A miserable Warriors season has come to a thoroughly miserable end, with a 44-0 loss to the Gold Coast on Sunday. Video / Sky Sport
Warriors coach Nathan Brown admits his team took a big step backwards with the dismal 44-0 defeat to the Titans on Sunday.
And that's probably an understatement.
While there was nothing riding on the result, the meek nature of the performance, coupled with the chaotic discipline in the second half,with three players sinbinned, was the worst possible way to end the season.
The Warriors conceded eight tries – five in the second half – and had Jazz Tevaga, Matt Lodge and Kane Evans dismissed, after a series of blow ups.
It's the kind of display that damages hard won reputations, after the team has impressed with their resilience in difficult circumstances this season
"The club has built a lot of credibility up over the last two years and when you see what you see today it makes you feel a bit flat," said a sullen Brown.
Peta Hiku of the Warriors looks on following a Titans try. Photo AAP Image
"We had players that took shortcuts and then our behaviour on the field wasn't acceptable. So a lot of hard work that has been done just can come tumbling down."
"[After] two years of sacrifice and hard work and you finish your last game in a manner that is not acceptable, as a head coach you have to take the brunt of that responsibility."
Brown refused to discuss individuals, though Lodge and Evans will be feeling some heat.
Lodge has already been suspended twice as a Warrior, and dodged another charge midweek, but seemed to lose focus completely on Sunday, engaged in a running battle with Jarrod Wallace before his cynical late shot on Tyrone Peachey.
But at least Lodge has an upside, with some impressive games since his mid-season transfer from the Broncos.
Evans seems to offer nothing but problems, put on report for an elbow, before being sent for unleashing punches during a melee. Given he was a high profile recruit – and others have been let go to accommodate him – it's been a dismal season.
Tevaga's brain snap was disappointing, as he was competing well up until then.
Brown admitted it had been a below par week – "We didn't prep well on Tuesday, which was probably our only good day to train" – and motivation may have been a struggle.
Asked for what might have caused Sunday's collapse then capsize, Brown said he "could rattle off a few things" but felt discussing them publicly would serve little purpose.
At times during the second half it felt like all the pressures, frustrations and disappointments of 2021 were coming to a head, but there were no excuses from the coach.
"Today aside I commend the boys for the sacrifices that so many of them have made, a lot more than any other club in the competition but it doesn't excuse what we did today," said Brown.
"The way we performed has nothing to do with our situation. The boys haven't once looked for an excuse to not train well or play well."
To add to the dejected mood in the camp, Euan Aitken's hamstring injury seems to be on the serious end of the scale.
"He has had a hammy before and he thinks it is pretty bad," said Brown. "It's a bit unfortunate."
The Warriors will have reviews, medicals and debriefs this week, before the players go on leave.
