NZ Warriors 2026 Round 20 Review: Warriors Stay on Track Despite Scrappy Showing

Fresh off their 32-6 win over the Wests Tigers, the Warriors returned to Auckland for the first time in five weeks to host a Dragons side coming off a bye.

The Warriors weren't at their best, but they found a way to grind out a hard-fought 20-12 victory over the Dragons. It was far from a perfect performance, but another two competition points keeps their momentum rolling.

What Went Down

The Warriors made the perfect start, opening the scoring in just the 3rd minute when Adam Pompey crossed in the corner. Initially ruled no try on the field, the Bunker overturned the decision after determining Pompey had grounded the ball.

The Dragons responded in the 13th minute, producing some slick second-phase play before Clint Gutherson crossed for their opening try. Valentine Holmes converted to give the visitors a 6-4 lead.

The Warriors levelled the scores in the 20th minute when Chanel Harris-Tavita slotted a penalty goal before regaining the lead in the 32nd minute. After building sustained pressure and forcing the Dragons to defend repeat sets, Alofiana Khan-Pereira crossed to put the home side back in front on a nice solo effort after a Dragons goal-line drop-out.

The Dragons had the final say before the break, however. Just three minutes later, in the 35th minute, Hamish Stewart sold a superb dummy close to the line to slice through the Warriors' defence. Holmes converted to hand the visitors a narrow 12-10 lead heading into half-time.

The Warriors wasted little time responding after the interval, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak finishing in the corner in the 44th minute to reclaim the lead from what appeared to be a forward pass. From there, the Warriors controlled much of the territory and possession, repeatedly forcing the Dragons to work their way out of their own end.

A key moment came in the 60th minute when Dragons winger Setu Tu appeared to break free down the sideline after referee Jarrod Cole called play on. However, the Bunker intervened and ruled Tu had been held, with replays showing his arm had contacted the ground while still in the tackle. The decision halted a promising attacking opportunity for the visitors, who had looked set to build momentum.

Chanel Harris-Tavita extended the Warriors' lead with a penalty goal in the 69th minute before adding another in the 78th minute to seal a hard-fought 20-12 victory. It wasn't the Warriors' most polished performance, but they did enough to secure the two competition points and continue their strong season.

My Thoughts

Well, this wasn't exactly the performance that had me jumping out of my seat, but it was another important two points banked, very vital with the Roosters breathing down the Warriors' necks on the ladder. After some of the more convincing performances we've seen this season, this was a reminder that not every game will be played at the same level. The Dragons, to their credit, made life difficult, and the Warriors had to find a way through a contest that was much tighter than many, including myself, expected. While it wasn't pretty, there is something to be said for a team that can still come away with the win when things aren't clicking.

One thing that continues to stand out to me about this Warriors side is their ability to find different ways to win. Earlier in the season, we saw them dominate teams with their power game and attacking confidence, but this was a different type of victory. They had to grind, stay patient and handle the pressure of a close contest right until the final stages. While they had some calls go their way and could be deemed very lucky, a match like this can be valuable, especially when the intensity rises during finals.

The challenge for the Warriors now is making sure performances like this don't become the standard. The Warriors have shown they are capable of playing some good footy this year, but the gap between a good team and a genuine premiership contender is being able to produce that level consistently. The next month will be important as they continue building towards finals, and with a run of very winnable games on the horizon, they need to find another gear and put in some complete 80-minute performances.

In the end, this was a win that the Warriors will take as a bit of a wake-up call. It wasn't their finest performance, but notching up those competition points is what matters most at this time of year; they just need to learn from this effort, continue to improve, and find that next level. 

If they sharpen up the small details while maintaining the belief they've built, they will give themselves every chance of making a serious impact when finals time arrives.

There were a few things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The Warriors were well below their best against the Dragons, but perhaps that's what made this win so important. Every team has games throughout the season where things just don't click, and this was one of those nights. The attack wasn't as sharp as we've become used to, and there were periods where they struggled to turn pressure into points. Despite that, they stayed patient, defended well when it mattered and found a way to get the job done. Premiership-winning teams don't just win when they're firing on all cylinders; they also find a way to win the ugly ones, and this felt like one of those performances.

