The Warriors Bounce Back!

 patched-up Warriors side exorcised some of the demons of a miserable past week and broke an 11-game, nine-season losing streak against St George Illawarra, with a cathartic NRL victory at Mt Smart Stadium today.

The result was always going to go one of two ways: The Warriors would collapse further under the immense strain of a drama-filled week, in which six of their best players were dropped for breaking team protocol following their insipid 42-0 Anzac Day defeat to Melbourne, or they would find the mettle and resolve to bounce back and produce the gutsy kind of effort that fans have been crying out to see.

The 12,752 strong crowd of masochists got the latter, thankfully, with first-half tries to Shaun Johnson, Matt Allwood, Charlie Gubb helping them to a 18-10 halftime lead, after the Dragons managed two four-pointers to Euan Aitken and Kalifa Faifai Loa.

As they did against Melbourne, the Warriors again looked frail on the edges and struggled to defend errors and were fortunate the visitors were denied three tries, with the bunker overturning two first half efforts for obstruction.

But improved goal-line defence in the second-half, and unforced errors and penalties from the Dragons surrendered momentum, before Jeff Robson scored inside the last quarter and a 75th minute penalty to Johnson sealed the result.

Relief was the overwhelming emotion felt by coach Andrew McFadden, who was more satisfied by the grit shown by his players rather than the securing of two much-needed competition points.

"I just wanted to show out some spirit and character because it's been a tough week," he said.

"Probably not many people understand how big a week that was for the players and how much pressure they were under.

"It was never going to be all smooth sailing for us and it wasn't but we had to show the desperation."

"But as a group we need to make sure we build some resolve out of this."

Already missing the strike-power and leadership of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Simon Mannering and Tui Lolohea, and the talents of five of the ill-disciplined group - Manu Vatuvei, Ben Matulino, and Bodene Thompson, and young front-rowers Sam Lisone and Albert Vete - that were out until 3am midweek, the Warriors were dealt yet another blow pre-game, with Thomas Leuluai ruled out with a hamstring injury.

But replacement five-eighth Robson, rookie fullback David Fusitu'a and others thrown a lifeline - Tevaga, James Gavet, and fill-ins Sione Lousi, John Palavi and Matt Allwood, and 21-year-old debutante Toafofoa Sipley - were all committed, while Issac Luke responded to his bench demotion with an expected and much improved running and defensive game.

"They came in and gave us some energy and performed very well," said McFadden. "They were terrific, so it was very pleasing."

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