NZ Warriors 2026 Round 22 Review: Warriors Back in Business After Titans Thrashing

After their embarrassing defeat to the Bulldogs in Round 21, the Warriors remained across the ditch, heading to the Gold Coast to face a Titans side who defeated the Dragons 38-18 that same weekend.

The Warriors produced one of their most complete performances of the season, overpowering the Titans 42-6 at CBUS Super Stadium. Scoring eight tries to one, Andrew Webster's side controlled the contest from the outset and never looked threatened on their way to a dominant victory.

What Went Down

The Warriors wasted little time asserting themselves, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossing in the 6th minute before former Titan Alofiana Khan-Pereira added another just four minutes later to give the Warriors an early 10-0 advantage. The points continued to flow in the 16th minute when Khan-Pereira burst clear from inside his own half and linked up with Chanel Harris-Tavita, who finished the movement to extend the lead to 14-0.

The Titans briefly gave their supporters something to cheer about when Arama Hau crossed in the 23rd minute, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly shut down by the Warriors. Leka Halasima, rewarded with a starting role in the centres after originally being named on the bench, repaid Andrew Webster's faith by scoring in the 28th minute following a Khan-Pereira tap back. The Warriors finished the opening half emphatically when Jacob Laban crashed over in the 36th minute, sending the visitors to the sheds with a commanding 26-6 lead.

Any thoughts of a second-half fightback were quickly erased after the break. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava ran onto a superb Mitchell Barnett pass to score in the 47th minute as the Warriors picked up where they left off. The visitors thought they had another shortly afterwards when Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad crossed the line, only for the bunker to rule an obstruction in the lead-up and deny the fullback a four-pointer. With AJ Brimson spending time in the sin bin, the Warriors took full advantage of their extra man. Te Maire Martin added his name to the scoresheet in the 63rd minute before producing a classy show-and-go to grab his second try in the 69th minute and put the finishing touches on a comprehensive 42-6 victory.

There was also a memorable moment late in the contest when Riley Price made his club debut in the 67th minute. In doing so, he became part of the first father-son combination to represent the Warriors, following in the footsteps of his father Steve Price, who played 91 matches for the club between 2005 and 2009.

My Thoughts

Well, that was exactly the response we were hoping to see. After last week's disappointing loss to the Bulldogs, there were plenty of questions surrounding the Warriors and how they would bounce back, especially with a huge clash against the Panthers looming. While the Titans have struggled for consistency this season, you can only beat the team in front of you, and the Warriors undoubtedly did that. From the opening whistle, they looked focused, determined and eager to make a statement, racing out to an early lead and never allowing the Titans a way back into the contest.

What impressed me most was the mental response. One poor performance can happen to any team, but the real test is how you react the following week. After the Bulldogs' defeat, there were concerns that the performance might be a sign of deeper issues. Instead, the Warriors answered those questions in the best possible way. Good teams aren't defined by never having a bad game; they're defined by how they respond when things don't go their way. Throughout this season, the Warriors have consistently shown an ability to bounce back, and this was another strong example of that resilience.

The forward pack returned to its dominant best, laying the platform for everything that followed. The young players also stood tall, further proving that the future of this club is incredibly bright. More importantly, they showed they aren't just players for the future; they are already making valuable contributions at NRL level. With the pack winning the middle, the halves looked far more dangerous and controlled the game well. That said, I still have some concerns about how the Warriors will handle finals football if they come up against a pack capable of matching or beating them through the middle. Hopefully, the coaching staff are continuing to develop a Plan B for those situations because they are likely to arise later in the season.

The challenge now is backing this performance up. As impressive as a 42-6 victory is, the Panthers will present a completely different test and won't hesitate to expose any weaknesses. The positive is that this win should provide a significant confidence boost and serve as a reminder of what this team is capable of when they play with intensity, confidence and belief. The Warriors remain firmly in the premiership conversation and showed once again why they are one of the competition's most dangerous teams. However, the Panthers and Roosters also produced impressive performances this round, and the biggest tests are still ahead. If the Warriors want to be genuine title contenders, they now need to show they can produce this level of football against the competition's elite sides when it matters most.

There was plenty to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

The Warriors’ forward pack laid the perfect platform for the dominant victory, delivering the response they needed after being bullied through the middle in last week’s loss to the Bulldogs. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava led the way with 191 metres. At the same time, Tanner Stowers-Smith (177m), Mitch Barnett (146m), Jacob Laban (146m), Erin Clark (141m) and Kurt Capewell (118m) all made valuable contributions through the middle. Their ability to win the battle for territory and consistently get the team on the front foot created the space and time for the halves and outside backs to shine, proving once again that when this Warriors pack is rolling, they are extremely difficult to contain.

