OPINION: The NRL season is just around the corner, so what can we expect from the Warriors in 2017?
Let's take a look at a few season previews from across the Tasman.
Fox Sports News: "They have the best possible recruits and all the potential in the world. You've got one of the best attacking sides in the league. It's time to make something of it all."
ABC: "The Warriors' backline shapes as one of the most dangerous in the NRL. As a consensus, we have the Warriors finishing fifth, but it wouldn't surprise to see them in the top four with the line-up of talent at their disposal."
Sydney Morning Herald: "Some of the most exciting talent in the NRL, this could finally be the season the Warriors fulfil their potential."
Andrew Johns: "The Warriors have a fearsome pack… On their day they are capable of tearing any side apart."
Hang on - those are a collection of quotes from the last four seasons.
Each publication picked the Warriors to finish in the top eight, and every time they failed. Notice a pattern developing? The Warriors always start the season looking good, at least on paper. And then the rollercoaster begins, generally coming off the rails and ending in a fiery heap.
So why will this season be any different?
Again, the addition of Foran (once he's eventually cleared to play) gives the Warriors a big offseason signing. He'll join a backline featuring Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, which ticks the "potent backline" box. As always they'll have a hard charging forward pack and have loads of potential.
Ah, potential. So often unfulfilled.
If this was the NBA you'd possibly think the Warriors were tanking. At least the Philadelphia 76ers are getting a few good draft picks.
The truth is we don't know what's going to happen. The club has made another coaching change, and fingers crossed Stephen Kearney can make a difference. And pray for a relatively injury-free season.
But I'll leave the final word to Fox Sports' 2017 season preview: "Bookmark this page - the Warriors will finish in the top four in 2017."
Here we go again.
Greg Pearson is a Newshub sports journalist.
