New Zealand Warriors 2024 season review
Overview
After a stunning 2023 in which they secured a top-four finish and came within 80 minutes of the Grand Final, the Warriors came back down to earth with a bump in 2023.
The Auckland side have often struggled with inconsistency, and that was the case again this year. They managed to win three on the bounce a couple of times, but much of the season felt like one step forward and two back.
They finished the season with four losses in their last five games, which killed any faint hopes of a late finals charge. They did at least sign off the year with a win over the Sharks though, and fittingly, Shaun Johnson, provided the match-winning assist in his final ever match.
Highs
That win over the Sharks in round 26 was a great way to send Shaun Johnson off into retirement. The Warriors legend finished his stellar career as the club’s highest ever points scorer, and fourth in the all-time appearances list.
There were some big wins throughout the year as well. The 4-34 defeat of the Rabbitohs in Sydney laid down an early marker in round five, and their 12-42 win in Townsville against the Cowboys was another highlight. Not to mention, their narrow 22-20 win over the Panthers in Magic Round.
The biggest high of the year came off the pitch though, as the Warriors sold out every home game in 2024 and set a new total attendance record for the club. No doubt, this came off the back of their impressive 2023 campaign, so hopefully they can post big numbers again next year, despite a disappointing 2024.
Lows
Where else to start but round 16? The Warriors’ 66-6 loss on the Gold Coast was the club’s second-biggest defeat of all time and came completely out of the blue, after they’d won three of their previous four games.
And after such a strong 2023 season, they’ll be very disappointed they never really got close to finals this year. They sat in the top eight briefly for a couple of rounds early in the season, but most of the campaign was spent well outside it.
Reasons to be positive in 2025
Aside from their hammering on the Gold Coast, most of the Warriors’ games were pretty close. In fact, half of their 14 defeats were by single digits, including two Golden Point losses, so they weren’t a million miles away from climbing the ladder.
Superstar Kiwi forward, James Fisher-Harris, is also on his way to the club next year, and his signing will be huge. Add in the feel-good factor around the team with the sell-out crowds in 2024, and there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful for next year.
My 2024 prediction – 13th
Final 2024 position – 13th
I’m delighted to say I was spot on with this one! I just had a feeling the Warriors had overperformed in 2023, and this year we’d see them finish in a more ‘typical’ position for them. That said, I think they’re a better side than their final position suggests, and I’d expect them to climb the ladder in 2025.
