Ins
Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2023), Kane Evans (Parramatta Eels, 2022), Addin Fonua-Blake (Manly Sea Eagles, 2023), Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2022), Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warrington Wolves, 2023), Sean O'Sullivan (Brisbane Broncos, 2021), Bayley Sironen (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2023)
Outs
Daniel Alvaro (St George Illawarra Dragons), Gerard Beale (Retired), Adam Blair (Retired), Lachlan Burr (North Queensland Cowboys), Poasa Faamausili (St George Illawarra Dragons), Blake Green (Newcastle Knights), Patrick Herbert (Gold Coast Titans), Jack Hetherington (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), George Jennings (Melbourne Storm), Adam Keighran (Sydney Roosters), Taane Milne (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Agnatius Paasi (St Helens RLFC), Isaiah Papali'i (Parramatta Eels), Nathaniel Roache (Parramatta Eels)
The Warriors had a more than decent season on field and a tremendous season off-field in 2020. Considering they were required to shift across the Tasman and set up camp for almost the entire season, they played fantastically.
The way the Warriors were able to shift their side almost weekly was unbelievable. After losing their superstar wing combination and multiple other players due to a variety of reasons, the Warriors cycled loan players through to fill needs.
Tohu Harris had arguably a career best year. Considering what he has achieved across his career to date, that's saying something. He was chosen in the Dally M Team of the Year as the best second-rower in 2020.
RTS did everything within his power to keep his side motoring on the field and together off it. He went far and beyond any call of duty. For a Warriors side who entered the season as wooden spoon favourites only to overcome everything that was thrown at them and still be in the final's hunt with three weeks to go, is downright incredible.
The Warriors have seen a MASSIVE turnover in players this off-season. The aforementioned list is slightly deceiving as it includes the players who exit after being loaned to the club, but there's still a substantial turnover.
Addin Fonua-Blake is the big in. He offers an immediate enforcer capable of big minutes and even bigger metres. BMM is also a big recruit (literally) who will help reshape their forward pack. Both acquisitions add the intimidation they lacked in 2020.
Kane Evens and Bayley Sironen are both clever inclusions who will offer plenty from the bench. I was shocked that Souths let the latter go. He's going to provide tremendous value to the new look Warriors. Euan Aitken offers an experienced option in the centres.
In terms of a balance sheet I think the Warriors come out in front. Two genuine monster forwards, a very talented outside back and two impactful forwards more than make up for what was lost. Good signs.
See Zero Tackle's own Dan Nichols over at Rugby League Outlaws.
On the road again: The Warriors face the very real possibility of spending a second full season away from home. It's hard to imagine the difficulty of not being able to sleep in your own bed for nine months, let alone not seeing your closest family and friends.
The squad were super tight last year and largely able to overcome every hurdle thrown at them, but lost two strike weapon wingers halfway through the season due to them having to return home.
You can't begrudge players wanting to head home, especially those with young families. Hopefully it won't last the full season but until international travel is allowed and quarantine is dropped, the Warriors are here to stay.
Who replaces RTS?: News broke a few weeks earlier that RTS will leave the club at the completion of the 2021 season. That loss is tough to put into words. Not only is he, by far, the Warriors best player, but he's also the face of the club and their influential leader.
It's eight months away but it's a question that needs to be answered. I expect the Warriors to be super aggressive in the player market. Will it prove a distraction or will it bring the team together to try and send their leader out on the back of a finals appearance?
Big, big forwards: The Warriors built their early reputation on a massive, aggressive forward pack. You knew when you were playing the Warriors that you were going to be belted from siren to siren.
The Warriors enter 2021 with a big, aggressive pack. AFB and BMM are legit monsters. This could go one of two ways. Either the Warriors dominate the middle and allow their outside backs to run riot, or the Warriors forwards fall victim to the second season of new rules and become soft in the middle. The answer to this will largely dictate their early season.
13th
The Warriors welcome back their superstar wingers in Fusitu'a and Maumalo, which immediately makes them a stronger side. That back three with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are arguably the most lethal in the competition.
They've also recruited well bringing in four forwards who will play big minutes.
Unfortunately for the Warriors though they really lack potency in the key positions. Nikorima had a far improved 2020 season but will have to re-find his very best form if the Warriors are to feature come finals time.
With all due respect to Wayde Egan and Chanel Harris-Tavita, both clever, young players, neither will have opposition coaches up at night.
This Warriors outfit contains plenty of talent and I don't see them having too many troubles scoring tries, however I just don't see the creativity to push the more established sides.
The forwards look strong but I'm a little worried about the effects of the new rules. Nathan Brown has had a long time to put his plan in place, so I trust he knows what he is doing.
There will be some big wins and there will be highlight reel tries, but unfortunately there won't be a finals appearance in 2021.