The Warriors enjoying one of their best ever campaigns was the biggest surprise in the NRL last season, as they finished one game short of the grand final.
Given the key parts of the roster remain unchanged and their draw looks favourable, expectations will be high this time around and the pressure dialed up a couple of notches in Auckland in 2024.
Here are the big talking points surrounding the Warriors ahead of the new season kicking off.
How will RTS go back in the NRL and in a new position?
Bringing their former captain, who happens to be a Dally M Medal and Golden Boot winner, back onto the books in 2024 is an overwhelmingly positive move for the Warriors, but there's questions surrounding the return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck nonetheless. RTS has never started a NRL game at centre, where he is set to play next season, and outside of brief periods filling in as injury cover he has no experience there. There are unlikely to be issues with ball in hand, but defensively it is arguably the most difficult place on the field to make correct reads and decisions. Having spent two full calendar years out of league, there will also be a big shift to make physically and mentally in order to be ready for a full NRL campaign. He's a renowned hard worker though and returning to pre-season training before Christmas will give him a big leg up too.
Remembering Roger: The best of RTS
Does Johnson have another peak season left?
In his 13th season in the top flight, Shaun Johnson enjoyed a late-career revival in 2023 that few players, especially halves, experience in the NRL. But at the age of 33 can he do it again? Having the same group of middle forwards laying a platform for him will help, but there must be some concern at Warriors HQ about how his body will hold up too. He got through most of last year unscathed before a calf injury impacted his final couple of games, and while his style of play has evolved to rely less on his physical gifts, the trademark footwork and ability to beat markers in one-on-one situations remains important. How SJ goes in 2024 will go a long way to deciding how the Warriors go.
NRL try time: Shaun Johnson
Can AFB find a new level as the game's top prop?
Now that we know he definitely will be playing for the Warriors in 2024, what will the club get from their leader of the pack? Last season he went toe-to-toe with Payne Haas in terms of being the game's best front-rower, finishing second behind the Brisbane enforcer in terms of metres gained by a forward and leading all players in post-contact metres. The form of AFB was a key reason the likes of Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad enjoyed such successful seasons, while a decent chunk of the plan in attack revolved around his ability to ball play too. The reasons for his request for a release on compassionate grounds in November are unlikely to have changed, but if Fonua-Blake can put that aside and play at his top level each week there's a good chance he becomes the No.1 big man in the NRL and the Warriors remain a genuine title contender.
Can Webster be as effective in year two?
After spending most of his phenomenal first season as a head coach working under the radar, Andrew Webster’s success in 2023 and subsequent Dally M Coach of the Year award will ensure he doesn't have that luxury next season. With a year of tape to review, opposition teams are sure to scrutinise the Warriors’ game plan more closely in 2024 and they’ll have a better feel for the tendencies Webster has a coach. Internally there will be new challenges too, as Webster seeks to keep his messaging effective and fresh among a group who responded well to it last year. A recent contract extension through until the end of 2028 means his future is secure, but Webster will be eager to show his contagious motivation is unchanged.
Webster's emotional acceptance speech after claiming coach of the year
What will the halves picture look like?
Five recognised halves on the roster for 2024 and little clarity on what, if any, role some of them will have to play at NRL level. Shaun Johnson and Te Maire Martin started and finished as the first-choice halves combination, although Luke Metcalf was injured for most of that time and never had genuine chance to challenge them, despite performing well in 12 games during Martin's stint out with a broken leg. There's also Chanel Harris-Tavita, who the club have brought back after he spent a year out of the game. Best known as a half, the 24-year-old is extremely versatile and could end up being repurposed as a bench utility. The odd-man-out, for now at least, appears to be Ronald Volkman after he was overlooked in favour of Dylan Walker on several occasions last year when there were vacancies in the halves.
Luke Metcalf's rise continues