After struggling with their ball control last week, it was encouraging to see the Warriors reduce their error count down to 10 against the Dragons. While that number is still higher than I would like, it was a step in the right direction after some costly mistakes in their previous match. The Warriors have built much of their success this season on their ability to complete sets and apply pressure, so improving their discipline with the ball will be important as they enter the back end of the season. There is still work to do, but seeing the number move in the right direction is a positive sign.

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters on the ladder is getting the two competition points, and the Warriors did exactly that. While the performance wasn't as impressive as some of their efforts this season, they showed the maturity of a team with genuine finals ambitions by finding a way to win. Premiership contenders aren't judged only on their best performances; they are also judged on their ability to grind out victories when things don't go perfectly. This was one of those nights when the Warriors weren't at their best, but they still got the job done.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The Warriors got the result, but their attack never really reached the levels we saw earlier this season. Outside of a few individual moments, they struggled to build consistent pressure and looked a little clunky with the ball in hand. The timing and execution that has made them such a dangerous attacking side at times wasn't quite there, with too many opportunities going unfinished. Credit should go to the Dragons' defence, who made life difficult for them, but the Warriors will know they need to be sharper with the ball as they face tougher challenges later in the season.

Once again, the Warriors showed some vulnerability when defending against second-phase play. The Dragons' ability to generate offloads caused problems throughout the match, with Clint Gutherson's try coming after the Warriors struggled to deal with the extra attacking numbers created from broken play. Hamish Stewart's try was also a disappointing one from a defensive perspective, with the Warriors caught out by a simple dummy close to the line. This has become a recurring theme at times this season, and it is something they will need to improve before the finals. The better teams will punish those defensive lapses, and if the Warriors cannot clean up their defence against second-phase football, it could become a weakness opposing sides target.

The Warriors will be happy to come away with the two competition points, but they will know they made life harder for themselves than they needed to. The Dragons stayed in the contest for long periods and, despite the Warriors having opportunities to build pressure, they couldn't create the scoreboard separation that would have taken the game away from the visitors. Against a lower-ranked side at home, the Warriors would have liked to have been more clinical and put the result beyond doubt earlier. While they found a way to get the win, stronger opposition will make them pay if they allow games to remain this close.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to James Fisher-Harris.

Fisher-Harris continued to show why he is such an important part of this Warriors side, producing another strong performance through the middle. The veteran forward was constantly involved, running for 189 metres, including 83 post-contact metres, as he repeatedly looked to bend the Dragons' defensive line and create momentum for his teammates. His effort was also evident in defence, making 24 tackles, although his five missed tackles is an area he will want to clean up. Despite that, his work rate and willingness to keep getting involved stood out, with JFH once again setting the standard through the middle.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Adam Pompey.

Despite scoring the opening try, it was another frustrating night for Pompey, who has become a regular feature in the Warriors' "Players to Improve" section. The centre led the team with three errors and struggled to have a consistent impact, with the Dragons' defensive pressure keeping him on the back foot for much of the contest. A few poorly timed passes also saw the Warriors miss opportunities in attack and nearly gifted the Dragons points at the other end. While his effort can never be questioned, the execution has become a concern, and the pressure will continue to build. If Andrew Webster decides to revisit the Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad experiment at centre, it would not be a surprise, and it is an option worth considering as the Warriors look to find their strongest combination heading into the finals.

Round 21 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 21, the Warriors are back across the ditch to face the Bulldogs, who defeated the Wests Tigers 32-0 in Round 20.

As for the team I’d pick, the only change I would make is to bring Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in for Adam Pompey in that centre spot. 

The Bulldogs have not quite reached the heights many expected after an impressive 2025 campaign, but they showed signs of building some confidence with a convincing win over the Wests Tigers. While their performances this season have been inconsistent, this is still a side with plenty of quality and one the Warriors cannot afford to underestimate. Their biggest strengths remain their physical defence and their ability to make life difficult through the middle, while players like Matt Burton and Jacob Preston can produce game-changing moments. The Warriors will need to be much sharper with the ball and avoid giving the Bulldogs easy opportunities, because if they allow them to build momentum, this is a team capable of making them pay.

