NRL: Warriors season could be defined in crucial games against the Dragons and Broncos

The Warriors are down following Saturday's capitulation to Penrith but they need to lift urgently with potential season defining games against the Dragons and Broncos looming in the next fortnight.

Coach Stephen Kearney will be hoping his players can wipe the slate clean to put aside their second-half meltdown that saw them blow a 28-6 lead to lose 36-28 to the Panthers.

Despite the demoralising defeat, the 12th placed Warriors remain just two competition points shy of the top eight but urgent improvement is needed to keep their NRL playoff hopes alive.

Having managed just four wins from the opening 10 rounds, they'll be desperate to make up some lost ground by embarking on their traditional mid-season run during the upcoming two-month State of Origin period.

Back-to-back home games against St George Illawarra at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Friday, and a round 12 clash against an Origin affected Brisbane side at Mt Smart Stadium next week, will be crucial to getting their campaign back on track.

A confidence-boosting win against the fifth-placed Dragons will be no easy task however, with the Warriors having a poor record in New Zealand away from Mt Smart, having won just six of 26 games at other grounds around the country.

The Red V is also the Warriors most formidable opponent, having won 20 of 25 games between the two clubs since 1998. Last year's hoodoo breaking victory in Auckland was the Warriors only victory over the Dragons in the last decade, with their winning percentage against the visitors sitting at a lowly 20.8 per cent.

The Warriors can feel more optimistic about facing the Broncos, particularly in the mid-season, after winning last-year's corresponding home clash 36-18. Overall the Warriors have won 16 of 38 games against the Wayne Bennett coached side with a winning percentage of 42.1 per cent.

A pair of victories will brighten their prospects significantly, but should their poor form continue, they'll then face the prospect of chasing wins on consecutive away trips to Parramatta and the Gold Coast. Two bye rounds then bookend home and away games against Canterbury and Manly before a round 19 re-match against Penrith in Auckland following the third and final Origin clash.

Disillusioned Warriors fans shouldn't panic just yet - but a dramatic turnaround from the team is needed to retain their support.

The season is not yet at the halfway stage but their performances in the coming weeks could go a long way to determining whether they are still in the race come mid-July.