The Warriors get first back to back winning start to a season since 2009
The Warriors are a happy team and not just because they've started the season with impressive back-to-back wins.
The side are enjoying their football of course, having beaten both the Rabbitohs and Titans, with some brilliant attack and committed defence a feature of both performances.
But even during the hard slog of pre-season they appeared a much happier and more unified outfit than in recent years and early on in their campaign they seem to have a better team spirit.
The club has always been good at welcoming and embracing player's families and partners and looking around the team's sheds after Saturday's 20-8 win over the Titans, it was apparent how close they all are and just how much they enjoy each other's company.
Several of the players had their children with them as they enjoyed subdued celebrations, with Blake Green's lively little boy Boston loving every moment, while his mother Sarah was minding Tohu Harris' young son Harlan in the adjoining room, and Adam Blair's young son also present.
The Warriors go through their breathing exercises during Saturday's win over the Titans. Photo / Photosport.
Green and Harris are mates from their time at Melbourne, and the new playmaker has struck up a close friendship with Warriors veteran Simon Mannering, with their two boys also getting along.
New front-rower Blair is tight with coach Stephen Kearney and all of his Kiwis test teammates and highly regarded by the side's young forwards.
Former Warriors junior star Peta Hiku is loving being home after stints at Manly, Penrith and Warrington, and the likes of Isaac Luke, Shaun Johnson and captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also seem rejuvenated and more relaxed in the new environment.
That close bond has served them well over the opening fortnight and helped the team overcome some adversity.
Following their historic win in Perth last week some players and members of the football staff were affected by a stomach bug, and both Green and Solomone Kata were unable to train on Tuesday, although they only missed the one session.
Kearney conceded after the win over the Gold Coast that he had been concerned his side might be in for a tough afternoon, given the travel factor and weariness of his players.
It's worth noting the three other teams that made the long-haul trip to Western Australia for the round one double-header – Souths, Canterbury and Melbourne – all looked off the pace and suffered defeats this weekend, but not the Warriors.
In years gone by such set-backs might have been enough to bring them undone but despite being patchy in periods, they had the belief and resilience to go on with the job against the Titans.
New front-rower Adam Blair says the club is heading in the right direction. Photo / Photosport.
"I came here for a challenge and there's a great group of boys that really want to succeed," Blair said of the atmosphere at the club.
"They love the taste of winning because of previous years they obviously haven't felt that before and I think everyone gets a sense of belief that we're heading in the right direction.
"You can see it in the way that we play that we're happy, we're enjoying our football, and we're looking after each other on the field.
"That's the good thing, we know we've done all the hard work, we're physically prepared, so nothing's going to challenge us."
They will look to make it three wins in a row for the first time in the club's history when they embark of a difficult road trip to Canberra that requires two flights each way.
Blair said it was a matter of ensuring their preparation is the same whether they are at home or away and the rest will take care of itself.
"It's part of being the Warriors, we've got to travel and we've got to go over there and do a job," he said. "Nothing gets any easier and every game is a tough game.
"We'll prepare well again like we have through the pre-season and the last couple of weeks to go over there and put our best foot forward.
"We're heading in the right direction. It's about just focusing and during our couple of days off making sure we are just relaxed and take our minds off football.
