Addin Fonua-Blake of the Warriors scores a try against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday 16 September, 2023. Photo: Photosport
Analysis - Here it is, the most important Warriors game in 12 years.
Tonight, the side takes the field at the hallowed Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, against a powerful Broncos side that is looking to add a seventh premiership next weekend to their storied history.
The Warriors are looking for their third grand final appearance, after going to the big dance in 2002 and 2011. Both times they were soundly beaten by the Roosters and Sea Eagles respectively, but also were off the back of successful periods of the club's history with the team stringing together consecutive runs to the playoffs counting the seasons beforehand.
Not so in 2023. The momentum racked up this this year is off the back of arguably the worst season in the club's history, with players and a head coach leaving contributing to 18 losses and a second-last place finish on the ladder.
NRL Preliminary Final
Broncos Warriors - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kickoff: 9:50pm NZT
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Interchange: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris
Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran
So, what do the Warriors need to do to win in Brisbane and advance to a grand final against the Penrith Panthers next weekend in Sydney? Simple, really:
Shut down the turncoat
Reece Walsh has been in incredible form this season, earning an Origin call up and being an integral part of the Broncos' success. However, the Warriors did a fantastic job of smothering Newcastle's Kalyn Ponga last weekend - not by trying to smash him, but simply rushing up and not giving him any room. Walsh might prove to be a trickier customer, but the blueprint is there, especially since he played for the Warriors and walked out before his contract was up.
Former Warriors player Reece Walsh now plays for the Broncos. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kick to the corners
Blast it downfield to find land, not hand, and get the Broncos finishing their sets on their own side of halfway. OK, easier said than done, but if Shaun Johnson can pin Selwyn Cobbo and Jesse Arthars back on their own 10 metre line then it will immediately set the tone for the following defensive set. That in turn will give Johnson the important space he needs to play his game on attack.
Addin the wrecking ball
Addin Fonua-Blake is enjoying his best season in first grade, with nine tries and almost 700 tackles so far in 2023. His ability to find gaps around the middle of the park has been a revelation and had made him a genuine attacking red zone threat, but the trick for the Warriors will be how to manage his workload so it pays off when they need it to.
Take the crowd out of the game
The Warriors have relied on passionate home support so far in 2023, but while the New Zealanders at Suncorp will make themselves heard, the vast majority of the sell out crowd will be roaring the Broncos on. If the Warriors can get off to a fast start like they did against the Knights and score a few tries to nil, maybe a decent chunk of those folks will start heading back to Caxton Street to drown their sorrows early.
Goal kicking
Will Johnson take the kicking tee back off Adam Pompey, or will he even need to? The Warriors centre has been taking the shots ever since Johnson's troublesome calf injury flared up, but has been reliable and landed six goals last weekend. None of them were clutch kicks with the game on the line, though, which Johnson has done already this season back in the Warriors' thrilling win over the Sharks.
No fear
The Warriors have already massively exceeded expectations so far in 2023, so while saying they have nothing to lose is inaccurate because they are literally in a contest they can lose, not many are going to begrudge them as long as they go in swinging. That at least means they'll go down swinging, which really is all Warriors fans ever want to see from their side. The future looks bright under Andrew Webster, but right now all that matters is tonight.