Shaun Johnson: Warriors are ready to peak, as NRL season reaches a climax

Shaun Johnson believes the Warriors are ready to peak, as the NRL season reaches a climax.

The halfback also feels that their progress so far in 2018 has changed the perception of the club, from nearly men to genuine contenders.

The Warriors are well positioned to make a finals push, sitting in eighth place, and four points ahead of the chasing pack, heading into the final quarter of the season.

But the team's form has wavered over the last month, dropping three of their past four games.

Two of those defeats were close (versus the Storm and Sharks), alongside a surprise meltdown against the Panthers.

It means the Warriors could face a tense few weeks, which might undo the solid platform established earlier this season.

But Johnson feels the team is ready to hit new heights, to both seal a finals berth and finish as high as possible.

"I'm really excited, especially with the commitment we have got towards each other in this group," said Johnson. "I know there has been a lot of hype and a lot of talk, and opinions on how we are going to go for the next six weeks change from game to game."

"[But] within the group we have got goals and standards, things that we want to do. Having 30 players committed to that cause is a good feeling and we are looking forward to the challenge."

The Warriors can't afford a repeat of previous collapses.

In 2014 they were sixth towards the end of July, but lost five of their last eight games to slump to ninth.

A year later they were in the top four with two months of the regular season to go, but an injury to Johnson was the catalyst for a disastrous eight-game losing streak.

It feels different this year, given the consistency of their performances, rather than the rollercoaster rides of previous campaigns.

"We are 11 and seven and I don't think we have actually been in this position [for a while]," said Johnson. "When we talk about ups and downs , it's been one game slips, and all of a sudden that's the standard now, where the Warriors are a bit off."

"We are changing that mould of the Warriors and the perception of the Warriors, which is a good thing. If we continue on that path I think we can really make a dent."

However, centre Gerard Beale, who has been involved in finals dogfights with the Broncos, Dragons and Sharks across this decade, adds a note of caution.

"It's important we really enjoy this ride," said Beale. "We are in a good position and I have full confidence in our team. In saying that, it is the NRL, it's a fairly tough competition and everybody lifts at this time of year. But I'm confident."

The Titans loom as a classic banana skin on Sunday.

They have flair across the park, a classy playmaker (Ash Taylor) and grunt and skill in the forwards, with the likes of Kevin Proctor and Ryan James.

They are a better team than their current position (12th) indicates, and are due to end their woeful run against the Warriors, having won just one of the last 15 encounters.

"[For us] it's about patience and getting to the back end of our sets," said Johnson. "We seem to create opportunities but then get really excited off the back of it and try to force something. We [need] to take our medicine and play tackles four and five and put in a good kick."