Kearney puts winning pieces together Fans will be leaning forward in their seats

League You know that chestnut? The old “we’re just worried about this week”? It applies to most teams — just don’t include the Warriors in that category.

For so long, regardless of what happened “this week”, of far greater concern to the Warriors is what they would dish out the “next week”.

History suggests that, despite the events that unfolded more than 5000km away in their first-up victory against the Rabbitohs in Perth, what the Warriors will produce against the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium today remains a mystery.

“We all know and all recognise that if you have the talent, but the attitude and appetite to work hard and maximise that talent — if you don’t have that, then the reality is it’s wasted talent,” coach Stephen Kearney says.

Wasted talent. Unfortunately, the Warriors have been a breeding ground of just that over the past decade. “It’s one thing having the talent but it’s another thing recognising that it needs other bits to go with that talent,” Kearney said.

Go ask Andrew McFadden, Matthew Elliott and Brian McClennan about the “other bits”.

Most years, there is so much hype around the Warriors to start the season. And generally, they fail to come close.

This year, expectation was at an all-time low. Some suggesting they were even wooden spoon-bound.

But 80 minutes into a 25-round season, some are wondering whether Kearney is the man to finally discover the “other bits” required to turn the club into the powerhouse it should be.

Whether it’s deliberate or just coincidence, there’s no denying the common link between the key signings in the off-season. Blake Green, Adam Blair and Tohu Harris — all have come through the Melbourne Storm system and culture of eternal success.

Then there’s the new head of high performance, Alex Corvo, the man credited for transforming a bunch of footballers into a group of athletes.

“Sometimes you just can’t come in and shape the team how you like it if players have existing contracts,” Kearney said. “Tohu Harris, Adam Blair — Blake Green has been fantastic. Blake will assist. That’s one part of

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the puzzle. Tohu Harris has a great deal of experience for a youngish guy and has a real smart footy head on his shoulders. I have no doubt the work Alex Corvo has been doing with the group will help.

“I’m not relying on Greeny to be the magic fix. There are a number of things that need to happen to fix things.”

This is where Shaun Johnson comes into the story. He has been the poster boy at the Warriors since his breakout year in 2011. A superstar. A game breaker. By this stage of his development, some would argue he should be far more than just a gamebreaker. He should be a matchwinner. That’s where the “other bits” come back into the equation.

“Shaun is an indication of what I’m talking about in regards to talent, potential and consistency,” Kearney said. “But the point I want to make is that I don’t have that expectation of Shaun. I need him to do his job. Sometimes that’s putting a ball into the pocket and getting down on a kick chase.

“It’s not every game that he’s going to come up with the magic play that will pull us out of trouble or win us the game. He’s got the ability to do that. I just need Shaun to do his job. That’s all I expect him to do.”

Kearney is now into his second season in Auckland. He’s had 12 months to stamp his authority and make significant changes to the roster. It’s his football team.

On paper, it’s a top-eight team. Top four, perhaps. But on paper they’ve been premiers in the eyes of some for years.

“It’s getting them to understand that ‘yeah, we do have some talent here’, but making sure we’re maximising that every time we play. I’m confident that if we get close to our potential and pay close to our capabilities consistently every week, then we give ourselves a real good chance of playing finals footy.”

It hasn’t been done since 2011. But for the mean time, let’s see what “next week” brings. The smiles are back in Warriorland.

So they should, after a cracking start to their NRL campaign in distant Perth last weekend.

And while the week has been full of cautionary noises — only one game, long way to go, etc, and all quite right, too — there should also be a wee spring in the step around the squad, and also the fans, ahead of today’s match with the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart.

The word is about 18,000 fans are expected. Now think back to last season, when they lost their last nine games on the bounce.

How would you go? It was awful. Only the true faithful were turning up well before the end and even they had long faces, many trudging along because, well, that’s what they do. This suffering lot deserve better and, touch wood, they’re about to get it.

Some hard thinking was needed in the off-season. The same shower as last year couldn’t continue, so in came Alex Corvo, a tough-minded strength and conditioning boss, and the impact was immediate.

Corvo has done time at the Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos, the Kangaroos and Queensland’s State of Origin squad. That’s a quality CV. David Leggat

There’s a strange breathing routine going on too in the huddles. This column can’t speak with any authority on the merits of that, but if it works, if it adds a positive element, then breathe deep, guys.

In 15 years as a head trainer, Corvo’s clubs have missed the playoffs only once. That tells you one thing; the guy is a winner, or at least capable of significantly improving those players on his watch.

Coach Stephen Kearney has said Corvo is demanding. The players had responded well to it. As they should.

The players look fitter, sharper and lasted the distance against Souths impressively.

There’s a strange breathing routine going on too in the huddles. This column can’t speak with any authority on the merits of that, but if it works, if it adds a positive element, then breathe deep, guys.

Warriors fans are a long suffering lot. Since the club made the grand final in 2011, it has been a barren stretch. Not one appearance in the playoff eight. Simply unacceptable.

Key players have come in and, on the albeit slender evidence of one game against Souths, will make a difference. Blake Green appeals as an ideal, cool headed, no frills organiser to take some weight off hot and cold Shaun Johnson; Tohu Harris and Adam Blair provide skill and solid grunt up front.

Simon Mannering, the industrious core of the pack, will return in a few weeks. They have finishing skill out wide and fullback Roger TuivasaSheck is a special talent. The signs are optimistic.

Right now, it’s the equivalent of the fans leaning forward in their seats in anticipation. So let’s see.

One thing; there can’t be any excuses if this campaign goes pearshaped, too.