Rugby League: Turnaround brings joy to NRL

By PETER JESSUP

The Warriors' appearance in the grand final next Sunday comes as a huge relief to the National Rugby League, which admitted yesterday that the club was within a month of being folded just two years ago.

National Rugby League chief executive David Gallop yesterday described the club at that stage as "a basket case".

It wasn't until he met new owner Eric Watson and established that he was serious and that he was an acceptable buyer to the critical parties involved that the Warriors' future was assured.

The NRL came within three weeks of implementing a plan to end the franchise, Gallop admitted. "We would have gone with 13 teams."

The league was better than pleased at the turnaround, the stability within the club and the obvious future it now had, Gallop said.

Now the players and club have big obligations to the NRL as it looks to promote the game during this week. They'll have to fly back Wednesday for a grandfinal breakfast with opponents the Sydney Roosters next Thursday and there will be demands from print, radio and television in Sydney, a captains and coaches call and charity events. It's the only thing the Warriors still have to learn how to handle after proving yesterday they could handle everything thrown at them by the Sharks.

The Cronulla side brought their dirty tricks bag to Stadium Australia yesterday but it didn't work for them, the Warriors soaking up the niggle, pushing it aside and winning on the scoreboard as well as in the push-and-shove.

Sharks hooker Dean Treister was worst, his tactics in the tackle prompting Ali Lauiti'iti and P.J. Marsh to complain to referee Tim Mander. He came through to smack John Carlaw's head with his knee in an incident similar to Luke Bailey v Andrew Johns.

When Kevin Campion went in to hooker to replace Marsh, Treister inexplicably fell to the ground in the middle of one scrum. Asked what had happened, Campion said "I'm not sure, I think he just tripped over."

The Sharks benefited from a generous 10 metres and got the better of the 50/50 calls yesterday but it wasn't enough to take them to the grandfinal.

Instead they're first to Mad Monday, the traditional boozing session for players whose services are no longer required.

Captain David Peachey was first into it at the after-match session, looking decidedly dark about losing, but gracious about it. Warriors coach Daniel Anderson said his troops were confident and motivated about next Sunday.

"They're learning what works for them."