KEY POINTS:
It's been a down-and-up season for Michael Witt, he and halfback Grant Rovelli copping much of the blame for the Warriors' early season defeats.
Now, Witt is riding high on confidence in a team that is firing on all cylinders. He is a player who prospers when the big boys up front make room and that is what's been happening in recent weeks.
The dummy half runners have also been creating space so both halves have been more comfortable choosing their option of running or passing and they've had more time to kick accurately.
Warriors great Stacey Jones has to be given much credit for the improvement in the team's field kicking, which now has them playing at the right end of the field. When they were losing earlier in the year it was usually because they were playing at the wrong end.
That field position alone increases their threat greatly.
"I'm just happy to be a part of it," Witt said of his early season demotion, his return and now the Warriors' run through the playoffs. "This is what you do the pre-Christmas training for, this is what you aim for all your playing career. We're here now, we have to take the opportunity now we have it."
They learned lessons from the two defeats suffered at the hands of the Sea Eagles this season, Witt said. The Warriors have hardened up, their ball control has improved and their defence will be way better when they play the Sea Eagles at the Sydney Football Stadium tomorrow night.
Witt has been something of an enigma, which is the main reason he was let go after two years at the Eels under Brian Smith then the same thing happening at Manly where he was a regular in 2005 but made rare appearances in 2006, spending much time in reserve grade.
But that mixed experience in Manly is not a motivation to win tomorrow night. "If you need extra motivation for this game you're crazy. It's the biggest game of my career, it wouldn't matter who we were playing."
Witt is enjoying making a mark for the Warriors in attack, his partnership with Nathan Fien in clearing the ball to the skilful, fast and - in Manu Vatuvei's case - big outside backs providing a new dimension in attack.
And with the kicks to the wings that Witt has been delivering with much greater accuracy now than he was early in 2008 he has an added threat once in the opposition red-zone.
All coaches will tell you that a steady pair of hands on the wheel at either half or five-eighth is required to win a title. The Storm have Cooper Cronk, the Sharks have Brett Kimmorley, Manly Matt Orford. For the Warriors, Witt and Fien provide a good balance in the roles.
Fien is tough, not scared to take the ball into the forwards when necessary, his ground attack kicks have improved out of sight through the year. His drawbacks are the look around before he runs/passes and a lack of super speed. Witt has the better instinct for a gap or the flick pass. He also has better pace and concentrates on the aerial kicking game.
The last games have been fast and physical. The Warriors have won by virtue of superior completion rates and tight defence. Witt expects the same job this week.
"The way we're playing has been working well. We're feeding off each other and working for each other. You know your mate is going to do his job so you have to do yours.
"Everyone is fighting fit, everyone is excited and confident," Witt said.