The Warriors continue to receive strong contributions from players outside their regular 17, highlighting the depth they have built throughout the squad. Leka Halasima rewarded Andrew Webster’s faith after being shifted into the centres, producing a strong performance capped off with a try. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava was outstanding off the bench, making an immediate impact with 191 metres and plenty of damaging carries. Tanner Stowers-Smith also continued his impressive rise with another strong showing, while Riley Price’s debut provided a memorable moment as he became the first father-son combination to represent the Warriors alongside his father Steve. With injuries and Origin disruptions testing the squad throughout the year, having players ready to step up when called upon could prove invaluable heading into the back end of the season.

While the eight tries will grab the headlines, the Warriors’ defensive effort was just as impressive. Despite building a commanding lead, they didn’t switch off after conceding to Arama Hau in the 23rd minute, shutting the Titans out for the remainder of the match. They scrambled well when opportunities opened up for the Titans, maintained their intensity for the full 80 minutes and limited Gold Coast to just one try. After some periods this season where their defensive focus has wavered, this was a timely reminder of the resilience and discipline required from a genuine premiership contender.

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

Match Negatives

While a 42-6 scoreline makes it easy to overlook, the Warriors’ goal-kicking remains an area that needs improvement. A conversion rate in the mid-70% range will get you across the line more often than not, but the margin for error becomes much smaller in tight finals matches where every point matters. With strike weapons on both wings, the Warriors are regularly scoring tries from wider positions, meaning many of their kicks are coming from difficult angles near the sideline. Finding greater consistency with the kicking tee will be important, and perhaps a few extra sessions each week for Chanel Harris-Tavita could help turn those missed opportunities into valuable points.

Despite the big scoreline, and this is probably a case of nitpicking from me, there were still moments where the Warriors left opportunities on the field. The disallowed Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad try was certainly unlucky, with the bunker ruling an obstruction in the lead-up. Still, there were other occasions where better execution could have resulted in an even bigger scoreline. The Warriors were dominant for long periods, and this didn’t affect the result, but against the competition’s top sides they will need to be more clinical when opportunities present themselves.

This was a brilliant performance from the Warriors, but it is important to acknowledge the opposition they were up against. The Titans entered the match sitting 13th and have struggled defensively throughout the season, so while the Warriors deserve full credit for taking care of business in such a dominant fashion, the biggest challenge will be carrying this level of execution into matches against the competition’s top sides. The signs are extremely encouraging, but the Warriors will need to replicate this intensity and consistency when the pressure of the finals arrives.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Wayde Egan.

This was hard to pick this week with so many players putting thier hands up with impressive performances, but I thought Egan was outstanding here, once again showing why he is such an important part of the Warriors’ success. The hooker did a fantastic job of targeting lazy defenders around the ruck, repeatedly catching the Titans’ markers off guard and earning the Warriors crucial six-agains and penalties that allowed them to build pressure and turn the screws. Egan finished with 85 running metres, a line break assist and 29 tackles with just one miss, but it was his football IQ and ability to control the momentum of the game that stood out most. His understanding of when to attack and how to exploit defensive weaknesses is a huge asset, and his performances could be vital in determining how far the Warriors can go this season.

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 23 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 23, the Warriors return home for the much-anticipated clash against the Panthers, who defeated the Raiders 42-18 in Round 22.

As for the team I’d pick, I'd keep it the same, with the only change being bringing Demetric Vaimauga back for Riley Price if he has recovered from his rib injury. I liked having Halasima out at centre combining with Khan-Pereira, so that combination stays for me; it is just such an attacking threat that will trouble defenders with Halasima's tackle-breaking ability and AKP's pace. Either one can punish the opposition if they are too focused on the other.

The Panthers may not be as intimidating as they have been in years past, but they continue to be the benchmark that all NRL teams strive to reach. Their defensive structures, ability to control the middle and discipline without the ball continue to be their biggest strengths, while their experience in big moments means they rarely beat themselves. However, this Penrith side does have some weaknesses, with their attack not always looking as dangerous as in previous seasons and their reliance on winning the middle battle creating opportunities for teams that can withstand their early pressure and challenge them on the edges. Their previous clash with the Warriors this season was arguably the game of the year so far, with both sides producing a thrilling contest that showcased the quality of the two teams. While the Panthers’ composure saw them escape with the win, the Warriors proved they can match it with the best, and this rematch will provide another opportunity to show they belong among the competition’s elite.

