Israel Dagg: It's not Chanel Harris-Tavita's fault the Warriors lost, so lay off him

07/21/2024 08:30 PM

If you haven't played the game and you haven't got any words of advice on what Chanel Harris-Tavita might have done better to kick the ball over, then zip it. It's plain and simple.

This is a young kid that stepped away from the game a couple of years ago because of these kinds of reactions and I wouldn't be surprised if he does it again.

Sport is what we do, it doesn't define us and I'm not going to lay blame on Chanel for costing us that game.

There were injuries throughout the game, Chanel probably didn't kick many goals during the week. He's stepping into that moment trying to put his team in position to go to golden point. He'd shanked one before, didn't connect well. He had a lot going through his mind, didn't hit the ball like he was hoping, and he missed it.

People going on social media blaming Chanel and just being absolutely nasty about him really need to take a good look in the mirror. What are you doing that is going to be better for this kid who is wearing his heart on his sleeve, playing for a team that you love?

To just go out there and say, 'you're shocking, you cost us the game' – he's already thinking that. He already knows that. He's going through so much in his mind, in his own head and for people to just smash down and double down on that situation, is an absolute copout, and I just can't stand it. I can't understand it. I never will.

I've been on that side. It sucks. You start questioning who you are morally. You start questioning, why should I even play this game? It's a game of sport. There's one winner, there's one loser. The Warriors lost. It sucks.

But don't go blaming Chanel.

A few weeks ago, when he scored a double against the Broncos, he was the best man out there. You're all rubbing his back. Now, when he goes wrong, you go out there and you throw him out to the wolves. It's something I can't understand. I'm not shy of having an opinion, but I'll try and reason with it.

That 20 minutes at the start is what cost the Warriors. Going down 14-0 to start a game and having to fight back to get the job done.

You look at the positives – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, I thought he was outstanding at fullback. Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett coming back from Origin were so good backing up for their team, because they love that team and they love representing those colours. Without that team, they wouldn't have an opportunity to play Origin.

It's a tough season for Andrew Webster and co. Injuries, high expectations, the pressure from the public. It was always going to be tough. Tough to follow on from last year because teams saw what the Warriors were doing last year, figured them out, and teams that have to go from good to great have to be able to evolve and move forward.

I think we just wrap our arms around Chanel. I'm going to go to the game this weekend. I'm going to get right behind the Wahs and see if they can get one at home against the Tigers.