The Webster Effect: The secret to untapping the Warriors’ success

by Tiffany Salmond

Warriors coach Andrew Webster.
Photo: Photosport

Ivan Cleary was the last coach to turn the notoriously unpredictable Warriors into a rugby league powerhouse. But it’s been a turbulent decade since he handed over the reins to a stream of unsuccessful hopefuls looking to replicate his tenure.

Eight different coaches have tried their luck but not one of them figured out how to unleash that distinctive Warriors magic on a consistent basis. Until now, that is.

Whether a coincidence or calculated move, poaching Ivan Cleary’s understudy – Andrew Webster from the Penrith Panthers – was a clever decision which has already paid off. It appears the incumbent Warriors head coach has cracked the code. Either that, or he learnt from the best.

The Warriors have always had the skill – it’s been their lack of consistency that’s resulted in poor performances.

So what was the difference in 2002 and 2011 that turned them into an 80-minute team, capable of reaching grand final status?

Every armchair expert thought they had the key to success. Whether it was relocating to Australia full time or filling the roster with hard-nosed Aussie players, the club wasn’t lacking in unsolicited advice. But the answer was clear all along, the Warriors needed a coach who was calm and supportive yet capable of providing an environment which fostered self-belief and confidence.

Cleary has a reputation for being a soft-spoken man of few words. Discussing the Premiership-winning coach, North Queensland Cowboys prop James Tamou gave an insight into Cleary’s laid-back approach.

“He’ll just sit back during the week at training and come in when he needs to, at captain’s run and during the game,” Tamou said.

“That just goes to show his words have more weight.

“When he talks, you know you have to listen, because you know it’s going to be good.”

Ivan Cleary has a reputation for being a soft-spoken man of few words.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

A 2009 opinion piece on Stuff acknowledged the impressive turn-around Cleary had had on the playing group, but the writer seemed baffled over how he did it, describing him as, “emotive as a Grecian statue, as excitable as a corpse”.

Former Warrior Wairangi Koopu has seen up close up why Cleary’s demeanour gelled so well with the club’s players.

“I’ve only once ever seen him blow up, and even then, he knew it wasn’t his style to rant and rave.”

“It’s an approach that works quite well, especially with the Polynesian boys, who don’t react too well to abusive-type coaching: so, it is definitely one of his positives.”

Former Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown was recruited in 2021.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2021

Former Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown was recruited in 2021 to steer the team in the right direction.

Brown appeared to be a no-nonsense, hard-headed figure who planned to whip the underperforming Warriors men into shape. For some teams this could have been the wake up call they needed, but for the Warriors it only served to crush any morale they had left.

After a loss to the Gold Coast Titans, Brown didn’t hold back his disappointment.

“It was just really poor, not good enough. Not good enough if you want to win games.

“We’re past trying to develop players, we want to win bloody games of footy and that wasn’t acceptable. A not good enough start.”

A few weeks later, he put his players on blast again. After a mortifying 70-10 Anzac Day demolition by Melbourne Storm, he scolded a few of his unnamed stars for bad attitude and lack of effort.

“I have been in this game a long time and it is disappointing to sit here and say that, but some people looked for the easiest way out they could and that is sad,” he said.

“I’m not going to sit here and make any statements about doing certain things now to players. I’m pretty clear about what I think happened and what I know happened.

“There’s going to be some strong messages to certain individuals. There’s no doubt about that, you can’t hide from that.”

You could say this was a fair reaction after witnessing the most staggering defeat in the club’s history, but was publicly reprimanding them after suffering a humiliating loss the most effective way to improve their performance?

Unsurprisingly, this approach only served to ensure the Warriors continued to underperform, lose all faith in themselves and were most likely desperate for the season to be over. They weren’t the only ones.

Midway through 2022, Brown resigned after being unable to commit to a long term move to New Zealand. The season was later branded one of the worst in the club’s history. It was a year for breaking records – just not the ones they wanted.

Fast forward to 2023 and the Warriors are no longer the fumbling and inconsistent team spectators had got used to. Each week the Warriors demonstrate they are a playing unit that is not only slick but has direction and, most importantly, they look to be enjoying themselves – something I couldn’t have said last year.

Webster has tapped into the dormant magic by finding the perfect balance between discipline and encouragement by creating a space where constructive feedback is looked upon as an opportunity to be better, rather than to shame.

“As a group, we can keep each other accountable – in a really respectful way,” he said.

“Our job as coaches is to put things in perspective. But it is all coming from a good place in terms of feedback and acceptance. We need to move on and get better. Don’t let that moment on the field define you.”

His impact was evident in round 5. When trailing 20-0, they used pure emotional grit to pull off a shocking 32-30 win at Shark Park. Shaun Johnson described the scenes in the changing room at half-time – which was a far cry from a Craig Bellamy style spray.

“We spoke about it at half time like do we actually believe we can come out here and do it?

“We were like, what a story it would be to tell our grandkids about this one day. Let’s just go out and have a crack.” Johnson continued between animated profanities.

“We’re so resilient bro!”

The Andrew Webster effect.

Who knew a little bit of respect, kindness and encouragement was the secret ingredient the Warriors needed all along?

Whether this is the Warriors’ year or not, there’s no denying Andrew Webster has started something special. The team are are shaping up to be strong top eight contenders, but if that’s as far as they go, then maybe next year will be their year.

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