After 11 rounds of NRL action, the highly fancied New Zealand Warriors sit on four wins and seven losses, with a points differential of -61, and a grand total of zero away wins.

That is not pretty reading for any NRL side, let alone one with such a talented playing roster featuring the all international spine of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Kieran Foran, Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke.

Friday night's performance against the Dragons will once again have long-suffering Warriors fans pulling their hair out, as they were battered and bruised, and ultimately slaughtered to the tune of 30-14.

This was the side's second loss to the Dragons in 2017, and unfortunately a reminder of just how bad this side can be sometimes.

Frustratingly this is the same side, who just three weeks ago, beat the high flying Roosters in a thriller, and pushed premiership favourites the Storm all the way on ANZAC day.

Simply put, despite an all star playing roster, and a new and successful coach at the helm, the Warriors have failed to click in 2017 with any degree of consistency.

To this date, the Warriors four wins have come in the form of a late win over wooden spoon morals the Knights, back to back solid wins over the Titans and Eels, and the aforementioned late win over the Roosters.

12 points has been their biggest winning margin, and only the win over the Roosters came against a side with a winning record in 2017.

That is downright horrible considering the ridiculous attacking talent at their disposal.

Shaun Johnson, on his day, is as close to unstoppable as any player in the modern era. When he wants to, he can carve sides apart, and looks as though he's got spiders on him such is the reluctance of defenders to tackle him.

RTS was once the premier fullback in the game, and has the potential to hold that mantle once again, and for a long time.

Issac Luke has plenty of accomplishments, yet is yet to re-find the form that made him a Rabbitohs hero.

Kieran Foran is one of the game's elite playmakers and looks to have finally overcome his off field concerns in the process of earning his Kiwi test jumper back.

Throw in Simon Mannering, Solomone Kata, David Fusitua, Jacon Lillyman and a host of youngsters coming off the most successful NYC production line in the competition's history, and there is plenty there to work with.

Yet the results, once again, just aren't coming.

At times in 2016, the Warriors looked like world beaters. At other times, they were lucky the Knights were so bad, or they'd be dragged into a genuine wooden spoon battle.

Much was blamed on Andrew McFadden, but his replacement in Stephen Kearney is yet to unlock the secret just yet either.

BUT ... hope it not lost for those across the Tasman just yet, as the next two-or-so months presents an ideal opportunity for the Warriors to kick start their 2017 title charge.

Whilst Jacob Lillyman is a real chance to nab a bench spot for the Maroons, the Warriors will otherwise be unaffected by the interstate series.

They are one of very few clubs that will be able to field a full strength side should Lillyman be overlooked.

This presents a chance to do some real damage during a time the Warriors usually do find their feet and start a run toward September footy.

First up is a home clash against the Broncos, who again be heavily depleted due to Origin.

Darius Boyd, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire are QLD certainties, while Corey Oates looks as though he may beat out Test winger Valentine Holmes for the wing spot. James Roberts and Anthony Milford are both a shot at making their Origin debuts also.

The Warriors should fancy their chances against a side missing three of their run on forwards, as well as their all important fullback and likely their best attacking winger.

Although they have the bye in the second pre-Origin weekend, they will host the Bulldogs just two days after Origin two. Given the short turnaround and length of the away trip, players such as Josh Jackson and Brett Morris will be at long odds to be fully prepared.

A post Origin three clash, yet another home game, comes against a Panthers side who could be heavily Origin affected. As it stands probably only Petter Walace is a genuine shot of Origin selection, but in eight weeks, the likes of Tamou, Mansour, Moylan, Merrin and possibly even Peachey could have worked their way into contention, especially should the series be dead by then.

No matter how little the advantages on offer, the Warriors have to take them.

They've hardly been decimated by injuries thus far, although they have suffered their share as most sides have, and really, they're running out of excuses.

The next nine weeks need to count big time, or the Warriors 2017 season will be resigned to yet another season of what may have been.

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