The Warriors rumbled to an emphatic 40-6 win over hapless defending premiers Brisbane Broncos in their own backyard, but another big step forward in title contender-ship was tainted somewhat by a likely suspension and another potential major injury blow.
In a chaotic three-minute period midway through the first half — with the Warriors already leading 10-0 — recently re-established fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was sin-binned for a hip drop on Broncos opposite Reece Walsh.
Walsh lasted long enough on the paddock to throw a pass intercepted by Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who scorched 90 metres for a try. Luke Metcalf, in his first appearance at Suncorp Stadium since last season’s devastating ACL blow, kicked the conversion and immediately grasped despairingly at a pulled hamstring.
The night was over for Walsh (who later emerged in a moon boot) and a crestfallen Metcalf.
The Warriors added a couple of penalty goals for a 20-0 halftime scoreline and posted another three tries in the first 15 minutes of the second stanza.
The Broncos belated landed on the scoreboard through Kiwi prop Xavier Willison on the hour mark, before Leka Halasima’s late try completed the scoring.
The tone for a rout was set early with Jacob Laban crashing over in the eighth minute off Wayde Egan and Chanel Harris-Tavita stepping his way through from Metcalf’s quick hands soon afterwards.
The match slipped into a stilted pattern after the injury bedlam, but the Warriors refocused after the break to put their foot on the Broncos’ throats.
Nicoll-Klokstad, at five-eighth with Taine Tuaupiki coming off the bench at fullback following Metcalf’s exit, gloved a high kick to score, before Ali Leiataua set up Dallin Watene-Zelezniak for one of his best finishes yet then crossed himself.
A scrappy final 20 minutes hit a high point as centre sensation Halasima crashed over in the corner.
Amid the disruptions, the Warriors were clinical and physically dominant.
They made 1,663 metres to the Broncos’ 1,152 — a disparity more starkly emphasised by the average set distance difference (41.58 metres to 26.18).
The Warriors completed well (85 percent), defended stoutly and always looked calm in a match that, from afar, seemed to lack intensity as their second-last opponents crumbled to a 12th loss in 13 games.
The victorious Warriors, meanwhile, joined Penrith in equal-second — and only trail them by four for-and-against points. Remaining fixtures against Souths away, and Newcastle and Manly at home provide a mouth-watering opportunity to push for a top-two finish and a guaranteed pair of home finals.
But it’s again the No.1 and 7 jerseys that will dominate Team List Tuesday discussions ahead of the Round 25 clash with the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.
NRL — ROUND 24: Warriors 40 (Jacob Laban, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Leka Halasima tries; Harris-Tavita 4, Luke Metcalf 2 goals) defeated Brisbane Broncos 6 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Poor Luke Metcalfe. I thought he might just have the x- factor to win us a premiership. Then I remembered why I wasn't upset when he signed for the dragons. He's just too fragile.