For the Warriors to get the win here, they need to be sharper with the ball and more clinical when opportunities present themselves. Reducing their errors against the Dragons was a positive step, but they will need to complete their sets and build pressure against a Bulldogs side that can punish mistakes. The middle battle will be crucial, with the Warriors needing their forwards to win the ruck while improving their defence around second-phase play and broken-field situations. If they can control field position, maintain their discipline and execute better in attack, they should have enough quality to get the job done. I'm expecting the Warriors to deliver a more complete performance and secure a 12-point victory.

So, that was a too close for comfort Round 20, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Are you happy with the two points, or did the performance leave you concerned?

Would you make any changes to the lineup this week?

What concerned you most about this performance?

What is your score prediction against the Bulldogs?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 19 Review: Warriors Run Riot at Campbelltown

After enjoying their final bye of the season last week, the Warriors once again found themselves across the ditch, this time in Sydney to face the Wests Tigers, who were coming off a 24-10 defeat to the Dragons in Round 18.

After the heartbreak of a tight loss against the Dolphins, the Warriors responded in emphatic fashion. James Fisher-Harris’ second-minute try set the tone as they cruised to a ruthless 32-6 victory over the Tigers, highlighted by 11 line breaks and one of their better attacking displays this season.

What Went Down

The Warriors couldn't have asked for a better start, capitalising almost immediately on a costly Adam Doueihi mistake. In just the 2nd minute, Doueihi committed the cardinal sin of failing to find touch from a penalty, and the Warriors made him pay. Erin Clark produced a brilliant short ball to isolate Terrell May, allowing James Fisher-Harris to crash over for the opening try.

Things got even better in the 12th minute when Bunty Afoa was sent to the sin bin for a late shot on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. With the Tigers down to 12 men, the Warriors wasted no time exploiting their vulnerable right edge. Just a minute later, slick hands created the overlap, and Alofiana Khan-Pereira crossed in the 13th minute for the visitors' second try. The pressure didn't let up. Campbelltown was opening up all over the park, and in the 16th minute, Te Maire Martin fired a long pass that caught Heamasi Makasini out of position. Ali Leiataua hit the gap perfectly to score the Warriors' third try inside the opening quarter. Despite dominating possession, territory and creating chance after chance, the Warriors only held a 14-0 lead. It almost felt like they should have been further in front given how one-sided the contest had been.

The Tigers found a way back into the game in the 26th minute. Doueihi put through a well-weighted grubber that bounced awkwardly in the Warriors' in-goal, and this time the bounce favoured the home side. Samuela Fainu reacted quickest to ground the ball, giving the Tigers a much-needed try and cutting the deficit to eight points heading into halftime.

Even after producing nine line breaks by the 50-minute mark, the Warriors' lead still didn't feel completely safe. But when the tenth line break arrived in the 49th minute, the Tigers' defence finally cracked for good. Martin floated a perfect pass to Khan-Pereira, who stepped back inside Doueihi to score his second try of the afternoon and the 64th of his NRL career in just his 63rd game. Just three minutes later, the Warriors struck again. Martin's towering bomb was spilled by Jahream Bula, and Chanel Harris-Tavita somehow produced a remarkable flick pass from virtually a standing start for Wayde Egan to score in the 52nd minute, putting the result beyond doubt.

The Warriors weren't finished there either. They put the icing on a dominant performance in the 74th minute, breaking the Tigers open once again. Te Maire Martin claimed his fourth line-break assist of the afternoon before Sam Healey backed up through the middle to score the final try to see the Warriors return to the winners' circle with a 32-6 victory.

My Thoughts

Well, this was exactly the response the Warriors needed after that tough loss to the Dolphins. While the Tigers are currently sitting in a poor run of form and were without their key figure, Api Koroisau, you can only beat what is in front of you, and the Warriors undoubtedly did that. From the opening whistle, they were focused, composed and determined to make a statement. They were expected to win here, but we didn't want to see them squeak out a win; they needed a large margin, and they completed that goal.

