Even though he returned before predicted, Wade McKinnon never doubted he would play this season.
The star fullback, who ruptured his ACL in pre-season, showed good patience in his re-entry to the top flight.
"We always had the goal of getting back around round 22," said a clearly
jaded McKinnon after the game.
"I knew I was going to get tired. Ivan [Cleary, coach] told me to play smart, don't go out there and try to do everything. When I got tired I sucked them in. I am very happy to be back."
McKinnon admitted his sixth-month rehabilitation was very frustrating but a comeback win against the Broncos was a fitting reward.
Cleary was happy to see his star No 1 playing with his head and heart.
"It is a big ask," he said. "Not just being out for six months but coming back from a huge injury as well. I thought he paced himself well and I couldn't ask for much more really."
Meanwhile, typically surly Broncos coach Wayne Bennett didn't regret the call to discipline Sam Thaiday for a crucial game.
"No," he said. "I wasn't disappointed with the guys who played tonight. It was a good game of footy. They were on their game tonight and we were off ours."
The legendary coach had plenty to say about the late tackles on his star halves. "Darren [Lockyer] got taken out twice and got hurt on one occasion and Peter Wallace got taken out," fumed Bennett. "Everybody agreed at the conference that if a kicker got tackled after he kicked the ball it wasn't going to be tolerated.
"It really frustrates me because everyone knows the rule and yet you turn up tonight and that happens. They deserve to be protected."
Lockyer voiced his concerns to referee Matt Cecchim about the treatment but there was no forthcoming action.
His rival skipper Steve Price, who didn't think there was anything in the incidents, felt like finals football had already arrived.
"You look at the table, mate," said Price. "There are a lot of teams fighting for survival. Finals footy has come early so it is good for everyone, I guess."
The Warriors are still in the hunt. McKinnon certainly hopes that is the case so his rehab has been worthwhile. "I have been waiting for this for a long time."
