Hugh McGahan: Warriors were good but not that good

What a complete over-reaction to a comment I made on radio last week, after the Warriors' against-all-odds win over the Broncos. It provoked a number of rugby league fanatics who do not take too well to anyone, especially a rugby league person, commenting without bias on the performance of the Warriors.

Yes, I may have been a little critical of one issue in the game but in general my comments were positive.

I believe I gave a balanced view on their performance last Saturday evening and in my opinion Stacey Jones did not have a great game. If it was not for him kicking six out of seven goals and scoring a try in the last 10 minutes, I thought his game was mediocre.

Stacey may well have had a better performance than the previous week but if that was Stacey Jones back to his very best, as portrayed, then the Warriors and the fans have a long season ahead of them. This was not the Stacey Jones of 1995 through to 2002 and you are kidding yourselves if you think it is.

We need Stacey to be an attacking weapon, not a defensive player who is scrambling because of missed tackles from others. If you asked Stacey, I am sure he would admit to not being totally happy with himself but I know he'd have been pleased with the improvement in his performance. You could see that with the wry smile that appeared as he got up after scoring his try.

I was very positive about the team's performance and highlighted four players of note: Steve Price and his leadership performance; Nathan Fien for his dogged play in the ruck area; Jerome Ropati who, after a shaky start, warmed to his role; and special mention of Louis Anderson who is the player every team needs - a rugged defender and constant menace to the opposition, in attack and defence. I cannot speak more highly of this kid.

How much was made of these comments I made from the same radio interview? Not much - as it was the negative which everyone wanted to highlight, especially the media. They wanted to talk up the team and make exaggerated accolades about the performance and certain players after just one win. I can guarantee that the same media won't hesitate to put the boot in if the team loses.

Look at the team and how they're performing in your eyes. Examine the big picture and give credit where credit is due but if you need to be critical, remember constructive criticism is meant to be just that. Those of you who want to have a crack at me, that's fine. Like me, you're entitled to your opinion.

Remember it was one win for the year and, as Tony Kemp said, there are 25 more games to play and there were positive signs. He will require an improved performance week to week and nothing less. I always had high expectations of myself as a player and was very rarely satisfied with a performance as there can always be room for improvement, always things to work on. Rightly or wrongly I expected this from everyone else and I still do; I make no apologies for it.

Good luck to the Warriors today as a win will make it a happier Easter for us all.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY