The NZ Warriors took a lot of credit for their five-game winning start to the 2018 NRL season and according to Shaun Johnson, that praise should have fallen at the feet of their coach.
Stephen Kearney was the bookmakers' favourite to be the first coach sacked this season, but with a five-win, one-loss start, the former Kiwis mentor has the New Zealand club aiming high.
The 45-year-old presided over a disappointing 2017 season - his first at the helm of the Warriors - with the club losing their last nine games.
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But with a recruitment drive that brought in the likes of Tohu Harris, Adam Blair, Pita Hiku and Blake Green, the Warriors have been a different proposition this season.
Playmaker Johnson says Kearney copped a lot of flak a year ago, but has received very little credit for how the side has tracked through the first six weeks.
"It's easy to overlook the coach when things are going well and everyone else is gaining kudos for your success, but the coach is a big part of that [success]," Johnson told media in Auckland on Tuesday.
"If we lose a few games in a row, I can guarantee you 'Mooks' [Stephen Kearney] will be one that's getting hit with it all, so a lot of credit needs to go to him.
"Good or bad, win or lose, he will always be there to take all that.
"Things take time. He has stuck to what he believes in and we have started to see some rewards for that."
For his part, Kearney isn't fazed by lack of kudos or a mountain of criticism, his drive is to have the team prepared to win every game.
Kearney admits to making mistakes in his first season in charge, but adding to a coaching staff that now includes Stacey Jones, Tony Iro and fitness guru Alex Corvo, he has been able to release the reins somewhat.
"Last year, I probably tried fix everything myself," Kearney says.
"This year, I have some really good people here that are very good at their jobs. I have given them all ownership in their particular areas.
"There is more collaboration in terms of us communicating as a football department. That has been the major shift."
Kearney is frustrated his men couldn't extend their winning streak to six against the Brisbane Broncos last Saturday night.
The Warriors were sloppy on defence throughout the 80 minutes and struggled at times with their attack for the first time in 2018.
Kearney said you can't afford to drop standards in the NRL.
"It's been a big month for the group," Kearney says.
"We weren't off by too much, but in this competition, if the opposition turn up with a real determination and attitude, it makes for a real tough day at the office, which it was.
"They had a little bit too much energy for us.
"We are disappointed, as we set ourselves a really high standard.
"But that is part of wanting to be successful and aiming to win - setting a high standard. If you don't reach it, then it is natural to be disappointed."
Halfback Johnson reiterates his coach's comments, promising a better all-round performance against 2018 form-setters St George Dragons.
The Sydney club have been perfect so far this season and walloped the Cronulla Sharks 40-20 last week.
Johnson says it's back to business for the Warriors.
"We don't like to get too far ahead of ourselves when we win," Johnson says. "We come in here with the attitude of getting better and that's the same when we lose.
"We can complicate this game sometimes, but in reality, the Broncos ran harder than us on the weekend and they tackled harder than us - that's where the loss started.
"We will worry about ourselves and show up Friday night with a really good attitude."
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