Generation next put on a show to warm the heart of every Wests Tigers fan as halfback Luke Brooks produced one of the most memorable NRL debuts in years to guide his side to a 34-18 win over St George Illawarra at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.
Unfortunately, the nature of knockout football is that we reward mediocrity by giving weaker teams a second chance.
Dominique Peyroux has proved his value as the closer for the Warriors, steadying things in the final minutes with the result on the line, but he's staking a claim for an expanded role and his coach seems ready to give it to him.
For me, the most effective way to learn combines learning from the experience of losing or disappointment with the confidence gained from winning games and being successful.
The owner of UK Super League outfit Warrington Wolves has been in touch with organisers of the Auckland Nines about whether his side might one day compete in the event.
Rugby league star Benji Marshall has confirmed today that he is moving back to New Zealand to play rugby for the Blues.
The Kiwis selectors have a few difficult decisions ahead of them as they settle on their World Cup squad but they might be saved from having to make one of the hardest calls with Benji Marshall's switch to rugby.
A desire to please his parents was behind Steve Matai's decision to switch allegiance from New Zealand to Samoa at this year's World Cup.
Like most players, Issac Luke rattles out the line that he just hopes he makes the New Zealand side for the upcoming World Cup. In reality, he's the one player the Kiwis can't do without if they're to defend their world title.
The Roosters, Rabbitohs and Storm might loom as favourites for this year's title but I would suggest the Warriors would rather play any of those three this weekend than Manly.
The mark of the best players is not how well they play, it's how often they do it and it's something Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson is coming to grips with.
As frustrating as it was, there were two small mercies in last night's dispiriting loss to the Sharks.
The Warriors have a bad case of Saturday night fever - and this affliction is nothing to sing and dance about.
Grand final tickets go on sale to the public on Tuesday. Manly fans should start queuing up this morning.
Shaun Johnson has been maturing nicely this season but he didn't need to look far last night to see a player who consistently delivers at a high level.
One of the biggest contributions to the amazing turnaround of the 2013 team is undoubtedly new coach Matt Elliott.
The looming departure of Neil Henry still stings Matt Scott but it has not stopped the North Queensland co-captain giving Kevin Walters the thumbs up as his replacement.
The Warriors are on a run reminiscent of their streaks of 2008 and 2011 and there's a hope they can at least replicate what those two sides achieved.
He is a player the Kiwis were banking on having at the World Cup but Thomas Leuluai hasn't decided whether he will play for New Zealand or Samoa.
With a move to Eden Park now firmly on the Warriors' horizon, the challenge of winning a premiership title may become even more difficult.
Just like the fans, Dane Nielsen wondered where the Warriors were going as he watched the mid-season train wreck against the Panthers in May.
The status quo can no longer remain as regards the NRL salary cap and its determination to spread the talent across the clubs to try to make it an even contest.
One of the more unlikely streaks in the NRL rolls on.
If you want to see what lies behind the Melbourne Storm's culture of success, ask the players about their notorious pre-season 'boot camp'.
Nathan Friend still doesn't know where he will be playing next season but, if anything, his form has only improved since being told by the Warriors he was free to look for a contract elsewhere.
I have never seen the NRL ladder look so congested at this time of the season, but the Warriors will sneak into the top eight.
Even Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy refers to them as the Big Three and the return of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater has made a tough task at Mt Smart Stadium even more difficult for the Warriors on Sunday.
This weekend marks the NRL's rivalry round but there's already more anticipation around Manly's game against Parramatta next weekend.
Some doctors are becoming increasingly concerned rival clubs are flouting rules on concussion and that the NRL doesn't appear to be doing anything to enforce its own rules.
Stephen Kearney had very little time to think about and prepare for the World Cup in 2008.