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OPINION: In what has been a season like no other, the Warriors continue to defy the odds and continue to hunt for a playoff spot.
The 36-6 win over the Knights on Saturday was their biggest win of the season and took them to ninth on the ladder.
Being that tall would have been unthinkable a couple months ago, but they’ve won four of their last five games and still have a chance to chase the Sharks, who beat the Cowboys later Saturday night, to finish eighth.
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It’s been an outstanding last five weeks for the Warriors, notching up four wins.
Nobody should say that the Warriors can win the Premiership, but given everything they’ve been through, that they don’t need to repeat themselves, they deserve medals for reaching eight.
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They have four games left this season and their streak is tough, but not impossible.
They then play the Eels, who lost 38-0 to the Rabbitohs on Thursday. Then there are the games against the Sharks, Raiders and Sea Eagles.
Todd Payten, who the Cowboys would be crazy if they didn’t hire as their coach next season, said Stuff on the week he wanted the Warriors to stop having slow starts to games and that’s exactly what he got, with his team jumping to an 8-0 lead.
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Tamworth became part of the Warriors Nation on Saturday.
While they conceded a try in the 18th minute to Gehamat Shibasaki, they maintained their form, held solid down the middle and deserved this victory.
Nathan Brown would have been an interesting observer for this game, seeing the team that he played a major role in building on, taking on the club he will be in charge of next season.
Looking at the teams in this game and how they are likely to line up in 2021, Brown could probably feel lucky that he was fired last year and what he’s inheriting.
Sometimes earlier this season, the Warriors looked nothing like a first-grade team, but over the weeks, they have steadily improved, to the point of being one of the fittest teams in the NRL. .
This victory was not like defeating the Bulldogs who were in last place: the Knights had won their previous three games and were looking for a result in the top four. But in reality, they were never in this one.
From the start of the season, it was clear that Eliesa Katoa was a rare find for the club, but in recent weeks players such as Jack Murchie, Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, Kodi Nikorima and Karl Lawton have also stepped up.
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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck continues to inspire the Warriors.
They have lost Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu’a, Blake Green and Jack Hetherington, but they haven’t missed a beat.
The Warriors are playing as a team, something that has often not been the case at this club.
Last season and early this season, the Warriors’ unwritten game plan by players was to give Roger Tuivasa-Sheck the ball, step back, and watch him do something special.
But this season has not been just about the fullback, he has been outstanding the last two weeks, but statistically it has not been a major factor in whether they win or lose.
During the first 13 games of the season, he had scored just one try and had the same number of try assists. But his value to this team goes further.
Being the only player who is still separated from his family shows his commitment to the club, which is his heartbeat, the leader and sets the standards that others are expected to meet.
If Halberg awards were ever given to league players, which has never been done, then surely Tuivasa-Sheck deserves it this year.
If the Warriors end up losing all eight, there should be no drowning calls, or the same old story with the Warriors.
Something special is happening to this club and Brown should be licking his lips about what the next season awaits.
