I’ve been tempted to write something about the Warriors for a few months now. They’ve had a hellova good season so far which has seen them reach the NRL play-offs for the first time since 2018.

Recently they’ve had a bit of a lull in form, injuries to key players have had a lot to do with that. One week out from the play-offs both first choice halves were carrying serious niggles. Both our key playmakers well below 100% fitness with hamstring and calf injuries.

The two key playmakers have been taken off the field of battle for a fortnight now, fingers crossed both Luke Metcalf and Sean Johnson are fit enough to play in this Saturday’s ‘do-or-die’ semifinal vs the Newcastle Knights at home at Mt Smart Stadium.

Fourth (Warriors) vs Fifth (Knights). On paper there is very little between the two teams, one more win in the bank for the Warriors than the Knights. The Knights also have had a draw after failing to score in golden point, which Sean Johnson twice made sure did not happen to the Warriors this season. He has done that at least six times over the years for the Warriors (to the best of my recall) – slotting crucial golden point drop goals to win matches under blow torch pressure for the Auckland club.

Sean Johnson knows how to handle pressure. I’m extremely hopeful, and cautiously optimistic, he’ll be back directing the Warriors attacking play around the field this Saturday.

I’m not going to analyse the team at this point in the season. I’m not going to focus on individuals. Every title winning team needs stars in order to make the play-offs and brilliance from their stars to win a title. The Warriors have those.

They also have plenty of hard working, grafting, roll up your sleeves, hard carrying, hard hitting, disciplined, reliable contributors – plenty of those. You have to have the right balance of flair, skill, discipline, steel and grit.

We have a team that more often than not has combined all of the above attributes into a very successful mix this season. A mix that is definitely good enough to win the next two sudden death matches and then win in our third attempt at a NRL final.

I think we will definitely win this Saturday. I am confident. The energy of playing at home in front of what will be a full house, will energise and inspire the fellas and they will re-ignite with some really incisive attacking footy and putting their best defensive effort out there again.

If you are good enough to make a grand final, you are good enough to win a final. That elusive achievement is within reach. It is definitely achievable.