What impressed me most was the confidence they played with. Over the past month, there have been moments where the Warriors have created opportunities but havent quite taken control of games when they had the chance. Against the Tigers, they were much more assertive, playing with freedom and backing themselves when chances presented themselves. It was a reminder of how dangerous this team can be when they are playing with confidence.

That being said, there are still areas that they will want to clean up. A performance like this can hide some of the small details, and against the better teams in the competition, those moments will be punished. The Warriors were dominant enough to win comfortably. However, they will know there is still another level they can reach if they want to make a serious impact in September, and that was the message coming across in all the post-match interviews from the players.

Something that has stood out for me is that this team continues to find contributors from across the squad. Young players are stepping up, the forwards continue to set the platform, and the spine is starting to build some much-needed consistency. Last year, we saw this side lean on magic moments from the likes of Leka Halasima to get themselves across the line, so the fact that this side is building a complete team effort with depth that is plugging any gaps will prove invaluable as we head into the final stages of the season.

In the end, this was a solid effort from the Warriors; they needed to respond after a frustrating loss, and they did. There are still some areas that need working on, and the challenge will be fine-tuning these performances and turning them into a consistent standard, because if they can maintain that level of intensity and execution, this is a side that can trouble anyone come finals time. 

There were plenty of things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The Warriors' middle forwards laid the platform for everything that followed. James Fisher-Harris made an immediate impact with his second-minute try, but his influence extended far beyond that. Alongside Erin Clark, he helped the Warriors win the ruck and generate quick play-the-balls, giving the halves the time and space to attack. Their dominance in the middle forced the Tigers to tighten their defence, creating opportunities on the edges. The running metres reflected that dominance, with Jacob Laban leading the way with 160 metres, followed by Erin Clark (159m), James Fisher-Harris (146m) and Tanner Stowers-Smith (132m). When your forwards are winning that battle, the rest of the team can play on the front foot, and that's exactly what the Warriors did.

Te Maire Martin was outstanding in attack and controlled the game from start to finish. This was arguably his best performance of the season, finishing with four line-break assists while constantly keeping the Tigers' defence guessing. His ability to engage the defensive line before passing created space for those around him, while his long passing game and well-timed kicks continued to put pressure on the Tigers. With Martin controlling the attack, the Warriors looked far more dangerous and unpredictable with the ball. At this point in the season, talk of bringing Luke Metcalf back into the side needs to be put aside. Martin has shown he can lead this team around the park, and Metcalf should be considered only if an injury forces a change.

The Warriors' support play was one of the biggest positives from the performance. Players were constantly pushing through the middle, staying alive for offloads and backing up line breaks, creating extra opportunities and keeping the Tigers' defence under pressure. Wayde Egan and Sam Healey both benefited from this effort, scoring tries by being in the right place at the right time. It’s an area the Warriors haven't consistently produced this season, so seeing players continuing to chase and support the ball carrier throughout the 80 minutes was a great sign. If they can make this a regular part of their game plan, it adds another dimension to their attack and could be a key factor in helping them go deep into the finals.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

The Warriors still left points on the field despite producing one of their best attacking displays of the season. For a team that created 11 line breaks, six tries almost feels like a missed opportunity, especially when you consider they also finished the game with 16 errors. They were able to overcome those mistakes against the Tigers, but stronger opposition will make them pay if they give away that many chances. The challenge for the Warriors now is turning this attacking dominance into an even more clinical performance, because in finals football, every opportunity matters.

This flows on from the previous point, with the Warriors still having periods where they drifted out of the contest. After an explosive opening 20 minutes in which they raced to a 14-0 lead, the intensity dropped slightly, and the Tigers found their way back into the game before halftime. The Warriors regained control in the second half and eventually ran away with the result, but those small lapses are something they will want to clean up. Against stronger opposition, allowing a team back into the contest after building momentum can completely change the flow of a game. The next step for the Warriors is turning those dominant patches into a complete 80-minute performance.

The Warriors also had periods where they appeared to take their foot off the pedal once the result was beyond doubt. After building a comfortable lead, the intensity naturally dropped, and while the game was never in danger, the best teams continue applying pressure for the full 80 minutes. This is where the Warriors can still improve, because finals football often comes down to maintaining standards even when the result looks secure. Continuing to build pressure, rather than simply managing the game, will be important if they want to compete with the best sides in the competition.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Jacob Laban.

