If you’re a diehard Warriors fan in need of encouragement after last weekend’s NRL finals exit at the hands of the Panthers, then listen up.
Former coach Matthew Elliott reckons this team isn’t just building for the future. They’re nearly there.
The Warriors have steadily developed into a competitive club since the appointment of coach Andrew Webster.
The incredible success of 2023 by finishing in the top four was offset somewhat by last year’s pitiful campaign by comparison. But 2025’s 14-10 record - good enough for sixth and a home finals match - shows the club’s progress is genuine.
That rebound has been thanks - in large part - to some exciting young talent and the halfback of the future (Luke Metcalf) putting his hand up. It’s restored faith for a club that has endured too many false starts since 1995.
Elliott agrees.
“I think they will be [a genuine title contender] going forward. I thought the disruption they got through injury this year had a major impact," he told DSPN.
"Have a look at the Bulldogs when they fiddled with their spine without losing someone [to injury]. It really impacted their continuity and flow.
“Some of the young players coming through - I mean, wow. I just sit back and go, I can’t wait to see them fully developed as players… they’re taking the game to a new level.”
Not many expected the Warriors to achieve what they did in 2025, and the likelihood they can match or better those feats in 2026 may be seen as unrealistic.
But Elliott - who coached the club in 2013 and 2014 - notes they weren’t the only team written off by NRL media and fans before the season began.
“Look at the Canberra Raiders. Some people were tipping them for the wooden spoon… if you're winning the tipping contest, you don’t know anything about footy."
Elliott also talked about what makes the Warriors different to coaching gigs at Aussie clubs like Canberra or Penrith, the other two NRL sides he has been a head coach of.
“The clubs that do really, really well are not just about the playing group or the coaches - it’s about the club,” he said. “What the Warriors have… is the access to talent. It’s amazing.”
“Everyone’s got talent in the NRL… [but] what Penrith do - they teach their 15-year-olds not to win under-15s comps, they teach their 16-year-olds not to win under-16s. They teach them to be NRL players.
“That’s the approach I believe is being taken now... I’m starting to witness that in New Zealand.”
“I said this when I was in New Zealand - and I believe it’s overdue - the Warriors should be that good that the NRL has got no choice but to put another team in New Zealand… I’ve witnessed the talent… if the Warriors can execute what I believe they are doing, they’ll have no choice at all.”
Elliott’s excitement about young talent in rugby league stretches beyond the Warriors. He is buzzing over what he is seeing across the entire NRL right now, with the next generation lighting up footy fields and TV screens.
Elliott uses Broncos fullback Reece Walsh’s performance against the Raiders last weekend as an example.
“I just thought that last 20 minutes from Reece Walsh… you don’t see better footy than that from an individual. Every time he touched the ball… his team lifted.
“I’ve never seen a better game. There may be some as good, but I’ve never seen a better game than that.
“People complain about the adaptations of the rules, but our rule-makers have ensured the game evolves in a way that allows us to witness what you just talked about... our rule-makers are always looking for ways to engage our fans.”
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