Green: I wasn't sure how Warriors would go

In an off-season where several high-profile playmakers changed clubs, Blake Green's switch from Manly to the Warriors did not receive the attention devoted to the likes of Cooper Cronk, Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney, Kieran Foran, Matt Moylan and Ben Hunt.

But long-suffering Warriors fans have been given plenty to cheer about with Green's sudden impact at the club.

The journeyman five-eighth, who joined the Warriors on a three-year deal after gaining an early release from the Sea Eagles, is being touted as a club saviour and now a possible NSW Origin selection.

Green has played a big hand in steering the Auckland-based franchise to opening their 2018 Telstra Premiership season undefeated heading into Saturday’s clash with Brisbane at Mt Smart Stadium.

For Green, it’s a flattering when the topic is brought up.

"Obviously, it's great to have my name suggested for Origin, it's normally only the young kids that get tossed up for it. In saying that, not everything has gone to plan in my career, I've sort of done it backwards having had to go overseas and play," Green told NRL.com.

"As a kid, playing Origin was something I always wanted to do but for now I just need to keep playing well for the Warriors, there's a lot of talented halves that are more than capable of doing the job." 

If both the Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons win this weekend, it would set up an epic round-seven showdown between the NRL's two unbeaten sides.

Green could have only fantasised about his stellar season so far, right?

"Obviously, this is a dream start for us. I wasn't sure how we were going to go, to be honest," Green said.

"Everyone talked about how hard we trained in the preseason, but everyone trains hard. It's only when you start playing footy you can really gauge where you're at."

Sitting second on the ladder means it has gone well not just for Green, but the entire squad. The Warriors lead the League in post-contact metres with 2,510 and with their 85 off-loads.

"We came up with a style of footy that would suit us. It's different to what we've done in the past, there were a few things we had to find out about ourselves," Green said.

"The start we've had has given us belief and trust in each other which is really important."

At 31, Green sits alongside 32-year-old Adam Blair as one of the more experienced heads at the Warriors.

Having started his NRL career in Parramatta in 2007, then doing the rounds via Canterbury, Cronulla,  Super League, Melbourne, and Manly, he has the wisdom to know what positive development within a side looks like.

"I think mentally the boys are tougher, they're more resilient. They're more resilient now than when I first joined the club," he said.

A lot of discussion has also surrounded the Warriors' new post-points action. You’ll often find the team huddled together after a try, or when Shaun Johnson is lining up to slot over a penalty.

This is a dream start for us. I wasn't sure how we were going to go, to be honest.

Blake Green

"It's just a reset for us. It's something we tinkered with. It's been documented how we met with Kieran Read (current All Blacks captain.) We had a few open conversations with him about what we were missing and what we needed as a group, and concentration was one of them. 

"He suggested we do it (the breathing technique) occasionally, but now it's something we're doing all the time," he laughs.

"It just takes the anxiety and the adrenalin rush out of everything and gives us a moment to chat about what's important and what our next focus is."