What a season for the Warriors. It’s not over yet, but it’s already been a success for the players, the club and the fans.
Last year we cried “keep the faith” and “let’s gone warriors”. Or sometimes we just cried. By finals we could barely whisper “next year will be our year”.
Now “Up THE WAHS!” echoes across Aoteroa and large sections of the Gold Coast and Sydney.
The transformation under Andrew Webster has been nothing short of witchcraft. Or astro physics. Or something else I don’t understand.
The first noticeable change was the defence. The Warriors seemingly built a human wall of aggression and desperation.
The closer to our line we defended the harder we charged out to meet the ball carriers.
In its purest form, rugby league is about collisions and physical dominance. Ascendency hard earned, metre by metre, the dull thud of contact only drowned out by screaming fans. Smash ’em bro!
The Warriors gave us that, and more. Defensive resilience grew into offensive confidence. Playing with freedom, knowing they could defend an error.
The attack took on more structure as Shaun Johnson and Wayde Egan exploited defensive gaps with relentless surgical precision.
A monster pack of forwards superbly led by Tohu Harris took turns at charging into and through those gaps. One after another after another.
When they weren’t hitting runners the ball went wide, the result deadly. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak part diving, part flying to score with millimetres to spare, flowing locks like Maori Fabio with wings.
When they couldnt get through, they did something previous warriors sides did not: tightened up, got into the grind. Metre by metre. Thud. Thud. Thud. Relying on Johnson’s expert boot to plug the corners. The challenge laid down: run at us.
Players have enjoyed career best seasons. Johnson, the Prince of Penrose returned to claim his throne.
The players are smiling. The fans are smiling. Even the aussie commentators have had to begrdgingly acknowledge that something special was brewing at Mt Smart.
And is it just me, or are the Warriors even getting some referring decisions? Or maybe the bum calls just don’t determine the outcome anymore.
I’ve loved rugby league since watching the NSWRL as a boy with my father. I’ve had warriors season tickets and followed local clubs. I can’t remember a time I have enjoyed the game more than I am right now.
To the Warriors, thank you. Regardless of what happens next, this has been our year.
Now go smash ’em. Up the Wahs!!
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