[ad_1]
OPINION: Like 2002 and 2011, this year will be one of the most memorable for the Warriors.
Not because they made it to the Grand Final, but because of everything the team went through to maintain the NRL competition this season.
They got off to a terrible start, with losses to the Knights and Raiders before the lockout and after a win over the Dragons when the league resumed, they were even worse, leading to the firing of Stephen Kearney.
However, as interim coach Todd Payten gradually made his mark on the team and the players settled into their Terrigal location, they defied the odds and were one of the best teams in the NRL for the past two months.
READ MORE:
* Kodi playmaker Nikorima enjoys additional responsibility in tipping the Warriors final
* The Warriors hold their ground after a big win as Chanel Harris-Tavita finds her voice
* Warriors players are close to resigning to return to their families in New Zealand
* Warriors request for help with injury crisis rejected by NRL, Cameron George will ask again
The Warriors finished 10th in the standings, three places higher than last year, so given all the hurdles the team had to overcome, 2020 will be a season that the club’s players and fans can be on. proud.
With the season over, it’s time for Stuff league writer David Long to hand out his 2020 Warriors Awards. So if the envelope passes …
Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Tohu Harris had his best season for the Warriors
Player of the year
Harris sign
Since Harris joined the Warriors in 2018, he has been one of the club’s best players, but injuries hampered his impact for the first two seasons.
But this year, he not only remained injury free, he also developed as a lieutenant to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
He may be a quiet guy, but he has leadership qualities that came to light and he benefited from playing ahead for most of the season, rather than being blocked.
In the past 10 years, only three players have been the Warriors’ Official Player of the Year, Tuivasa-Sheck, Simon Mannering and Ben Matulino, but by 2020 it should be Harris.
Matt King / Getty Images
Eliesa Katoa gave Warriors fans another reminder of how good he can be, scoring two tries against the Sea Eagles.
Rookie of the Year
Eliesa Katoa
He had barely picked up a Steeden rugby league ball before this season began, with his experience in the 15-man code.
However, he quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic young forwards the club has seen in years.
Now I wonder if the Warriors quickly offered him a five-year contract and since he’s only 20 years old, it’s scary to think how good he’s going to be.
Mark Kolbe / Getty Images
Jazz Tevaga helped give the Warriors a physical advantage.
Most Improved Player of the Year
Jazz tevaga
He emerged on the Warriors NRL team as someone who was a good hooker, who could eat a few minutes when Issac Luke needed a break.
But he gradually showed that there was more to him than that and also that the prostitute was not his best position.
In 2018, he was voted the NRL’s trade player of the season. A good prize, but none of the players aspires to win. But there is no chance he will ever get it back, as he has established himself as the club’s first-choice lock.
It brings a steel advantage to the club that is not in other players. Every team needs a serious character, and Tevaga emerged as the Warriors.
fake images
Blake Green last played for the Warriors in a 12th round win over the West Tigers on July 31.
Most disappointing player of the year
Blake green
There’s no question how well Green played for the Warriors during his time at the club.
However, at the start of this season, it was clear that the club’s long-term future in the halves was a combination of Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Green was saddened when they told him they would not offer him a new contract, while the club agreed that they would let him go to another team mid-season if they offered him a contract beyond 2020.
But Green made his way to the Knights, even though they only wanted him for this season.
It turned out the Warriors did well that he left because Nikorima and Harris-Tavita were able to get to bed early in their combination. Still, it was disappointing for Green to quit like he did.
Mark Kolbe / Getty Images
The Warriors came out of quarantine to record a memorable victory over the Dragons.
The best game
Warriors 18 Dragons 0
Third round, May 30.
This is the first game after the NRL was closed and at this point the Warriors players were still wondering how long they would be in Australia, hardly anyone had their families with them, and the players had experienced the toughest block of any club in the NRL. .
There wasn’t much hope for how they would go against the Dragons, but not only did they convincingly defeat the Dragons, they also kept them scoreless.
Sadly for Warriors fans it didn’t last long and they returned to earth the following week with a 26-0 loss to the Panthers.
Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images
The Warriors were disarmed by the Warriors in the seventh round.
Worst game
Storm 50 Warriors 6
Round 7, June 26
There is no misfortune in losing to the Storm, but the manner of this capitulation was a low point.
It was Todd Payten’s first game as head coach and then he must have wondered what he had gotten into.
The Warriors trailed 22-0 at halftime and during a 16-minute stretch in the second half they conceded four attempts. Shaken by Kearney’s firing the week before, this was a Warriors team that had given up and clearly didn’t want to be there.
