Complacency in past for Paasi

Warriors prop Agnatius Paasi conceded he has needed to stop being so ‘‘complacent’ as a footy player at the club.

The 26-year-old, who’ll start against the Broncos on Saturday, is back at the Warriors after three years away at the Titans, allowed to get out of the last year of his contract on the Gold Coast for compassionate reasons.

His career at the Titans got off to a great start and he quickly became one of their key players.

However, Paasi admitted he started to take playing in the NRL for granted and needed to snap out of that attitude at the Warriors; otherwise a career in the reserve grade NSW Cup was heading his way.

A knee injury hampered his return to the Warriors team at the beginning of this season and he had to battle his way up to the NRL side.

But in recent weeks he’s been in the starting team, with Adam Blair shifting to lock and he revealed he needed to improve his attitude to get a run in the first grade side.

‘‘I think I’m getting to the stage of not being complacent,’’ Paasi said. ‘‘When I was back at the Titans, I got a start there and then I got complacent.

‘‘But I’m definitely learning from that, so I think I’m getting to gel with the team now and prepping myself each week.

‘‘I’m also containing my weight and doing all those little things to start strong for the boys.’’

Paasi is listed by the Warriors as weighing 111kg. Previous listings during his career have ranged from 106kg to 115kg. ‘‘It’s been up and down,’’ he said. ‘‘During the pre-season I was a bit heavy, but I got myself down and now I have to stay there and work for the boys, not only myself and hopefully we can continue this winning streak.’’

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney, has been pleased with how Paasi has progressed through the early stages of the season, but he does anticipate seeing more from him.

‘‘I’m sure over the next couple of weeks you’ll see the best from him. I think he’s been a great addition to the group,’’ Kearney said.

Not playing in the first couple of games of the season meant Paasi was playing catch up and it was the other new signings likes Blair, Blake Green, Tohu Harris and Peta Hiku who grabbed all the headlines.

But he was determined to make the most of his time at the Warriors, even if it meant having to ask Kearney difficult questions.

‘‘It’s pretty tough with injuries and that sort of stuff,’’ he said.

‘‘I think it’s about trusting the systems, trusting the coach of what he has in store for us and also getting to know the team-mates.’’

‘‘Also going up to him and asking [Kearney] where I fit and how I can take that next step forward, to being in the NRL 17. That helped and I’m just doing those little things right to stay on top.’’