To get the job done against the Panthers, the Warriors will need to bring the same level of physicality and intensity that they showed against the Titans, particularly through the middle of the field. Winning the forward battle will be crucial, as Penrith thrive when they can control the ruck and build pressure through repeat sets. The Warriors will also need to be disciplined, limit their errors and complete their sets, because giving the Panthers cheap possession is a recipe for trouble. In attack, they need to continue using the width of the field and challenge Penrith’s edges, while defensively they must remain connected and shut down their dangerous ball runners. This is a huge test of where this Warriors side sits among the competition’s best, and while I believe they are more than capable of pushing the Panthers all the way, I’m predicting Penrith to get the job done by 6 points. Hopefully, I’m wrong, and the Warriors can deliver another statement victory. 

So, that was a much-improved Round 22, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

What was the biggest positive you took out of the Warriors' performance?

Do you see the Warriors back as a premiership contender?

Did you have a Warrior to improve?

What is your score prediction against the Panthers?

NZ Warriors 2026 Round 21 Review: Reality Check for the Warriors

After their tense victory over the Dragons, the Warriors returned to Australia to face a Bulldogs side coming off an impressive 32-0 win over the Tigers.

The Warriors were nowhere near their best, suffering an embarrassing 18-6 defeat to the Bulldogs. A disastrous opening 11 minutes left them chasing the game, and despite creating a handful of opportunities, they lacked the execution to ever seriously threaten Canterbury.

What Went Down

The Bulldogs made the perfect start, opening the scoring in the 5th minute. Viliame Kikau somehow kept the ball alive with an offload that initially looked to be heading one way before flicking it back inside, allowing Stephen Crichton to gather and score. The hosts doubled their advantage just six minutes later. After initially looking to attack down the left edge, the Bulldogs shifted back through the middle, where Jacob Preston sliced through untouched to score in the 11th minute. Crichton added the extras to give the Bulldogs a 12-0 lead.

Lachlan Galvin almost created another try just four minutes later, breaking through the Warriors' defensive line, but with no support around him, the opportunity went begging. Despite both sides enjoying periods of possession for the remainder of the half, neither could add to the scoreboard as the Bulldogs took a 12-0 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs thought they had made the perfect start to the second half when Josh Curran crossed just three minutes after the restart, but the Bunker intervened. Wyatt Raymond overturned the on-field decision after replays showed Matt Burton had made contact with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in the air without making a genuine attempt to contest the ball. The home side eventually did extend their lead in the 46th minute when a well-executed scrum play sent Jacob Kiraz over in the corner. Crichton was unable to convert, leaving the score at 16-0.

It was a frustrating night for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who was denied on multiple occasions. He was first bundled into touch, then slipped while trying to ground the ball as the Bulldogs' cover defence arrived. His third attempt looked to have finally broken the deadlock for the Warriors, only for the try to be ruled out because of a forward pass earlier in the movement. Moments later, another attacking shift to the right also ended with a forward pass, summing up a frustrating evening for the visitors. The Bulldogs effectively sealed the contest in the 71st minute when Stephen Crichton slotted a penalty goal to stretch the lead to 18-0. 

The Warriors finally got on the scoreboard three minutes later in bizarre fashion. Mitch Barnett produced an unexpected chip kick over the defensive line, which Chanel Harris-Tavita gathered before grounding the ball. Harris-Tavita converted his own try in the 74th minute to reduce the margin to 18-6. Any hopes of a late comeback were short-lived, with the Bulldogs comfortably seeing out the final minutes to secure a deserved 18-6 victory.

My Thoughts

Well, that was a tough watch. Coming into this match, I was already a little concerned after last week's performance. While the Warriors got the two competition points against the Dragons, they were far from convincing, so I was expecting a much sharper response against the Bulldogs. Unfortunately, this felt like a significant step backwards. From the opening whistle, the Bulldogs controlled the middle, won the territory battle and dictated the tempo of the game, leaving the Warriors chasing the contest after just 11 minutes.

Plenty of credit needs to go to the Bulldogs; they seem to have found a blueprint for disrupting the Warriors' style of play. Their aggressive line speed, physicality through the middle and ability to keep the ball alive through second-phase football made it extremely difficult for the Warriors to build any rhythm. Interestingly, Canterbury are also the only team to defeat both the Warriors and Panthers this season, showing they have a game plan that can trouble teams built around power and possession.

