The Warriors are as good as the Rabbitohs, the Roosters and even the bloody Raiders! Back to back wins across the ditch is always a nice sign, but despite the many positives that we can take from Saturday's win over the Parramatta Eels, it's important to note that the Eels currently suck.

But, but, but. I feel like I had to add that in because despite the result, it still feels like the Warriors aren't quite on the same level as the league's upper echelon. While the NRL gifted us with a few top shelf performances and games this weekend, the Warriors beating the Eels was hard to watch. Especially as the Eels found themselves back in the contest thanks to the Warriors slipping a wee bit, rather than the Eels really stepping up.

Which is why this win was great. No more buts, this was performance where our lads dug deep and showed some kahunas, the type of performance that we wish the Warriors would serve up on a far more regular basis.

There were two key injuries with Thomas Leuluai and Ryan Hoffman both leaving the field, Leuluai with a bugger of a knee injury while Hoffman fell victim to an odd concussion courtesy of Nathan Peats' noggin. Hoffman was the bigger loss as Nathan Friend replaced Leuluai and we know that Friendy can play until mum calls the boys in for dinner, whereas Hoffman's replacement was Sione Lousi who hasn't featured much this season.

The biggest damage was felt on the bench though with two players down, the Warriors kept showing up defensively and did what was required to win. 

Two points.

Bodene Thompson appears to be on a mission for my heart, he's out to win me over and he's doing a great job of it. Bo-ey broke 7 tackles which was more than the entire Eels forward pack, both starters and bench boys combined as well as making 37 tackles, only Simon Mannering and Friend had more #holla.

Should I say, Sir Simon. This guy is a beast and is looking mighty impressive in the middle of the field where he can make an impact with his defence; 51 tackles  with no misses, as well as doing a great job on attack as he ran for the most metres of any Warrior with 150m.

The stereotypical 80 minute lock in the NRL just makes a heap of tackles, the Shaun Fensom type but they struggle to make much of an impact on attack. Mannering is forming a very solid all round game and even managed to break two tackles and get an offload out. I guess this was a Mannering type of win. 

Being down on troops was one thing, but to get a gritty win with a rather makeshift backline was also extremely handy. We've got to reserve special praise for Jonno Wright who seems like the perfect option to fill a Warriors backline spot; he's not the most athletic specimen and looks to be constantly running on a treadmill, but he does the job. The Warriors tend to go with the opposite, the physical freak who is rocks or diamonds, I quite like having someone who just does what's required. 

Ken Maumalo didn't set the world a-blaze with his call up in Manu Vatuvei's place but he'll be better off for the game. The other inclusion was Dominque Peyroux and he only sealed his place as a squad member, it's hard to see him demanding consistent selection. 

Lousi's effort did hint at demanding consistent selection. He's had an interesting start to his NRL career, playing a bit of prop off the bench and generally epitomising the confusing Warriors selection ideas over a number of years. I like him on the edge though, he's got a lot to work on as I imagine teams will target his size with more complicated plays thrown his way, but for mine, he's got to be on the bench every game. 

The most encouraging aspect and the biggest takeway from this game is something that has been a consistent theme all season; we've got a very good prop rotation. It's got a bit of variety with Jacob Lillyman resembling his 'Bull' moniker, while Ben Matulino is a big bigger and has the skills. Sam Lisone and Albert Vete come off the bench to add energy, to spice things up and bring the ruckus. All four rip in, they take no prisoners.

There's not much more to it, there was so much disruption to the team that how they played and who shined/stunk is all irrelevant. It was more about the effort and the desire to win which should impress all.

Don't go nuts though. The Eels aren't too flash and had far more errors and missed tackles than the Warriors. I've seen many Warriors teams fade rather badly after a nice start and they did that again, but they won. 

Now for a few weeks off.