NRL: Big numbers testament to team losing the ball

Nathan Friend. Photo / Getty Images

Nathan Friend has 258 reasons to be frustrated with the current malaise at the Warriors.

That's the number of tackles the workaholic hooker has already racked up, just five games into the season.

Unlike some of his team-mates, Friend puts in a solid, steady performance every week. He doesn't always stand out - but he always stands up.

In his third season in Auckland, the 33-year-old is used to ups and downs at the club but admits it can be trying.

"We were miles apart from our performance in Wellington to Cronulla so I would love to put my finger on it," Friend said. "You don't know what goes on in people's heads."

After the forgettable start to the season against the Eels and Dragons, the resolve on the field over the next two weeks was palpable. Winning was non-negotiable.

However, as quickly as the steel and fortitude returned, it disappeared last Saturday in Sydney.

"We lose two and the boys were probably more switched on than they would be after a win," Friend said.

"Then we win two and the guys kind of pop in the lounge chair and forget about catching the ball. You would love to know what it is - you would turn it on and off."

Captain Simon Mannering adds: "It's more than just physical ability or performance. It happens far too often where we are giving the club a bad name and making it pretty hard for our supporters.

"You are not going to be physically 100 per cent every week but you still have to get a job done."

Friend hopes a long-term turnaround in attitude and subsequently performance can begin this weekend and believes it all starts on the training field.

"If we can start getting some consistency at training that may help when it comes to the weekends," Friend said.

"I think sometimes when we show up at training we are a little bit like how we are on the weekends, a little bit up and down."

There was a noticeable extra edge at training last week.

As the team completed a series of sprints at the end of one session, then were asked to do more after some players didn't meet the marks, one experienced forward yelled out "bloody hell - are you serious!" at Warriors trainer Carl Jennings.

Later in the same session, Ruben Wiki laid down the law, telling the players "either we are all in or not. Five minutes of work means five minutes of work - just like it happens in a game."

Friend is averaging 50 tackles a match and has topped the defensive statistics in all but one of the Warriors' games this year.

"It's my job," Friend said. "Though obviously if we can't hold the ball, we all have to do more defence."

Possession will be crucial today. The Bulldogs have showed ominous signs recently of being back to their 2012 form, especially in tough wins over the Storm and Roosters.

They have one of the biggest packs in the competition, a clever set of halves and pace in the backline.

Topping it off, captain Michael Ennis brings the perfect blend of mongrel and creativity to his dummy half role.