to be relevant until an injury or two hit, as the Warriors are flushed with quality big minute forwards.



He looked terrific in the trials though so monitor early.

Squad Breakdown: Warriors 2023 SuperCoach analysis

Discussion (0)

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