Warriors taking ‘whatever-it-takes’ attitude into Raiders clash

The Warriors will take a ‘whatever-it-takes’ attitude into their must-win home game against the Canberra Raiders at Moreton Daily Stadium tomorrow.

The clash will come just five days after their devastating 70-10 loss to the Melbourne Storm on Monday, but halfback Shaun Johnson says a short turnaround is just what they needed.

Johnson and injured captain Tohu Harris fronted the media this morning, via zoom.

Johnson, who says he’s been on the wrong side of loss like that to Melbourne a couple of times in his career, was asked if he’s shared that experience with his teammates this week.

“It’s not really a week of words, it’s probably more so actions. As a player, the best thing that can happen is you get a short turnaround and you get a chance to go out there and make up and right your wrongs from the week before,” he says.

“The fact that we’ve only had to wait five days to be able to go out there and try to show who we really are … I think that’s a positive.”

He says since the squad returned to their Redcliffe base, attention has been on what bouncing back and a good performance against the Raiders looks like.

“We want to still promote positive footy, obviously defence leaked a fair few points so tidying up that and getting back to what we’ve been doing throughout the whole year and just competing. We got to a certain point on the weekend that we probably fell away from,” he explains.

He says the side will take a ‘whatever-it-takes’ attitude into the game to be on the right side of the scoreboard tomorrow.

So, what is he expecting from the Raiders who also have a point to prove after their heavy loss to Penrith?

“We’re going to have to be very good if we have any chance of winning tomorrow. We are under no illusions of that just because of where they sit on the table,” he says.

“Both teams are desperate, both teams have probably got this game circled as must-wins. This week hasn’t been too much about the Raiders it’s been all about us and what we can do to control a good performance for us.”

A vocal home ground after a couple of tough weeks on the road might just make a difference.

“I feel like the local community has shown up really in their numbers for us, made us feel like it’s home. We haven’t lost up there yet, we’ve played some pretty solid games. The last game was a nailbiter,” he says.

“The locals love it, so hopefully they come out, bring that positive attitude, make some noise and just enjoy a really good day of footy – three games out here – and we put in a good performance and send them off home very happy would be my ideal day.”

Harris says it was hard to watch Monday’s loss from the sidelines and he’s hoping a good report from his surgeon next week will foreshadow a return to playing in the coming weeks.

“I can’t wait to get out there and try and help wherever I can or go through the highs and lows of footy with those guys.”

As captain what’s his job been this week?

“Just give those guys and the leaders that are playing support wherever I can. Hopefully, I can guide things in the right direction and keep the focus of the team intact. The other leaders have done a really good job this week and the team’s really keen for tomorrow afternoon,” Harris says.

“Hopefully we can bounce back and play the type of footy that we know we can play.

“Everyone, they’ve got that sour taste in their mouths and they really want to put in an effort to get that taste out of their mouths.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the energy that they run out with tomorrow afternoon because the only way to get past a game like that and get past an effort that we’re all disappointed by is to come out and put some pride back in the jersey and work hard for your teammates.”

Read about the tribute to SES volunteers happening at the game here