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Humble Stephen Kearney praises Warriors staff ahead of finals appearance: 'It's not down to one person'

September 3, 2018
Coach Stephen Kearney during a Warriors training session at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. NRL Rugby League. Wednesday 5 April 2017 © Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney paid tribute to the club's unsung heroes ahead of their first taste of NRL finals football since 2011.

Finishing inside the NRL's top eight for the first time in seven seasons, the Warriors will travel to Sydney, where they'll meet Penrith for the second time in three weeks this Saturday night.

Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, Kearney made it clear that the club's success isn't just down to him, or the playing squad on the field, but the entire Warriors organisation.

"There has been a lot of hard work by a lot of people," Kearney said.

"When football clubs achieve any sort of success it's not down to one person, there is so much hard work put in by everyone, with a lot of commitment, sacrifice and courage to be able to do that.

"Everyone's done a great job for our members and fans and we've got to make sure we use this as a platform."

Kearney also said that the recent success won't be underestimated by his side, well aware of how quickly things can change within the NRL.

"If you look at the Cowboys, they've played in two Grand Finals in the last three years and this year they were nearly playing off for the wooden spoon."

"That's how quickly it can happen and as quickly as we've ascended, the opposite can happen if you take your eye off the ball."

"So I'm wary of that. I'm not looking past this week, but in the back of my head I'm thinking that that's what we need to look after moving forward."

The Warriors face the Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night NZT.

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