The Warriors are facing a significant issue.
They struggle to find momentum when the game deviates from their strategy.
This could determine whether they ultimately hoist the trophy or watch another team celebrate.
Their match against Newcastle in Round 26 highlighted this flaw, with the Warriors trapped in a tough battle against a Knights team that played with 12 men for nearly the entire match after Jacob Saifiti was sent off early.
Before this match, Newcastle had an average of just 26 points per game, the second-lowest among the top eight teams.
Despite their disadvantage, they managed to put up 22 points against the Warriors.
Sandon Smith also missed two conversions, indicating the Knights could have realistically ended with 26 points.
For a squad with serious championship ambitions, this should raise immediate concerns.
The Warriors' issues weren't solely about conceding points; their defense crumbled when the Knights pushed them off their intended game plan.