Spirits still high at Warriors: Kearney

Sep 1, 2017 - 1:02 AM A club-record losing streak hangs over the Warriors but coach Stephen Kearney maintains the mood is upbeat at the perennial underachievers.

The curtain comes down on another forgettable campaign on Sunday when the 13th-placed Warriors face the 15th-placed Wests Tigers in a dead rubber at Leichhardt Oval.

A ninth successive defeat would be the worst in the club's 22 seasons of existence and leave a sour taste heading into next 2018.

Kearney insists that hasn't been a motivating force for a team who spiralled out of play-off contention weeks ago.

Instead positive energy has been channelled, including a desire to send departing trio Ben Matulino, Ryan Hoffman and Kieran Foran off on a winning note.

"I've got to say that through the course of the year it's been very challenging in the sense of results but they've turned up every week with a real attitude to want to improve," Kearney said.

"Their attitudes and energies have been wonderful given the circumstances."

Adding to the mental challenge this week has been overcoming the raw disappointment of last week's 22-21 golden point loss to Manly.

The performance in their final home game was an improvement on recent weeks but they lacked the know-how to finish it off, Kearney said.

"Probably the coaches needed a bit of a pick-me-up after Sunday," he said.

"They (the players) did a lot of things right and what they didn't do right, ultimately cost us the game.

"It was about making sure they understood that. I've got no doubt that's going to present itself at some stage - I guarantee next season."

Kearney was impressed enough to name the same starting team although halfback Shaun Johnson remains in doubt with a knee niggle.

The Warriors will cement a 13th-place finish if successful but a loss could see them surpassed by the Gold Coast Titans. The Tigers - who are still a chance to claim the wooden spoon - will leapfrog them if they win by 26 points.

Source: AAP