Euan Aitken urging Warriors to get things right ahead of Storm clash.
Warriors' prop Addin Fonua-Blake is confident he can make an impact against the Melbourne Storm on Sunday, despite coming off a 10-week layoff with a knee injury.
The marquee forward has been named on the extended bench for the round 13 game, but is expected to play, barring any latetraining mishaps.
Facing the premiers first up is a daunting task, but Fonua-Blake has to start somewhere.
His return is crucial for the Warriors, as he provide momentum that no one else can and is one of the most important players, alongside Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tohu Harris.
"The body's feeling good, the knee's been good, I've been doing a lot of rehab," said Fonua-Blake. "[But] it's gonna be a pretty hard task trying to get through a lot of minutes against Melbourne. What I try to do when I come up against them is have a good contest in the middle."
His presence is a significant bonus for the Warriors, as he was initially expected to be out until August.
After he limped off in round four, the early prognosis wasn't good. He needed surgery, as the club braced for a minimum four month absence. But the initial opinions were revised a week later, as swelling reduced and some strength reduced, raising hopes that an operation could be avoided.
"[They said] it would recover a bit quicker," said Fonua-Blake. "Just do a lot of rehab, get a lot of strength into it."
Addin Fonua-Blake after his injury in April. Photo / Photosport
His swift recovery has been built on long training days and plenty of weekend work.
"I'm very thankful to some of the staff," said Fonua-Blake. "They're given up their weekends to train with me. And when the boys have been training, I've been on the second field doing a lot of long runs by myself.
"It gets boring but the reward at the end of the tunnel keeps you pushing through those tough days."
Fonua-Blake was one of the Warriors' biggest signings in years and he quickly delivered on the hype. He averaged 173 metres in his three completed games, wins over the Titans and Raiders and a last gasp loss to the Knights.
"It's a massive boost," said second rower Ben Murdoch-Masila about his return. "To look next to you and see the big fella there, with a smile on his face. Good luck to whoever is in front of him for his first run."
The Warriors' squad have also been boosted by Wednesday's confirmation that the round 22 match with the Bulldogs will be staged at Mt Smart, after the NRL approved the initiative.
"We're really excited to get back there and we know we have a lot of fans there that have missed out on close to two years of rugby league," said Fonua-Blake. "I can't wait to get out there. I know what it's like to play against the Warriors when they have a big crowd back there at Mt Smart so I'm looking forward to going there and riding the wave with the [crowd]."
But the more immediate task is the Storm, as they look to end a winless run that dates back to 2015.
"Melbourne are such a good team, they have been for ten plus years, but if you are any chance of beating them so you have to match them," said Fonua Blake. "They have got very big forwards so you have to match them there and they have skilful halves, so you have to try and outplay them.
"Every time you come up against them you know you're in for a long day; you can't miss a jump otherwise they make you pay for it."