Laban continues to go from strength to strength, earning his second straight Warrior of the Match award from me. As mentioned earlier, he led the forward pack with 160 running metres, but his impact went well beyond his work carrying the ball. Laban produced two line breaks, a try assist and six tackle breaks, while also making 35 tackles with only three misses. The two errors are something he will want to clean up, but they don't take away from another outstanding performance. His growth throughout this season has been impressive, and the confidence he is playing with is clear to see. What started as a player pushing for regular minutes has quickly turned into a player who looks like a must-have in the Warriors' starting lineup moving forward.

Warrior to Improve

I don’t have a single Warrior to call out this week because none of the 17 who featured let the team down, or they simply didn't play enough minutes to be judged fairly. They weren’t all perfect, but every player gave it their all, and that’s all you can really ask for.

Round 20 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 20, the Warriors return home to Go Media Stadium to host the Dragons, who had a Bye in Round 19.

As for the team I’d pick, I wouldn't change much, only bringing in Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell.

Capewell into the starting second row and Barnett into the starting front row. This will see Leka Halasima and Tanner Stowers-Smith move to the bench, and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava and Marata Niukore move out of the 17.

The Dragons may be stuck at the bottom of the ladder, but there have been some signs of improvement in recent weeks. Their attack has started to show more life, highlighted by their 24-10 victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 18, just their second win of the season. While their position on the ladder tells one story, the Dragons have some promising young forwards who are continuing to develop and build confidence. Add in experienced players like Valentine Holmes and Clint Gutherson, who can still produce match-winning moments when they are at their best, and this is a side the Warriors cannot afford to underestimate. If the Warriors aren't switched on, the Dragons have enough attacking weapons to make them pay.

For the Warriors to get the win here, they need to bring the same intensity and attacking intent that was on display against the Tigers. The middle battle will be crucial, with the Warriors needing to win the ruck, control field position and avoid allowing the Dragons' young forwards to build confidence early. They also need to be switched on defensively around Valentine Holmes and Clint Gutherson, as both players have the experience and skill to punish any mistakes. If the Warriors can complete their sets, maintain their discipline and continue playing with the confidence they showed last week, they should have too much quality across the park. I’m expecting the Warriors to keep their momentum rolling and secure the win, with my prediction being a Warriors win by 18 points.

So, that was an improved Round 19, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What still needs improvement before finals football?

Did you have a Warrior to improve?

Would you make any changes to the lineup this week?

What is your score prediction against the Dragons?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 17 Review: Warriors Edged by Dolphins in Top-Four Clash

Fresh off an entertaining 38-20 victory over the Cowboys in Round 16, the Warriors returned to Suncorp Stadium to take on an in-form Dolphins side riding a seven-game winning streak. The Dolphins entered the clash full of confidence after a convincing 36-22 win over the Wests Tigers the previous week.

The Warriors pushed the Dolphins all the way in a tense 30-28 contest at Suncorp Stadium, fighting back repeatedly to stay within reach deep into the second half. A late Sam Healey try in the 74th minute looked to have given the Warriors a chance to steal it late. However, Selwyn Cobbo’s 77th-minute finish saw the Dolphins snatch a narrow victory.

What Went Down

The Dolphins opened the scoring in the 4th minute after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow produced a brilliant defensive play to deny Kurt Capewell at one end. From their first attacking set, the hosts went to the air, and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak couldn't come up with the catch. Quick hands found Selwyn Cobbo, who outpaced the cover defence to score in the corner.

The Warriors responded almost immediately. The Dolphins made a mess of the ensuing kick-off, gifting the visitors excellent field position. Chanel Harris-Tavita produced a perfectly weighted kick to the corner, where Jacob Laban leapt above everyone to score in the 7th minute and level the contest. After Isaiya Katoa left the field with an arm injury, the Dolphins were forced into a reshuffle. They nearly hit back straight away when terrific work from Herbie Farnworth sent Kodi Nikorima bursting through the line, but Tanner Stowers-Smith somehow chased him down with a remarkable try-saving tackle. The missed opportunity proved costly. Following a poor end to a Dolphins set, the Warriors again turned to the boot of Harris-Tavita. Another pinpoint kick found Laban, who brilliantly batted the ball back for Watene-Zelezniak to dive over in the corner in the 17th minute. 

