In-form playmaker Shaun Johnson has produced yet more magic to guide the Warriors to a 28-14 win over Melbourne in a pulsating NRL contest in Auckland.
In an encounter featuring some spectacular tries on Sunday, Johnson’s effort with 13 minutes to go halted a dangerous Storm fightback.
With just six points separating the teams, the halfback’s light feet took him past three defenders for his fourth four-pointer in the past three matches.
The win before a 17,278 crowd was the Warriors’ third in a row and cemented their spot in the top eight.
It also lifts them above Melbourne, who have lost five of their past six fixtures.
The Warriors had three front-liners, bulldozing runners Manu Vatuvei (shoulder) and Konrad Hurrell (arm), and NSW Origin second-rower Ryan Hoffman (calf), missing from the originally named side.
Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk sounded a warning with a 40-20 from the game’s first set.
But it was the Warriors who began to dominate the early exchanges and they hit the front when winger Tuimoala Lolohea finished off a long-range attack.
David Fusitu’a, in for Hurrell, then produced one of his signature spectacular put-downs to grab the Warriors’ second try.
Hard-working back-rower Bodene Thompson increased the margin by powering his way over and Johnson’s second conversion made it 16-0 at halftime.
Melbourne had their opportunities, particularly as the Warriors began turning over the ball in their own territory.
But they came up against some solid defence, with winger Richie Kennar twice denied.
The Storm finally profited from being given good field position from another Warriors turnover, Cronk’s cross-kick gathered in by winger Marika Koroibete for a try.
Yet another home side error was punished by prop Kenny Bromwich barging over.
The Warriors then came up with an outrageous response.
Hooker Nathan Friend gathered in a kick, then delivered a pass between his legs as he fell over Bromwich’s back.
Johnson continued the attack with a back-flip pass and Lolohea produced a diving finish for his second try.
Melbourne hit straight back through Bromwich’s second touchdown, before Johnson produced his telling strike.
The eye
Guest
Final point Rene..from the Warriors: Simon Mannering was named the NRL Player of the Year and also received a Legacy award. Konrad Hurrell won the People’s Choice Award while Manu Vatuvei was the Club Person of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year. How can a player not considered by his own club/fans/teamates to be in the top 3 performers in the NRL claim any support for this award beyond the international peripherary ? The win and Mascords tone suggests there wasnt..
The eye
Guest
I'm basing this on an artice that I read by Steve Mascord in the SMH who judged it..he was told by the magazine to vote that way,but guiltily gave his minor votes to Thurston anyway..have a look at it..
Renegade
Roar Guru
Nah, That's not entirely true mate. The international matches get a heavier weighting in the votes as they should but it is for the best player in the world over a entire season.
The eye
Guest
No it's NOT for the best player in the world..its awarded to the INTERNATIONAL player of the year..judges are told to vote in that category only..
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Based on performance that year. Thurston overplayed his hand in Origin without Cronk, he was below his standards for the Cowboys (admittedly, that still puts him in the top 4 halfbacks in the NRL), and didn't play in the 4N. Johnson was the player of the 4N by a country mile, and his club form was solid despite being stuck behind a forward pack that couldn't get anything right all year.
Te Rangatira
Guest
Lol... Hunt
Fatu Ah Siu
Guest
Thats rubbish tompkins just hit form due to him knowing he needs to put in, because god knows lolohea was making him look third grade and him wanting to return to wigan. He has been quite frankly a bust in two years. The talent in nz just astounds me and well in saying that warriors have also won without tompkins, but i agree with some he should have been in australia to develop. Australia is still the best in developing and bringing out your best football.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
1. JT Daylight... 2. Smith 3. Inglis 4. Foran 5. Cronk 6. Slater 7. Bromwich 8. Johnson 9. RTS 10. Hunt If the Golden Boot is for the best player in the world than it should go to the best player in the world.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Yep, it isn't for the best player in the 4 nations though, it is for best player in the world. Which Thurston clearly is.
DSF
Guest
Sorry stu im a long suffering warriors fan ive seen this fairytale before only for it to fall apart later in the round robin. Warriors always start slow, find a winning streak around origin period which propels them to top 4, then the great collapse happens, repeat.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
On that basis, fair enough. Though I'm pretty sure Australia and England also participated in a few Tests the year Johnson won it... Johnson is a gun player. I wish he were playing for Glebe.
stu
Guest
Jay C, please explain how 2 losses contributed to them being in 4th? They were left out as they didnt get them where they are currently.
Hayley
Guest
Its Australias own fault they aren't playing any end of year internationals, so if its not an Aussie that wins the golden boot you have nothing to complain about.
Hayley
Guest
How do they get a leg up Jay C, they had players missing as well. Hoffman didn't play this week and he's been a key player for the Warriors this season.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Yeah but you left out 2 key data sets to try and make your point. I like the Warriors and have them down as early favourites for next year. A Broncos Warriors GF would be sweet as bro. But they definitely get a leg up at Origin time. They still have to get out and win the games though. So you can't take too much away from them.
stu
Guest
2 byes. Lost to a full strength rabbitohs. Lost to roosters with origin players out. What im getting at is that for some reason the opinion of most aussie commentaters is that warriors only win games because the other teams are so badly affected by origin. Its nonsense.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Because you have much more evidence you can look at than the 1 Test Australia play this year. So Thurston could have ANOTHER epic year. Win the Dally M. Lead his side to a Grand Final victory break however many records. But he only played in 1 test so his chances of winning are diminished. Call me crazy but if you are naming someone the best player in the world, they should be the best player in the world. Not the best player over 3 matches.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Why is that silly?
Stu
Guest
How else do you compare players from the NRL and Superleague if not from internationals?
Jay C
Roar Guru
If it is then it is a pretty silly award.