League: Warriors sitting pretty on defence

The Warriors are third on the table. Everyone knows that. Except, unlike the table that goes on wins and losses (which has the Warriors 11th), this table is based on defence.

Having conceded only 204 points in 10 games this season, the Warriors are headed by only the second-placed Sharks (186) and the Storm (191) as the best defensive teams.

Compare that to the fourth-placed Cowboys (252), sixth-placed Raiders (240) and even the Dragons (286), who are two places ahead of the Warriors.

Of course, the table never lies and the Warriors aren't among the league leaders because their record on attack is conversely the third-worst in the NRL but there's no denying the defence that was more like the Red Sea being taken on by Moses last season has remained steadfast.

In a game of statistics, it's a none too insignificant one that brings a smile to coach Tony Kemp. "We were pretty poor last year and leaked a lot of points," he said, pointing to the fact they conceded a staggering 693 points last season.

"It was our No 1 priority over the summer and we did an enormous amount of defensive work in the offseason because there's no good building an offensive plan if you don't have a defensive structure."

Taking off his builder's hat and stopping before he breaks into analogies about strong foundations, Kemp identifies the influence of defensive mastermind and former Warriors prop Kevin Campion as key to their success this season.

In half of their games, the Warriors have conceded fewer than 17 points and the 32 they leaked against the at-the-time red-hot Cowboys stands out as their worst defensive performance.

It means they are one of the most consistent sides in the competition and even the table-topping Broncos conceded 50 against the Storm earlier this season.

Kemp is quite coy about giving away too much detail about his "systems" and "structures", only to say it's based on "condition, aggression and making sure we're relentless".

The word relentless is a pervading theme at Warriors HQ and it's actually hard for the players to ignore it, considering it's emblazoned in huge, bold letters on one wall at their gym.

The Warriors will need to be relentless against the Tigers today if they are to reverse a trend at home that has seen them win only one of their five games at Ericsson Stadium, against the hapless Rabbitohs.

"Teams that come to Ericsson bring their best games," the coach said with a shrug of the shoulders. "The Roosters, Penrith, they haven't played like that again all season, while the games against Manly and Cowboys were quality games.

"We've played some pretty good teams and been pipped at the post and, while other teams are lifting, we really haven't changed all season."

If they can do more of the same on defence today, it will certainly go a long way to seeing them take a couple more steps up the real ladder.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY