Set of six: An unusual buzz at training

Thomas Leuluai of the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

There was a strange object hovering in the sky at Mt Smart. The Warriors are trialling the use of a drone at training sessions. Performance analyst Adam Sadler said the club were looking into what benefits it can bring as the drone provides a view of the players from above. It's reportedly been trialled by the Kangaroos and Brisbane Broncos and can reach speeds of up 75km/h.

Leuluai's back but in trouble
It was great to see Thomas Leuluai's face at Mt Smart again as he works on his recovery from the ACL injury he suffered in May. He was back in the gym with his teammates and shooting hoops in a basketball net but one member of the Warriors' backroom staff was quick to remind Leuluai of his heavily strapped knee as he was lining up shots.

Friend shirt goes for $3110
Mick Fanning fighting off a shark is the only other sports story that's given more than Nathan Friend's back flip pass. A framed upside-down Friend jersey was put up on Trade Me last Thursday for a week-long auction. It fetched $3110.

Stat of the week
The Warriors 24-0 loss to the Roosters was the first time they've been held scoreless since Melbourne Storm won 30-0 at Mt Smart in round 26 in 2009. That year the Warriors finished 14th.

Quote of the week
Channel 9 reports suggest Manly are set for a huge clearout after an awful 2015 campaign. There's been no official word from anyone but one of the players who's reportedly set to be released is Matt Ballin and his tweet adds further intrigue to the mystery. He said:

Thanks all the @SeaEagles supporters for your kind words and support over the past few days. Nothing has changed for me. I love the Eagles

— Matt Ballin (@mattballin9) July 22, 2015

Game of the week
The Storm's 52-10 thrashing of Penrith last weekend ended a four-match losing streak and another side desperate to arrest a bad run is the Dragons who've lost six in a row. The teams meet at McLean Park in Napier this weekend and it's the first time two NRL games will be played in New Zealand on the same day.

Clock pressure
Wayne Bennett wants pressure put on video referees and not just players. He believes the new changes, a shot clock for drop outs and interchanges reduced from 10 to eight, will be undermined unless time constraints are also put on the video referee.