KEY POINTS:
Why do the Warriors tend to lose away? Let me count the ways.
On the Gold Coast yesterday 99 per cent of those in the crowd of 25,310 were cheering for the Titans and jeering the visitors.
They were also riding the referee, which is standard. It's a
fact that referees, on average, blow more penalties for the home team than they do for the visitors. And home teams tend to get the benefit of the 50/50 calls on knock-ons and strips, forward passes and so on.
It's also a fact that home teams generally win, 34 of 54 games played so far this season have gone to the locals.
There's motivation for the home team to perform in front of family, friends and local fans they'll see on the street, as the Warriors do when at home.
To be fair, the away loses this year have been to last year's grand finalists Manly and Melbourne, the fourth-placed Cowboys and now 2008's top side, the Titans. The first three were predictable preseason, the latest foreseeable as this season has gathered momentum.
There are concerns, though. Too often the Warriors start slower than other teams, allowing their opponents a lead on the scoreboard. They continue to nod off at times during games, particularly when officials' decisions go against them and particularly at the back end of the first half. They also continue to make too many errors, concede too many penalties and give opponents too much ball to play with. Hence they do too much tackling, hence the fatigue factor, holes on defence and a blunting of the attack.
When the forwards aren't going forward, the Warriors' kicking game is severely shortened and they play at the wrong end of the field, as happened in Manly, Melbourne and Townsville.
Yesterday was better. The awful tendency to play catch-up with unnecessary off-loads, miracle back-flip and no-look passes appears to be under control, so that's good. There appears to be 80-minute commitment and there was no sign of giving up. Also good.
They have a home game against Canberra next that they can reasonably be expected to win, then a bye, then Penrith away.
Take six points in coming weeks and they remain firmly in playoff contention and that is what they should be aiming at, nothing less.