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Feleti Mateo of the Warriors - Source: Photosport -
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With high hopes for 2012 and the tough slog of the pre-season under their belts, the Warriors know full-well that the real hard work is all ahead of them, starting this Saturday night with their opening trial match against the Gold Coast Titans.
The Warriors have named a potent squad for the match with eleven of last years grand final team to feature along with newcomer Nathan Friend and six faces from last years champion Toyota Cup Under 20's side, with everyone pleased to see the footy season finally arrive.
"It's good to finally get a weekend with a game instead of a weekend of training," smiled ball-playing backrower Feleti Mateo, after the Warriors squad completed a lengthy ball session under the hot February sun.
"It's been tough, we've done the hard yards and done what we had to do."
"We've got the same squad so there's no reason we cant go as far as we did and I'm sure that everyone here is quietly confident that we can."
Five-eighth James Maloney insists the players are not thinking too far ahead of themselves or about where they might end up in October, rather he says they need to focus on achieving their own high standards each week which would go a long way to bringing the desired results.
"Obviously what we did last year counts for nothing so it's back to square one and we've got to make sure we do all the little things we did last year to put ourselves in the same sort of position and if we could go one better it'd be lovely," the straight talking Aussie explained.
Taste for Finals
Injured lock, Micheal Luck, is still four to six weeks away from returning from shoulder surgery but is excited about the year ahead and believes the experience of last years finals campaign should give his teammates every incentive to be there again at the business end of this season.
"I suppose we've got a taste for what its like as a group," Luck explained.
"That's all the motivation you need, is that we were there but we were in the wrong dressing room after the game. We want the trophy in our one."
"It's a long year and I think if we start the trials well and try to improve every week, you'll give yourself every chance to be there at that last game."
Heading that cause for the Warriors now, of course, is new coach Brian McClennan, with the senior players all speaking admirably of the qualities he has bought to the role.
"It's good. He's very easy to deal with and we've been enjoying things under him and with a few new ideas that can only help," said Maloney.
Expansive play
When pressed to explain, Maloney hinted that Warriors fans may enjoy watching a more open style of play to what was preferred under the reigns of former coach, Ivan Cleary.
"Just a few new concepts and little tweaks here and there, play a little bit more expansive footy maybe, but we're just building on what he is showing us and trying to piece it all together."
Mateo lauded McClennan's ability to not only get a player 'up' for a game but to motivate him to play for his teammates, as one of the strengths among his coaching philosophies.
"I like him, mate. A different character to Ivan, he's a passionate guy who loves his footy and I think it will show through in the way we play this season."
"He instills a lot of onus on everyone individually to turn up and play for each other and I think if you've got that set in the team then it'll go a long way to winning most games and in tight games that's what you want - someone next to you that will play for you."
Luck said the players are excited to begin implementing all that they had learned and been training on over the summer months and the final pieces of the warriors 2012 jigsaw would be put into place over the next three week's trial games.
"The trial period is where we want to put all of these structures that we've refined a bit under Bluey into practice and make sure everyone gets a good amount of game time."
Maloney echoed Luck's words, saying the Titans match has value in it beyond merely getting the win and getting one over on a team they will meet again in round four.
"Obviously it's important to get ourselves organised and get what we're doing together.
"I think this Titans side we play will be very different from what we'll see in round four so from that point of view it's not that important but for what we want to achieve and getting our season off to a good start it is very important."
Mateo agreed, saying the trial presents an opportunity for the team to work on their organisation but believes match fitness will be the main positive to come from the game.
"It'll be good to get our systems in place and our game plan and get a good start before we see them again in round four.
"But I think it's important probably individually to get our fitness up.
"You can train as long as you like but nothing compares to a game."
