LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Dally M Update: DWZ and Barnett Shine in Warriors' Victory
In a true display of grit and determination, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Mitchell Barnett have secured nine out of the 12 coveted Dally M points for their stellar performances in the NZ Warriors' thrilling 24-20 triumph over the formidable Dolphins on Sunday.
Watene-Zelezniak, stepping up for the injured Taine Tuaupiki, made only his second start at fullback for the Warriors and truly dazzled in his old position.
The dynamic fullback notched up a well-deserved five points, showcasing his prowess with a crucial try that put the Warriors ahead.
With a remarkable 205 metres gained from 22 explosive runs, including 52 post-contact metres, a blistering line break, five tackle breaks, two slick offloads, and zero errors, Watene-Zelezniak truly left it all out on the field.
Meanwhile, Barnett, leading the team as captain for the day amidst a lineup depleted by injuries, delivered a powerhouse performance in his unyielding 73-minute stint.
The hard-hitting forward bulldozed his way through the Dolphins' defense, racking up an impressive 183 metres from 20 hard-fought runs, 74 post-contact metres, a thunderous line break, four tackle breaks, one crafty offload, 24 solid tackles, and no mistakes.
The remaining three points from the match were awarded to Dolphins' standout, Herbie Farnworth, for his valiant efforts on the field.
As the race for the coveted Dally M accolade heats up, the voting process will now be conducted behind closed doors for the remainder of the regular season.
Stay tuned for more thrilling action and outstanding performances as the Warriors continue to defy the odds and push towards glory.