It’s not often you have an Australian sports journo singing the praises of a Kiwi team.
It’s even less often that you find a top four finish for a Warriors season a realistic possibility.
Yet, as the Newstalk ZB newsroom frantically checks the temperature of Hell and ensures there are no pigs flying soar past the window, the reality of the situation is as follows.
The Warriors after 15 weeks of football sit sixth, just four points off first. They have six out of their ten remaining games at home and will come up against 2023 strugglers in the Dragons, Titans and Tigers in that time.
Sports radio host and Channel 9 journalist Ben Dobbins told The Big League Podcast’s Nathan Limm that if Australians are yet to take notice of the Warriors this year, they’d better tune in quick.
“If they haven’t, they should, because you’ve got yourself a football team.”
Dobbins is hesitant to describe the Warriors this season as transformed and says their results have always been possible.
“I actually think you’ve got players playing to their potential. Shaun Johnson is back to his best… you’ve got Tohu Harris playing unbelievable, Bunty Afoa, Watene-Zelezniak unbelievable as well. This is a side that has always had talent.”
He continues to say he feels the sacrifice the Warriors made through Covid has gone somewhat underappreciated across the Tasman and that fans are seeing what is possible when the team is based at home.
Dobbins tells Nathan Limm Saturday’s second half dismantling of the Raiders in Canberra to spoil Jarrod Croker’s 300th game party is evidence of the resilience and grit in this season that has been lacking in previous.
“The Warriors have always had an abundance of talent, but they haven’t played as tough…they are a tough football team and that edge is what everyone’s been looking for and it’s there now.”
It’s results like these he says that will have given the side a belief in themselves that they can compete with the best in the competition.
“I think that they know who they are and that they know that on any day, they can beat any side in the competition.”
The NRL season has been a nightmare for tipsters, with upsets and underdogs cropping up most rounds. To put it in perspective, last year’s grand finalists the Eels sit ninth on the ladder, yet are only six points from first.
Dobbins says the nature of the competition and the fact the Warriors have played a number of the stronger sides already, gives them a prime opportunity to make a claim at a top four finish.
“I think the only thing stopping the Warriors is themselves and I know that’s such a cliché but if they believe, they can beat any team.”
Dobbins sees the Panthers, Broncos and Rabbitohs as mid-season favourites to secure a top four spot.
“Can the Warriors be that other spot? 100 percent.”
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