‘Irritated’ Green shows class in leading side to win

SYDNEY: Blake Green felt he had a point to prove after being publicly dumped by Warriors owner Mark Robinson, just a couple of days out from his side’s NRL match against the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night.

The veteran halfback found out through the media that the Warriors would not be resigning him for the 2021 season.

With regular skipper Roger

TuivasaSheck unavailable due to suspension, Green (33) responded by leading the Warriors to a comefrombehind 2616 win over the Broncos in Gosford.

He stood up in the absence of halves partner Kodi Nikorima, who was forced off the field early in the first half with concussion, guiding the Warriors around the park with a clever kicking game, highlighted by a booming 4020.

‘‘I didn’t leave my room yesterday to be honest,’’ Green said after the match.

‘‘I had two points to get and a game to win for my footy team so I put it to the side.

‘‘It irritated me a little bit but the club’s made a decision and I can’t do anything about that, so I’ll just keep playing my role in the footy team and do as best I can.

‘‘I gave everything I had to the club and I’ll continue to do so. I get along really well with the playing group, there’s some fantastic people there. It is what it is.’’

The result gave interim coach Todd Payten his first win in charge of a first grade side, and the Warriors their third win of the disrupted NRL season.

Payten conceded the timing of Robinson’s comments was not great, but has hailed Green’s response.

‘‘You know he’s had a really tough week. I can’t commend him highly enough about his contribution to this club and the way he took the week on,’’ Payten said. — AAP