While Jesse Arthars will be forever grateful to the Warriors for their role in helping him improve as a player, he won’t be granting them any favours when the Broncos host the hope of New Zealand in Saturday’s preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium.
Born in Auckland and “a Kiwi boy” at heart, Arthars returned to his roots last season as part of a loan deal with the Warriors, playing 12 games for the club before rejoining the Broncos for 2023.
“They've been going really well; I have been stoked for them,” Arthars said of the Warriors run this season.
“I was a part of the group when they weren't at home, and I've seen the back-end effect for the boys that have been away from their families for so long.
“This year has been a massive turnaround for them from last year, so it's good to see.
Finals Week 1: All aboard the Arthars defence train
"Obviously, I still talk to the boys, but I'm at the Broncs now.
"It's always pretty fun when you go up against a team you used to play for … it's going to be a tough game.
"All my brothers … we're all Kiwi boys, so they're in my hair saying ‘Up the Wahs’, so it's pretty crack-up at home … it's a bit of banter for the household.
"[But] we have just got to make sure we prepare well and be ready to go on Saturday."
Since his return to the Broncos, Arthars has performed well in every opportunity he has been given and his form has left coach Kevin Walters with little choice but to continue picking him, often at the expense of the more experienced Corey Oates.
The Māori All Stars representative said the opportunity the Warriors were able to provide him last year built confidence in his game, something he had been able to apply and improve on while back with the Broncos.
“I think obviously I've just played a few more games now, you just get that experience,” Arthars said.
“I went away to the Warriors and played a few games there, which helped me out in first grade and I came back here with a lot of confidence.
“I think that's been the biggest factor for me in being confident in my game; [that] and being happy on and off the field.
“I was pretty stoked to be back with the boys and , so she was all smiles.
“When I came back to the club, I just wanted to put my best foot forward in the pre-season and just try to stay fit.
“I always told Kev I would go wherever he needed me, I'll just make sure if I ever to get picked, I'll be ready for him and for the team and it's worked out all year.”
In Finals Week Two the Warriors put on a show against the Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium in a 40-10 win to set up their showdown against the in-form Broncos, who earned a week off after a ruthless Finals Week One win against Melbourne.
Part of the crop of current Broncos who experienced the lean years as younger players, including the wooden spoon in 2020 - a season in which he played six games - Arthars was determined to put those memories behind him.
Since his return to the club, Arthars said the biggest change he has seen within the playing group to explain their improvement was more composure and leadership, with his teammates also benefiting from more experience in the game.
“They got Reyno (Adam Reynolds) and Capes (Kurt Capewell), so they've got a bit of leadership there in those key positions,” Arthars said.
"And the boys have been together for quite a while now, there's been a core group who have been working away pretty hard.
“The boys this year, it just feels like they're playing for each other and it goes to show at training, everyone's ripping in and doing their job.
“I think the boys are just enjoying it, because a couple of years ago in 2020, it wasn't the best; we had COVID, no footy and we came last.
"There's a few boys here that are still holding on to that and that's just been a big driving factor and motivation for us heading into the season.”
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