Top eight? Two in a row would suit Brown

The chatter has restarted about the Warriors making the finals this season, but for Nathan Brown he’s more focused on a short-term goal.

The Warriors had a narrow 18-16 win over Wests Tigers last weekend and with other results going the club’s way, they’re back in the hunt for a top eight finish, just a week after Brown all but conceded their chances were over, following the 60-22 hiding at the hands of the Rabbitohs.

Brown’s team goes into round 21 just four points outside the top eight and with a fairly reasonable run home.

After playing the eighth placed Sharks on Saturday, they take on the Bulldogs (16th), Broncos (15th), Raiders (ninth) and Titans (seventh) and an argument could be made for the Warriors to win all of those games, particularly with Addin Fonua-Blake, Matt Lodge and Chanel Harris-Tavita back.

However, for Brown his focus for now is more modest.

‘‘There are a big cluster of teams on 18 points and we play one or two of them and they’re going to play some of the top teams,’’ Brown said.

‘‘But for us, this is an opportunity to win two games on the bounce, which we haven’t done yet this year.

‘‘So rather than worry about what may come down the track, backing up and beating a Cronulla side that’s one of the teams on 18 points and winning two games in a row, should be a bit more at the forefront of our minds.

‘‘Generally on the back of a close win we’ve had a heartbreaking loss, so we’re looking to get some consistency. A bit of momentum is more important than anything else at this stage.’’

Warriors fans are used to their team being in a battle to squeeze into the top eight over the last part of the season and usually it’s a battle they lose.

But with four key players back and the seven-game losing streak coming to an end, there’s an extra spring in the step for those playing on Saturday.

‘‘To win a close game, which was our first one in a while was obviously pleasing and you’d think it would be good for confidence, especially when you add in people like Matt Lodge and Addin back into the team, guys who have got a lot of experience.’’