Old boys inspire Warriors’ win

The Warriors bounced back in emphatic form - coming off a belting against the Titans a week earlier - to overcome the Broncos 32-16 in Auckland last weekend.

The heritage-round match drew a sold-out crowd to Go Media Stadium, and included a large contingent of Warriors old boys.

Head coach Andrew Webster said his boys spoke about the importance the old boys’ presence had on their performance.

“We spoke about how important the past was to the boys, they’ve had a big part of our history to the club. (We) also spoke about (how) the boys will be those guys some day.

“We had enough to play for at the weekend, but we also wanted to make sure we did the jersey and the old boys who wore it before them, do them proud which I think they did.

“There was a great moment when all the old boys came to the sheds, sang the song and it was a nice feeling.”

The Warriors wore their 2024 heritage jersey, reminiscent of their away kit from the 1995 season. While the Broncos wore a special jersey that acknowledged the season of Matariki.

At the game, players from the Warriors’ 29-year history were celebrated, including PMN’s Pacific Grandstand host Willie Poching.

Dynamite winger Marcelo Montoya said the win was even more special having the old boys present.

“It’s important for us as a club to recognise those players and what they’ve done for us, we’re big on that at our club here. For us boys we’re the present, and for us to acknowledge the past what they’ve set up for us here at the Warriors.

“(For us) to appreciate all the work they’ve done, to get the win for them and sit in the sheds after and have a good yarn was special.”

Montoya said he had caught up with former Warriors captain Steve Price who he had known since his time at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The Warriors face the Bulldogs this weekend, who are in red hot form winning their last four games.

Montoya expects the match to be an “arm wrestle”.

“I think they’re playing great footy, but for us it’s important to go there to play a game they don’t want to play. This year is more of an arm wrestle game. They get into arm wrestles and they love that type of footy.

“For us it’s about doing that for longer periods, and if we don’t do that with them they’ll beat us.”

Warriors v Bulldogs on Saturday 6 July, 5pm, at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park.