Halftime usually results in a footy team coming out and rectifying their first half performance. For the Warriors in Perth it was the complete opposite, enough to almost bring me to tears before common sense prevailed.

The time difference, travel and those bloody refs are all easy targets. But the Warriors got taught a lesson in desire and attitude, a lesson that came at a good time. They had been growing and building well but this loss will bring them back to reality and should serve as a reminder to all of us as to why the Rabbitohs are a top 4 footy team.

How about that first half though?! Haven't seen the Warriors play like that before with the likes of Nathan Friend getting amongst the niggle and the rest of the team looking up to the challenge of taking it to this group of Bunny big boppers. Even Shaun Johnson got some hits in! It wasn't a complete performance but they were going blow for blow with one of the best teams in the NRL.

The signs were there though. The Rabbitohs were getting quick play the balls with ease and were rolling down field on the back of them. You can't pinpoint the second half performance on one thing - it's a combination of the tough defence they had to do in the first half, the effort it took to have to stop a Rabbitohs team who seemed to always be on the front foot AND the time/travel factor. Oh you might as well add the fact that this was a Rabbitohs side with their backs against their wall, depleted by injuries, without their top dawg Greg Inglis ... it was a pretty inspiring performance from the Bunnies.

Shout out to Manu Vatuvei. No one is running the ball harder than him, he's consistently dominating tough carries and his hands are working. Love it. To be honest, no one really had shockers, maybe Sam Tomkins lacked a bit of execution in the clutch but it wasn't like it was a terrible performance that we have come to expect. Just a reminder that things don't come easy in the NRL.

The bye comes at a good time for the lads. They'll get some much needed rest, but it'll give the entire club a chance to sit back and have a look at a few things. It's been a pretty whirlwind past few months for the Warriors and to be able to get some film study in, refresh, look at how tactics and strategies are working etc will be important. At least the guys will have the NBA finals to watch.