KEY POINTS:
I couldn't believe there were suggestions in the media before last weekend's must-win game at Wollongong that the Warriorsas a club felt they could afford to drop to St George and still make the top eight.
The moment I heard that I knew they would lose.
It is
incredibly frustrating as a fan to hear things like that and to know they are not going into the game with a do-or-die attitude.
It would be 10 times more frustrating for John Hart, Wayne Scurrah, Ivan Cleary and John Ackland watching the feeble result against St George and after those sentiments expressed before the game they have only themselves to blame.
The Warriors have displayed throughout the season that they have the fitness and ability to play the game at the highest level. At various times in the season they have displayed superb attacking and defensive skills, sufficient to beat the best in the competition. They definitely have the talent. Unfortunately, there has been no consistency.
What this comes down to 100 per cent is mental application and God only knows why anyone would give the players the opportunity to think that they can drop games, especially in the crucial run-up to the playoffs where you need not just to make the top eight but to run in with some winning momentum.
And, worst of all, the club now finds itself in must-win games this Sunday against the Panthers at Mt Smart and, much tougher, away to the Eels in their last game.
This isn't the first time this year that I've been frustrated with the organisation and it probably won't be the last.
But the fact is the Warriors have displayed at the sharp end of the season a real ability to beat good teams when it counts most. For that reason alone they deserve as much support as possible this weekend. At times - albeit inconsistently - they have displayed a mental toughness when it mattered. They have certainly proved they can be entertaining.
Coupled with the fact it may be the last time New Zealanders have the chance to see Wairangi Koopu, Logan Swann and the great Ruben Wiki turning out on Mt Smart - you should get out there to see this game live.
When I look to the rest of the contenders for the top eight it is clear the Warriors' destiny remains in their own hands. Beat Penrith and Parramatta and they thereby eliminate two of the big threats.
Newcastle are not the same team without their captain Danny Buderus, whose season is over after an injury, and the Titans and Tigers also have injury-ravaged squads with which they have to beat top-four sidesthe Eagles and Sharks in these last two rounds.