The Dolphins responded in the 23rd minute after earning repeat sets inside the Warriors’ red zone. Nikorima’s short ball put Farnworth through a huge gap, and the centre crashed over to cut the deficit.

The home side then reclaimed the lead just before half-time. A clever steal from Nikorima handed the Dolphins valuable field position, and some slick right-edge play involving Tabuai-Fidow and Jack Bostock sent Jamayne Isaako racing down the touchline to score in the 38th minute, giving the hosts a 16-12 advantage at the break.

The Dolphins extended their lead early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Bostock stepped inside Adam Pompey before putting a grubber through. The ball ricocheted off Taine Tuaupiki and sat up perfectly for Isaako to collect and score his second of the afternoon.

The Warriors refused to go away and struck back in the 60th minute. Off a well-executed scrum play, Harris-Tavita took the line on before Eddie Ieremia-Toeava delivered a sharp final pass to send Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad over untouched for his fifth try in the past two weeks.

With the Warriors chasing the game, the Dolphins’ defence continued to stand tall before finally falling to a decisive blow. After a Cobbo error handed the Warriors good field position, the visitors capitalised. The Warriors marched downfield off the back of strong carries and repeated pressure, and in the 74th minute, Sam Healey darted from dummy-half, powering through several defenders to hand the visitors the lead.

The hosts then all but sealed the result when they successfully regathered the short kick-off. The Dolphins immediately applied pressure inside the Warriors’ 20 metres, and after a bouncing ball sat up perfectly for Selwyn Cobbo, the winger crashed through two defenders to score in the 77th minute. Jamayne Isaako calmly converted from the sideline to secure a hard-fought 30-28 victory for the Dolphins.

My Thoughts

Well, this was another one that got away in what has been a frustrating pattern in the past month. The Warriors were in this one the whole way, but once again, when it came down to execution in the key moments, the Dolphins were just a touch better when it mattered most.

It's not like they didn't have control at times; there were periods where it looked like they could really take the game by the throat, however they just didnt build enough pressure when they got on top, letting the Dolphins off the hook with errors or poor options and against any side let alone a time riding high like them you cant leave the door open as they will make you pay.

Defensively, they had their moments, forcing the Dolphins into errors of their own, but too often the Dolphins found space a bit too easily, especially on the edges, and the Warriors looked just a step behind when the game shifted side to side, which, to be fair, they are not the only team that the Dolphins have done that to.

With the ball in hand, it was a similar story to recent weeks, patches of good footy, but not enough composure or polish to take full control when the game was there for the taking. There were a few moments where they had momentum and good field position, but just didn't pick the right option, and in games this close, it's all about icing those opportunites.

The forced changes in the forward pack can't be ignored either. I was worried about how the pack would fare with both James Fisher-Harris and Jackson Ford out, but there were some solid individual efforts and plenty of work through the middle; they just couldn't get the same consistent go-forward or control that they have built their 2026 game on.

Don't get me wrong, I thought this was a great game to watch, it's just unfortunate that both this game and the loss to the Panthers saw the Warriors on the wrong side of the result in one of the better matches of the season.

In the end, it's another match that falls into the "could have, should have" category; they weren't outplayed but more out-executed in the moments that mattered, and until they start nailing those key moments consistently, these tight results are going to keep slipping away. The ladder is tight, and they are still in a good spot; however, if they don't sharpen up those small details, they do run the risk of slipping out of the top four, so the fine-tuning needs to start now. It's not all doom and gloom, though. This side and the coaching staff have the ability to find another level, and the welcome return of some key players, plus a handy run over the next month, should give them the right opportunity to go up another level.

