Emergence of rookies a bright spark in gloomy year

The Warriors have missed the finals for the seventh time in eight years, but the rookies unearthed in 2019 are one positive to emerge from a disappointing season.

Coach Stephen Kearney handed Telstra Premiership debuts to five players this season and back-rower Josh Curran was used after having been signed from the Roosters with one NRL game to his name.  

Twenty-year-old Chanel Harris-Tavita was the pick of the bunch, making his debut in round four and playing most of the back half of the season as both a starting five-eighth and interchange utility.

Solid first seasons from centre Patrick Herbert, playmaker Adam Keighran and utility back Adam Pompey mean there will be no shortage of nominees for the club's Rookie of the Year award. 

"I think that's been a real positive for us, there's no doubt," Kearney said of the rookies.

"Chanel stands out, I think Adam Keighran has had his moments too, Patrick, Adam [Pompey] has been a real positive for us.

"I think Josh Curran is going to offer us something for sure, Jacko [prop Jackson Frei] who is playing in the reserve team, with a good injury-free pre-season under his belt he is going to be of real value to us as well.

"I am encouraged by those kids and their development.

"Provided we identify where they need to be better and they have a commitment to making sure [they want to get better]."

After suffering ligament damage in his left arm last week, Harris-Tavita is one of several Warriors likely to require off-season surgery.

The Warriors have used 30 players at NRL level in a season marred by injuries.  

Lock Jazz Tevaga also visited a surgeon this week to assess his ongoing ankle injury, with Kearney issuing a stern warning about the need for him to adjust the way he plays the game if he is to preserve his body.

"I saw Jazz at training [Tuesday]. He's got both thumbs strapped up, fingers strapped up, elbows strapped, obviously the issue with his ankle, he dislocated his collarbone earlier [in the season]," Kearney said.

"The reality for Jazz is that he's playing in a position where the average [weight] if you're looking around the NRL is 105kgs minimum and getting up to 120kgs… and he plays at just over 90kgs.

"Over the course of time, it's going to take its toll on someone like Jazz.

"We have got to help him evolve his game so that doesn't become such an issue ... so we're not having him getting smashed all the time.

"There's a place for [smaller middle forwards] in the game, you look at [Victor] Radley, you look at [Cameron] Murray."

Ahead of facing Canberra on Saturday night, halfback Blake Green said last month's 46-12 thrashing at the hands of the Raiders remains fresh in playing group's minds.

"It was probably the start of [our downfall], it knocked us over that one," Green said of the Raiders loss.  

"They're flying, playing some really good football ... we struggled to handle them last time.

"Obviously we haven't really got anything to play for but our own personal pride.

"Everyone is pretty deflated about where our position is in the season."