What disappointed me most wasn't just the result, but the way the Warriors went about it. A win here would have kept them firmly in the top two and continued to put pressure on the Panthers in the race for the minor premiership, so there was plenty on the line. Because of that, I expected to see more fight and desperation from the Warriors. Losing games is part of every season, but you still want to see your side make the opposition earn the victory. Outside of a few attacking opportunities that went begging, the Warriors never really looked like troubling the Bulldogs. They had moments where they built pressure, but poor execution and a lack of composure meant those chances came to nothing. It was one of the rare occasions this season where the Warriors looked second best for the majority of the 80 minutes, and that is what made the performance so demoralising.

The good news is that this loss has come with time still available to fix the issues. Finals football is still a few weeks away, allowing the Warriors to address the problems exposed by the Bulldogs before the games become season-defining. Good teams don't ignore performances like this; they learn from them. The response this week is now the most important thing; every team has an off night, but the best teams make sure those performances are followed by a response. The Warriors have shown throughout the season that they are capable of competing with anyone, so now they have to show that this was simply a bump in the road rather than the beginning of a ladder slide like we saw from them last season.

There wasn't much to smile about, which brings me to my positives.

Match Positives

Despite trailing 18-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Warriors never completely threw in the towel. It would have been easy for heads to drop after such a frustrating night where very little went their way, but they continued to compete until the final whistle. That persistence was eventually rewarded when Mitch Barnett's clever chip kick created an opportunity for Chanel Harris-Tavita to score the Warriors' only try of the night. While it did little to change the result, it showed there was still some fight left in the side. On a night with very few positives, their willingness to keep battling until the end was one of them.

After a disastrous opening 11 minutes, where the Bulldogs crossed twice and put the Warriors under immediate pressure, the defensive effort improved significantly. The Warriors were able to settle into the contest and make Canterbury work much harder for the remainder of the night. The scramble defence was a real positive, with the Warriors repeatedly turning up in support and preventing the Bulldogs from adding further points despite spending plenty of time inside their attacking half. The one major exception was their inability to contain the Bulldogs' second-phase play, with Canterbury regularly finding success through offloads and keeping the Warriors' defence moving backwards. It doesn't take away from the poor start, but the ability to regroup and defend their line under pressure was one of the few positives to come from a disappointing performance.

While it certainly doesn't help in the moment, performances like this can prove valuable if the Warriors can learn from them. The Bulldogs exposed some clear issues in the Warriors' attack, particularly their execution when opportunities presented themselves and their inability to turn pressure into points. Too often, the Warriors worked hard to get themselves into attacking positions but couldn't find the final pass or the right option to trouble the Bulldogs' defensive line. These are the types of areas that need to be addressed quickly, especially with more top-eight opponents ahead. A loss like this can be a good reality check, highlighting the improvements needed before the finals race heats up.

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

Match Negatives

The Warriors couldn't have asked for a worse start, conceding tries in the 5th and 11th minutes to immediately find themselves chasing the game. Against a Bulldogs side that prides itself on its defensive effort and ability to control territory, handing them a 12-point advantage so early made the challenge significantly harder. The Warriors were forced to play catch-up from that point. While they were able to steady themselves defensively, they never looked comfortable trying to break down a Canterbury defence that was able to sit back and defend with confidence. A slow start has hurt the Warriors at times this season, but this was one of the worst examples, with the opening 11 minutes ultimately proving too costly.

Errors were a major reason the Warriors were unable to build any sustained pressure, with the side finishing the night with 14 mistakes and just a 71% completion rate. Against a Bulldogs team that is built around defence and forcing teams to work hard for points, giving away so much possession made life extremely difficult. Too often, the Warriors did the hard work to get themselves into attacking positions, only to undo that progress through poor execution, including forward passes and missed opportunities. Even when they managed to create space and break through the Bulldogs' defensive line, they lacked the composure needed to finish their chances. Against quality opposition, those small errors can quickly become the difference between winning and losing.

One of my biggest concerns, not only from this match but from this entire season, was the Warriors' continued struggles defending against second-phase football. The Bulldogs finished the night with 19 offloads, and every time Canterbury kept the ball alive, the Warriors' defensive line looked uncertain and struggled to reset. It has been an ongoing issue throughout the season, with teams finding success when they can create broken-field situations and force the Warriors to defend multiple phases. While their scramble defence often saves them, relying on desperation plays is not sustainable against the competition's best teams. This is an area that needs urgent attention before the finals, because if the Warriors cannot improve their defence against offloads, it could seriously derail their chances of making a deep run.

