Tahlie Gavin
“Iron sharpens iron.”
That is the catch cry the Warriors have embraced in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup this season that has helped propel the club to the Minor Premiership and has them only one step away from the Grand Final at CommBank Stadium on Sunday 28 September.
The Warriors will take on St George Illawarra Dragons in a Major Semi-final at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday as part of a blockbuster finals weekend for the NSWRL which will feature six finals games across two days at the iconic venue.
It is the first time they will step out for this year’s finals series after a dominant season which saw the club finish 11 competition points clear of their nearest opponents the Dragons. It was an impressive effort considering they had a host of players called up to the NRL squad to cover injuries, particularly for prop Mitch Barnett and halfback Luke Metcalf.
Captain and lock Kalani Going, who was crowned The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year at the Brad Fittler Medal, said that was testament to coach David Tangata-Toa and the belief he instilled in the players.
“We’re building that ‘next man up’ mentality,” Going said.
“’Tangles’ (Tangata-Toa) doesn’t really care who steps up, everyone’s got a job to do.
“There’s pressure, but it pushes us to be better. It’s something going through the whole club. Iron sharpens iron, us and the NRL boys, we feed off each other.”
Going said there was a broader cultural shift at the Warriors, with NRL coach Andrew Webster working to align all levels of the club. That push has already started delivering results, with the club capturing back-to-back UNE Harold Matthews Cup premierships in 2024-25.
“’Webby’s’ doing a great job,” Going said.
“He is sort of trying to get all of us on the same page and work towards the same goal. It’s starting in the younger grades, and I think where the club is going is in a great direction.”
Going said the players had enjoyed a week off after finishing first from the regular season.
“It’s a good time for us to rest up, but also iron out the little things, the things we probably want to work on in our games and also try get better,” he said.
“It’s also just the time to spend with our families, enjoy the week off and just focus on next week when it comes.
“If we’re good enough to get the Grand Final, then so be it, but we will just take it week by week.”
As for being named the Player of the Year he said: “Yeah, it’s a bit of a surprise. There are plenty of good boys playing the comp so yeah, I’m pretty stoked about it. I’ll take that one.
“It’s a bit clichéd but I wouldn’t have been able to play the way I play without the team I play in. They help me be better and I love playing for the Warriors and it’s been a real fun year.
“Hopefully we just keep it rolling heading into the finals.”
