There was a definite pep in Warriors coach Andrew Webster's step as he addressed media from the bowels of Go Media Stadium Mt Smart on Saturday night, and it's patently clear why.
His side were just moments removed from recording their most important win in 12 years, demolishing Newcastle Knights by 30 points to put themselves one win away from a spot in the biggest dance of them all - the Grand Final.
But it was less the result itself than the manner in which it was achieved and the environment it was achieved in that Webster admits left him most gratified.
"Winning any finals game is special," said Webster.
"Winning in your backyard with fans like that, a crowd like that and an amazing atmosphere was huge.
"I think it's even better - the way we did it. We learned from last week, we played our style.
"We got the game that we wanted to get on and the boys got a huge amount of confidence off the back of it."
The performance was an enormous upgrade from what the Warriors produced in their finals opener against the Panthers, when a solid start gave way to errors and a lack of execution en route to a one-sided defeat.
But with the stakes at their highest – their season on the line – the Warriors stepped forth with some of their most clinical rugby league of the season, controlling the tempo, limiting mistakes and missed tackles and channeling their energy with more efficiency and purpose.
Crucially, according to Webster, the Warriors did what got them to the dance, carrying out their gameplan and staying true to their identity as a team.
"In big moments, in big games, you just want the boys to be themselves and just remember what got them there," he explained.
"We won 16 games this season, we deserved a top four finish, deserved a home semi-final.
"My biggest fear was that we weren't going to beat ourselves. We were going to try and make something up or think that we had to do something different tonight.
"I thought the calm in the group, particularly in the back end of the week was amazing. And on a big stage like that - being at home with a crowd like that who help you can sometimes add pressure, because you just feel like you to repay everyone.
"But I just thought the boys were so calm, so smart under pressure."
Of course, one significant addition to their cause that was missing last week was linchpin Shaun Johnson, how overcame the torn calf that ruled him out against the Panthers to be finally confirmed to play just an hour before kick off.
He made his mark almost immediately, helping construct all three of the Warriors tries in opening blitz that injected the 26,000-plus crowd with even more vigour and left the Knights dazed.
Webster insists Johnson was "super close" to not being available for the match, but gave his halfback all the credit for the way he managed himself to eventually be able to lace up the boots and add a massive shot of belief to the side.
"We literally didn't know until yesterday. So,what we said was truthful all week. We were confident that yesterday [captain's run] was going to go well, but we weren't sure.
"He made sure he got himself to the start line. He's done a terrific job.
"Not only did he get himself there, I thought he once again had a big impact and gave everyone confidence.
"Everyone fell in shape. I thought our attack early was a big result of what he was doing."
Alongside the shape Johnson provided offensively, his educated boot was arguably as valuable.
He consistently pinned the Knights deep in their own half to start sets and forced them to run back into the teeth of suffocating Warriors defence.
Webster jokes of some nervous moments watching Johnson bang a couple of vintage steps off his right foot "like he was 18 years old again" late in the contest, but insists there was no correlation between those and his departure from the field to rousing applause with seven minutes remaining.
"It felt good the way we were playing and just the control we were playing with," said captain Tohu Harris.
"We felt really comfortable being in an arm wrestle. What I felt we did over and over again, was just continuously taking the ball to a corner and defending and making them come out of their own half then running back like a madman.
"It's hard to do, it takes a lot of energy. But when you when you tick those boxes, it feels really good."
Harris singled out his fellow forwards for their more disciplined approach and controlled aggression and has every confidence his pack will have what it takes against their hefty Brisbane Broncos counterparts next weekend.
"I thought we got the balance right. We were not overly aggressive but we still had a bit of intent about us and we've got all the little details right.
"I'm really looking forward to it. This is why you play the game, to play in games of this magnitude and to play against this kind of quality opposition.
"It's going to be a huge challenge but I feel like we've got the got the pack to match theirs and and it's going to be a big night."
But as far as Webster is concerned, the Broncos are a discussion for another day. All he knows is his squad got the timely dose of self-belief to realise they have what it takes to go all the way - and that they truly belong among the NRL's best.
"Once you get over that battle yet you grow this this energy - you want to ride it. You realise we actually belong here, we actually know what it looks like - we belong and we're confident.
"It does massive things for their confidence."