There were a few things to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The forward effort in a physical contest was still a positive for the Warriors, especially with the pre-game concerns I had around the absence of James Fisher-Harris and Jackson Ford. They didn’t always get their own way through the middle against a strong Dolphins pack, but they stayed in the fight and held their own in a high-intensity top-four style game. The load was spread across the pack rather than coming from one or two dominant players, which helped them stay in the contest without over-relying on anyone. Mitchell Barnett (154m) led the way, with Eddie Ieremia-Toeava (114m) also getting over the 100-metre mark, but it was more of a shared effort across the group to keep them in the arm wrestle. That spread probably made sense given who they were missing, but it also shows how important Fisher-Harris and Ford are to this side. After the bye, they’ll need Fish to hit the ground running again and re-establish that real front-foot punch through the middle.

The ability to absorb pressure and respond was another positive in the Warriors’ performance, even with the Dolphins enjoying long periods of territorial dominance. There were times they were under sustained pressure in their own half, but they stayed connected and kept turning up rather than letting the game blow out. Plenty of times, the Dolphins looked to build a gap; the Warriors found a way to stay in touch, either through defensive effort or by punishing small errors when they came. It wasn’t perfect, but there was a clear refusal to drop off even when momentum was against them. In a game that swung back and forth, that resilience kept them in it right until the end and gave them a chance to still strike late; they just need to learn to convert that resilience into winning moments.

The young forwards in the pack continue to impress. Jacob Laban, Tanner Stowers-Smith and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava all made strong contributions in a high-pressure top-four contest and didn’t look out of place at this level.

Laban was involved around the ball in key attacking moments and had a couple of defensive plays that helped swing momentum the Warriors’ way. Stowers-Smith produced one of the defensive plays of the match with a crucial try-saving effort, while Ieremia-Toeava showed real composure and maturity in his minutes, even when pushed out to the centres late in the game. All three continue to put their hands up and make a strong case that they belong in this side week to week, highlighting the depth building in the squad and the positive signs for the club moving forward.

However, I did have concerns, which brings me to my negatives from the game.

Match Negatives

After taking the lead late through Sam Healey, the Warriors still couldn’t find a way to close it out. They failed to control the restart and then couldn’t get through the ensuing defensive set, which has been a recurring issue in these tight finishes.

There were a couple of moments in the final 15 minutes where they had good field position and probably didn’t quite go to the right option. A grubber into the in-goal looked like the smarter play on a couple of sets, either to force a repeat set or put real pressure on the Dolphins’ goal line defence, but they instead came away empty-handed and released that pressure far too easily.

It’s now the third two-point loss in their last four games, and it’s starting to become a pattern. In these tight-tussle games, it’s more about game management and composure than anything else, and that’s where they’ll feel this one got away again. If they can learn to turn these narrow defeats into wins, the ability to go all the way this season increases tenfold.

The edge defence was a real issue again, with the Dolphins consistently finding space when they shifted quickly through Kodi Nikorima and Herbie Farnworth. Too often, the reads weren’t quite there, and it left the Warriors exposed out wide at key moments in the game. It’s an area that’s been a long-term concern for the club, particularly in the centres, and the recent injury disruptions haven’t helped matters either. With combinations being reshuffled and players coming in and out, there’s been a lack of cohesion defensively, and that showed here against a quality attacking side. To be fair, the Dolphins are one of the hardest teams in the competition to defend on the edges when they get their rhythm, but if the Warriors are serious about being a genuine premiership contender, this is an area they’ll need to tighten up and get right quickly.

As the game tightened late, execution slipped, and a few errors crept in at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just one big moment; it was more a build-up of small mistakes that broke their rhythm when they needed to be composed. They were trying to hold on and stay in control, but under sustained pressure from the Dolphins, the handling just wasn’t clean enough. A couple of sets where they just needed to complete and build pressure instead ended in turnovers or rushed decisions, handing momentum straight back. It’s also been a bit of a trend over the past few rounds, with errors slowly creeping back into their game after earlier in the season, when they were one of the better sides in the competition at eliminating the silly errors. They’ll feel like that’s drifted away a little in recent weeks, and it’s something they need to tighten up again.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Jacob Laban.

