KEY POINTS:
Micheal Luck was due to host a gathering last night.
It would be inaccurate to call it a party because there weren't any guarantees there would be anything to celebrate. There would have been nerves, a couple of drinks might have been imbibed and there would definitely have been some banter.
A fair proportion of Warriors headed around to Luck's place to watch the two NRL semifinals played last night on his big screen. You can be certain they would have suddenly become Manly and Cowboys fans to ensure their continued involvement in the 2007 NRL season.
The Warriors were optimistic they would still be involved, given that no team from the top four had ever been eliminated after the first week of the playoffs since the McIntyre System was introduced in 1999. History, though, is there to be rewritten.
It shouldn't come as a surprise to learn Luck offered to host the gathering. Last week, he won his second-straight Warriors Clubman of the Year award and the 25-year-old is the walking embodiment of selflessness. Every club needs a player like Micheal Luck.
Against the Eels on Friday night, he executed a game-high 42 tackles to become the first NRL player to exceed 900 tackles this season. It was also his 49th consecutive appearance for the Warriors since arriving at the club at the start of 2006.
"Six weeks ago I was hurting a bit but it doesn't hurt as much when it's finals footy," he said. "This is my first time [in the playoffs]. I loved it and I hope there's more to come.
"I've learned how to look after myself a bit better because I'm not 18 any more. But there's also a lot of luck about it."
The former North Queensland lock, who this year received a call up as 18th man for the Queensland State of Origin team, admitted he was nervous before Friday night's big match in front of a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium. But not because of what was at stake.
"I get nervous, but not because of the occasion," he said. "I get nervous about the collision... and I try not to let my boys down. That's what I get nervous about."
He didn't let anyone down, although he was disappointed to miss four tackles. He was in good company considering Nathan Hindmarsh, regarded as one of the best tacklers in the business, missed five. Hindmarsh was his team's busiest with 39.
If anyone needed reminding, Friday night showed that defence is a major requirement to build a title-winning campaign. And if the Warriors did manage to live to fight another day, Luck would be a critical part of this. Like most things he does at the Warriors.