The Warriors' inability to break down the Bulldogs' defence was a massive letdown. Throughout the night, they repeatedly looked to move the ball wide, but Canterbury's edge defence handled the challenge comfortably, and the Warriors kept returning to the same approach. With the forward pack being bullied through the middle, looking to shift the ball before earning the right to go wide proved costly, as the Bulldogs were able to slide across and shut down their attacking opportunities. There was very little variation or creativity to challenge the defensive line or create uncertainty. The one moment of unpredictability came late in the game when Mitch Barnett put in a chip kick that led to Chanel Harris-Tavita's try, but by then the contest was already beyond reach. Against quality opposition, the Warriors need to be more patient and build pressure before looking to attack the edges.

Warrior of the Match

My Warrior of the Match goes to Mitch Barnett.

In a game where very few Warriors stood out for the right reasons, Barnett was one of the clear positives. The experienced forward once again led from the front, finishing with a team-high 176 running metres while also making 28 tackles with just two misses in another tireless defensive effort. Barnett wasn't just effective through the middle either, showing his football IQ with the perfectly weighted chip kick that created Chanel Harris-Tavita's try, the Warriors' only points of the night. If the Warriors are to bounce back next week, they'll need more players to follow Barnett's lead. When the forward pack wins the middle and lays a platform, it makes life much easier for the halves to play direct, build pressure and create opportunities with the ball.

Warrior to Improve

My Warrior to improve is Te Maire Martin.

It was a tough choice between Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita for this section, but Martin ultimately gets the nod due to CHT scoring the Warriors' only try. To be fair to him, his job was made much harder by a forward pack that spent large periods of the night on the back foot, giving him little time or space to control the game. Even so, Martin looked unusually hesitant with the ball in hand. He ran just nine times for 74 metres and rarely threatened the Bulldogs' defensive line, while his kicking game was also quiet, putting boot to ball only four times compared to Harris-Tavita's 11. I've been vocal about sticking with TMM because, until now, I didn't think he had done much wrong. However, if this performance becomes the standard rather than the exception, the Warriors may have to make the tough call to bring Luke Metcalf back into the side before the finals begin.

Round 22 Thoughts and Prediction

In Round 22, the Warriors remain across the ditch to face the Titans, who defeated the Dragons 38-18 in Round 21.

As for the team I’d pick, we don't know the severity of Taine Tuaupiki's injury, so I would go with the idea that he needs a week off, so Charnze takes the fullback spot. Same goes for Wayde Egan; if he is out, Sam Healey takes the Hooker spot. Those would be the only changes for me; I'm backing TMM to bounce back, which may ruffle some people's feathers, but I would keep Metcalf on the bench if it looks dicey and the Warriors need to add an attacking spark.

The Titans have endured a difficult season so far, sitting on six wins and 12 losses, but they remain a team the Warriors cannot afford to take lightly. While consistency has been an issue, they have shown throughout the year that they are capable of troubling teams when they get their attacking game flowing. With plenty of speed and skill across the park, the Titans can be dangerous with the ball in hand and can punish teams that switch off defensively. Their biggest challenge has been putting together complete performances, but if they are given time and space, they have enough attacking weapons to make the Warriors pay. The Warriors will need to be switched on from the opening whistle and ensure they don't allow the Titans to build confidence.

For the Warriors to get the win here, they need to return to the areas that have made them so successful this season. After a disappointing performance against the Bulldogs, the response needs to start with their effort through the middle. The forwards need to win the ruck, generate quick play-the-balls and give the halves the time and space to control the game. Defensively, they will need to remain disciplined and limit the Titans' opportunities, because this is a side with plenty of attacking talent who can make teams pay if given momentum. With the ball, the Warriors need to be patient, complete their sets and take their chances when they come. If they can control possession, dominate field position and play with the intensity we know they are capable of, they should have enough quality to bounce back. I'm expecting a much-improved performance and tipping the Warriors to get the job done with an 18-point victory.

So, that was an embarrassing Round 21, but as usual, I will leave you with some questions.

Should the Warriors stick with Te Maire Martin, or is it time to consider Luke Metcalf?

Did the Bulldogs expose a weakness in the Warriors' game plan?

Are the Warriors still genuine premiership contenders?

What is your score prediction against the Titans?

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?