Burke sees big improvement

The Warriors head into Friday’s Grand Final rematch with Leeds in confident mood after four straight Super League wins in succession.

Matty Smith’s dramatic second drop-goal sealed a 26-25 win at Hull FC last Friday night.

They also left it late to claim victories against Huddersfield and Salford.

And Burke - who spent last season on loan at Hull KR - reckons they have overcome the “mental block” which hindered them in the past.

He said: “We’re winning games that, in the past, I think we’d have lost - especially with the players who are missing.

“I remember when I was here last in 2014, it felt like whenever Sean O’Loughlin didn’t play we didn’t seem to win!

“We have got over that mental block now.

“That’s a good sign, we’ve got team stability and we’re finding ways to win.”

The absence of O’Loughlin last Friday, owing to an infected cut, thrust Burke into the starting line-up.

“When I was driving into Orrell (for the coach) I saw Lockers going back, so that’s when I knew he wouldn’t be playing,” said the 23-year-old.

“I had an inkling I might be playing a bigger role and on the way over I thought, ‘I better get my head right, just in case’.

“I was happy to get a start, especially in a game like that because they have some big middles and they were a good test for us.

“In terms of the arm-wrestle in the middle, I thought we handled it well but it was a really good battle.”