Despite losing for the second time in three games Warriors coach Tony Kemp took heart from his side's third round loss to the North Queensland Cowboys at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday.
The Warriors came storming back from a 12-0 deficit to take the lead mid-way through the second half but was unable to get across the line against a formidable Cowboys side.
"Commitment was absolutely awesome," coach Kemp told media after the 32-22 loss. "That should put to sleep all the doubters out there that don't think this team is going to compete for the rest of the year.
"Round 15 or 16 last year we would have capitulated but these boys dug in and got themselves in a winning position but unfortunately for us the momentum wasn't going our way for the whole game and we couldn't close it out."
So after beating the Broncos in Brisbane last Saturday night, the Warriors picked up their second loss of the season at home after a season-opening defeat to top-of-the-table Manly.
"Both games we have been right in it. With the rub of the green we will get the two points. That is all I am asking for - the rub of the green."
Referee Tony Archer had a terrible game that didn't allow the Warriors to get any momentum and he continued to penalise them at the play-the-ball.
That area of the game has been a major talking point out of the first two games of the season as well, with Manly dominating the Warriors in the department in round one before the Broncos complained that the Warriors were slowing things down themselves in Brisbane last wee.
"I think obviously last week there was a few people talking about how slow the play-the-balls have got," captain Steve Price said.
"Today we just didn't dominate the tackles well enough to slow the play-the-ball down whereas the Cowboys probably did it a bit better than us and that is why the penalties went against us.
"It is something we need to work on."
Kemp was pleased with the performance of his two hookers though, as both players were able to pinch good metres out of dummy-half and play large rolls in the match.
"Tevita [Latu] is working himself back into the game. It is crucial for him to get as much playing time as he can at the moment," Kemp said.
His starting hooker Nathan Fien produced a top quality game against his former teammates, directing play well from the number nine jumper, getting through a mountain of work on defence and proving to be a handful on attack as well.
"I thought Nathan Fien was outstanding.
"It is a great position to be in when you have got two number nines when one will probably play State of Origin and the other will push for a Kiwi selection."
The Warriors will face an improved South Sydney Rabbitohs at Ericsson Stadium next Sunday as they try to get back on track.
