NRL: Locke the key to Warriors' finishing burst

Kevin Locke of the Warriors runs the ball during the match against the Newcastle Knights. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors 25 Knights 16

A remarkable second-half defensive turnaround and the lightning-quick feet of Kevin Locke helped the Warriors notch a fourth successive NRL victory, against the Knights in Newcastle yesterday.

An ugly first-half display and a sustained period of Knights pressure had the Warriors wedged firmly against the ropes as the clock ticked down but they repelled six consecutive sets of Knights raids before Locke provided the spark for the get-out-of-jail victory.

Trailing 12-16, the Warriors advanced 90m in two tackles to deal the home side a sickening blow from which they could not recover. A sickening blow was precisely what Locke suffered when his weaving kick-return was halted by a massive tackle from Knights lock Joel Edwards on the halfway line.

Locke's toughness has been questioned at times but he showed plenty of steel to bounce back to his feet and produce a quick play-the-ball from which Feleti Mateo sent James Maloney away for the match-winner.

"That rattled me a bit," Locke said of Edwards' bone-cruncher. "But you get that in rugby league and you've got to take the big hits to get the good outcomes. I definitely felt it but I had to get up and play the ball."

Locke's stellar effort, which included a try-saving tackle on Edwards, followed a hugely impressive effort last week against the Titans when he was handed a rare chance to don the fullback jumper.

His outstanding form has also come after he became the subject of a police investigation into sexual assault allegations - something he strenuously denies and talks freely about.

"There's been a bit of stuff in the media about off-field stuff but that has really boosted me up," he said. "It gave me a lot of confidence knowing I could go through that. It rattled me a bit but I knew the truth.

"You can't let it get to you and I certainly didn't let it get to me. It is a hard thing for a young player but I've got my career to look at and I want to go further, I want to be the best I can for myself and my family."

That career has also received a timely boost, with chief executive Wayne Scurrah confirming yesterday that the club would exercise an option to retain the 22-year-old next season. Locke said it was the first he had heard of that happy news but he wasn't about to let it distract him.

"I've still got to stay focused on this year. I've got to do everything I can to prove to the club that they didn't make the wrong decision."

He provided a glimpse into the role played by the water bottle-wielding trainers who lurk continuously in the back field these days, crediting a rev-up from assistant coach Tony Iro as the inspiration for his late-game heroics.

"Tony Iro was on my arse, hyping me up and telling me to roll my sleeves up and get in there. If it wasn't for him I could have slacked off, but he boosted me up."

Coach Ivan Cleary praised Locke's recent efforts, suggesting they reflect a newfound maturity in a player who has had to deal with being labelled the club's "next big thing" ridiculously early in his career.

"This year he has really gone to a new level in terms of his work ethic and the way he prepares for a game," Cleary said.

"I think in the past he probably relied too much on just talent and you can't do that in the NRL. I think he's worked that out."