“You know I’m not allowed to talk about referee decisions,” he told media. “Everyone’s seen what happened there and it’s one we just have to avoid.
“Things like that certainly make it challenging, but we probably ran out of time in the end. We had plenty of effort and were certainly coming home, we just didn’t have enough time to do it.”
Unsurprisingly, Gough is nowhere to be seen among officiating assignments for this week’s reduced five-game schedule, with seven teams drawing byes and State of Origin I looming next Wednesday.
While the Warriors are sitting pretty at 8-2 and second on the competition table, the nature of their wins has kept them grounded and their supporters on tenterhooks this season.
Despite their lopsided record, their points differential is just plus-five. During their five-game streak, they have been outscored 60-33 in the second halves of those encounters, as they seemingly find new and excruciating ways to somehow salvage victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Warriors needed an extra-time penalty against Brisbane Broncos, a desperate defensive stand against North Queensland Cowboys, a late field goal against St George Illawarra Dragons and a dubious call against the Dolphins. Two months ago, only a late penalty was the difference between them and Wests Tigers.
Webster knows they must do better to be true contenders, as the season approaches halfway.
“I think, if we were winning by 50, we’d still feel the same way,” he said. “We still like a lot to do with our wins.
“Who’s to say these teams aren’t bring their best football against us? It doesn’t matter if they’re running last or first in the competition.
“We’re so grounded this season, because we know we’ve got way more in us.”
