It's taken ten attempts but the Warriors have finally recorded an NRL win in Perth, dominating a poor South Sydney side 30-14 in the first double header match at the new Optus Stadium today.
South Sydney were first on the board after eleven minutes when Cody Walker who clambered over on the left side. It didn't take long for the Warriors to level up, Isaiah Papali'i crashing over for the "visitors".
David Fusitu'a then grabbed the second try for the Warriors to put his side ahead of the first time. South Sydney moved to level the scores after 25 minutes when Richie Kennar scored.
That would be as close as the Bunnies got for the rest of the contest, the Warriors putting their foot down with tries to Sam Lisone (the bustling forward's first in 64 NRL appearances) and a second for Fusitu'a right before the break.
Leading 20-10 at the change of ends, the Warriors were keen to go on with the job - and they did just that in the 47th minute when Ken Maumalo scored from a perfect Roger Tuivasa-Sheck pass. Solomone Kata added to the tally and took the scoreline to 30-10.
The Warriors looked comfortable, until referee Grant Atkins put a spanner in the works by sin-binning Kata for a professional foul. Souths clawed a try back shortly after - a second for Kennar - but try as they might, the Bunnies couldn't chase the Warriors down, a late try to Cody Walker mere consolation as the Warriors held on for a 12-point victory.
Next week South Sydney are back in Sydney - Penrith to be exact when they play the Panthers at the footy of the mountains on Saturday evening. The Warriors host Saturday afternoon footy at Mt Smart Stadium in Round 2 against the Titans.