Laban had another strong performance and continues to really make a name for himself in this side. He scored a try and set one up, but just as importantly, he stayed heavily involved throughout the match with 10 runs for 69 metres and 49 tackles, which shows the work rate he’s bringing every week. He’s not always going to be the flashiest player on the field, especially compared to someone like Leka Halasima, but his consistency and reliability more than make up for that. He just keeps showing up in the right moments, both defensively and around the ball, and his involvement doesn’t drop off. Andrew Webster also singled him out in the post-match interview, saying he’s been one of their best performers over the past few weeks, and it’s hard to disagree with that based on what he’s producing right now. At this point, he’s doing more than enough to lock down that starting edge forward spot and should be the first name there moving forward based on what he’s bringing week to week.

Warrior to Improve

My Warriors to Improve goes to Adam Pompey.

Pompey had a tough night overall. He finished with 150 metres and was 100% at the kicking tee, but that doesn’t really tell the full story of how shaky things were in general play. He came up with four errors and was also exposed defensively at different stages, with the Dolphins finding space down his edge more than once. For a long time, Pompey has held his spot largely through reliability and doing the simple things consistently well, but that level is starting to dip a bit. When that base goes, the rest of his game becomes harder to justify at NRL level. In saying that, injuries across the squad and his goal-kicking value probably keep him in the side for now, but it’s getting to the point where you’d start asking the question. The issue is that, with the current injury situation, it’s hard to see an obvious replacement waiting in the wings, which makes it one of the bigger selection headaches moving forward.

Bye Round and Round 19 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 18, the Warriors take their final bye of the season before heading back to Australia to face the Wests Tigers in Round 19. 

It might feel like they’ve only just come off a bye, but this one comes at a perfect time, given how the squad is tracking. Injuries are starting to pile up, so the week off gives them a chance to get a few key players back on deck heading into the run home. It also provides a bit of space to reset and clean up some of the smaller issues in their game, turning a few of those “what if” moments from recent weeks into wins down the stretch.

As for the team I’d pick for the Tigers clash, James Fisher-Harris and Leka Halasima are expected to be available again, while there’s still no clear word on whether Dallin Watene-Zelezniak or Alofiana Khan-Pereira will be fit to return, so I’m working on the assumption that both are unavailable. 

Fisher-Harris comes straight back into the starting pack, with Tanner Stowers-Smith moving to the bench and Marata Niukore dropping off the bench to accommodate his return. In the backs, reports are linking the Warriors with a possible immediate move for Luke Laulilii from the Tigers. If that deal goes through, he would slot straight onto the wing. If not, I’d shift Adam Pompey out wide, bring Eddie Ieremia-Toeava into the centres, and move Halasima onto the bench.

The Wests Tigers have shown some improvement this season, but they’re still a side that can be up and down from week to week. They’ve had a few strong wins and look more competitive than in recent years, particularly through their middle defence and effort areas, but they’re still struggling to put together 80-minute performances. Their attack has been the main issue at times, with execution and last-tackle options breaking down in key moments, especially against the stronger sides. That’s kept them sitting around the middle-to-lower part of the ladder, even when the effort has been there. They’re not easy beats, though, and at home they do tend to lift, so the Warriors will still need to be sharp if they want to bank a much-needed win in Round 19.

For the Warriors to get the win here, they will need to get back to doing the simple things well if they want to get the job done against the Tigers. That starts with cleaning up the errors that have crept into their game over the past few rounds and ensuring they complete sets and build pressure rather than releasing it cheaply. Through the middle, they should look to re-establish dominance with Fisher-Harris back in the side, which will allow their edges to play off a stronger platform and limit the amount of scrambling they’ve been forced into defensively. If they can control field position and stay disciplined in their own end, they should have enough strike out wide to trouble a Tigers side that can leak points when under sustained pressure. On paper, it’s a game they should be targeting, and if they bring their best version of themselves, they’ll be hard to hold out. So if everything goes to plan, I am picking a Warriors win by 12.

So, that was a disappointing Round 17, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Are the narrow game losses becoming a worrying trend?

Would you drop Pompey, and if so, who replaces him?

Do the young forwards give you confidence about the club’s future?

What is your score prediction against the Tigers?