The Warriors are back on track for a return to the NRL finals after last year’s surprise playoff run following their injury-depleted side’s Sunday upset over the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium.
A couple of weeks ago they were in danger of sinking to the bottom four spots on the ladder but they are now back in the top-eight equation after backing up their win over Penrith at Magic Round with a 24-20 triumph back on home soil over the Dolphins.
They are now up to a 5-1-6 record and sit just three points behind eighth-placed Canberra as they head into their first bye of the season.
The Warriors went into the game without Addin Fonua-Blake after Andrew Webster dropped the star prop because he left the sheds before the team song and the coach’s post-match coach address at Magic Round following their upset over three-time premiers Penrith.
Kiwi forward Marata Niukore converted the weight of possession into points when he carried Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa over the stripe to open up a 24-16 advantage.
Isaako pounced on a grubber out wide to halve the deficit heading into the final four minutes but the Dolphins were unable to produce a late match-winner with a Jack Bostock break snuffed out by Martin in cover defence.
It was fitting that Martin put the finishing touches on the victory as he orchestrated the against-the-odds victory with a top-quality all-round display.
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