The significance of the Warriors’ 46-32 win over Newcastle will primarily be rooted in the solid NRL debut of Jett Cleary, and the enduring memory the heartwarming vision of Ivan, Nathan and the rest of the Cleary clan cheering on our team’s every try from their bougie Go Media Stadium vantage point.
From a footballing perspective, it was a performance the Warriors should feel fortunate to walk away with the two competition points from as they chase a minor premiership.
From a record-book perspective, the Warriors made a dubious entry by conceding their equal-highest score in a win, matching the mark set in a 48-32 result at Penrith in 2001.
In a wake-up call without consequences, the Warriors fell behind 12-0 early before Knights prop Jacob Saifiti was justly sent off for ironing out club debutant winger Luke Laulilii in the 13th minute.
The Warriors ultimately capitalised on their one-man advantage to run in eight tries, but they were repeatedly, infuriatingly, incomprehensively stripped on both edges as the plucky visitors refused to throw in the towel.
The Knights fought back to trail by just two with 20 minutes left courtesy of a three-minute double to Greg Marzhew, but the Warriors did enough to close the game out with the last two tries of the match.
It’s hard not to feel like we would have struggled to claw back if not for the send-off. The Knights had just 46 percent possession, made just 1,373 metres to the Warriors’ 1,802 and lost the penalty count 8-3, yet they produced 11 line-breaks to the home side’s eight — four each coming from their two wingers.
The Warriors also made 14 errors to 10 in a scrappy display. Though Cleary had some fine moments, it seemed a team lacking direction and leadership in key positions.
Nevertheless, it was a win that kept the Warriors in top spot (just) in consecutive weeks for the first time in their history and guaranteed a top-two finish, giving Andrew Webster the luxury to rest players against Manly next week if he so desires (and isn’t concerned with chasing the J.J. Giltinan Shield in a for-and-against shootout with the Panthers).
A topsy-turvy edition of the Kingz Container Crew player ratings.
1 TAINE TUAUPIKI: Had a tough few minutes at the expense of Greg Marzhew midway through the second half, but that seemed spark him into action with a couple of sprightly runs. Sound enough overall, finished with 148 metres on 12 runs and was excellent off the tee again, slotting seven from eight. 7
2 LUKE LAULILII: A torrid club debut for Warrior #300, making an error on his carry and getting illegally poleaxed by Jacob Saifiti on his second, ending his day — and likely his NRL tenure with Wahs — after just 13 minutes. N/A
3 ALI LEIATAUA: Some good and bad moments on defence, made an underwhelming nine runs for 85 metres and gave away a penalty, but backed up to score the first try of the second half and produced a brilliant assist for Pompey. 6.5
4 LEKA HALASIMA: Part of a left-edge defence that appeared to have only met minutes before kick-off — and finished with six missed tackles — but was a shining light on attack. Ran for 176 metres on 13 runs, including a vital intercept charge in the second half, and racked up an eye-watering 13 tackle-breaks. Also had two errors. 7.5
5 ALOFIANA KHAN-PEREIRA: The problems started further in, but AKP appeared to jump the guns with his jams that allowed opposite Fletcher Hunt (who made four line-breaks) to grab a first-half double. Made a paltry 69 metres on seven runs, but zipped over for a crucial try that gave the Warriors an eight-point buffer with 17 minutes to go. 5.5
6 LUKE HANSON: Running game (seven runs for 65 metres, including five tackle-breaks) was an improvement and great hands to send AKP in, while he had another line-break assist. Made 14 tackles with no misses but his left edge regularly struggled for defensive connection. 6
7 JETT CLEARY: Bounced back from a rough start (penalty, missed tackles) to help lay on the Warriors’ first try. Subsequently produced three try assists and had a big hand — with passes and kicks — in another couple of four-pointers, kicked well and took the line on with gusto. Impressive overall for a debutant with far more attention on him than most, but not so outstanding that fans will be wringing their hands that he’s leaving. 7
8 JAMES FISHER-HARRIS: Another solid shift from the co-captain, racking up 14 runs for 123 tackles and 27 tackles. The last few weeks haven’t quite been at the usual 2026 level of TWL’s pick for the Simon Mannering Medal — perhaps holding a bit in reserve for the playoffs? 7
8 WAYDE EGAN: Integral to the initial fight-back, producing the assist for the Warriors’ first try and darting in for their second. Picked his times to run (eight runs for 66 metres) and made 25 tackles before hitting the pine with 13 minutes to go. 7
10 MITCH BARNETT: As has been the trend in recent weeks, put his hand up to do the bulk of the front-row grunt work — finishing with a massive, team-high (and a personal season-high) 194 metres (81 post-contact) on 18 carries and 21 tackles in 53 minutes. 8
11 KURT CAPWELL: A real mixed bag from one of the Warriors’ most reliable. Made 110 metres (54 post-contact) on 10 runs and produced some good defensive stops, but also made two ordinary errors, and gave away a crusher penalty and two six-agains. 6
12 JACOB LABAN: Nabbed the first double of his career — charging over in great style for the Warriors’ first and last tries — and set one up for Leiataua via his elite aerial skills. Racked up 102 metres on 13 runs with seven tackle-breaks and 26 tackles, but also had a couple of handling errors, all while sporting a bleach job channelling Jared Leto in Fight Club that surely left peroxide burns on his scalp. 8
13 ERIN CLARK: A powerhouse try in the first half and was a constant handful for the Knights’ defence, churning through 165 metres (65 post-contact) on 17 runs with five tackle-breaks, and a nice hand in AKP’s try. 8
18 ADAM POMPEY: A second straight unscheduled outing for the stalwart and had a better time of it this week…albeit with a few sketchy defensive decisions on a regularly-outflanked right wing and two errors. Tremendous grab of a bomb to send Vaimauga in and produced a wonderful finish himself with little room to move, while he racked up 122 metres on 12 runs. 6.5
15 TANNER STOWERS-SMITH: Another super-busy 38-minute shift from TSS, with a line-break among nine runs for 113 metres, plus 17 tackles. Almost had his first try of the season but for a little bobble. 7
16 DEMITRIC VAIMAUGA: Made the most of his 33 minutes in his 50th NRL game, steaming in for a try, making eight runs for 94 metres along with 15 tackles and getting his passing game going again. 7.5
17 EDDIE IEREMIA-TOEAVA: After steaming up the pecking order with some standout displays, it was an understated 29 minutes today for EIT — making five runs for 43 metres and 14 tackles but not really drawing much attention. 5.5
14 SAM HEALEY: Played the last 13 minutes, providing some good dummy-half energy with four runs for 43 metres. 5.5