Johnson revival continues as Warriors down Bulldogs

Shaun Johnson has put on a first-half clinic to catapult the Warriors back into the NRL's top eight with a 24-12 win over Canterbury at Accor Stadium.

Enjoying a late-career renaissance at age 32, Johnson starred again as he set up two tries with the boot in an 18-0 first half for the Warriors.

The win ended a three-match losing streak for the Warriors, and put them back into the top eight.

If they finish the round there, it will be the latest in a season they have been in a finals-paying position since they last finished in the top eight in 2018.

Johnson has been brilliant for the Warriors this year but he hasn't been alone.

Dylan Walker and Addin Fonua-Blake have also had their best seasons in years, with the pair combining for a try when Walker went short to the rampaging prop.

Fonua-Blake finished with 140 metres to go with his try on Friday night, while Tohu Harris was immense at lock with 162 metres.

Canterbury, in contrast, are a side desperately needing their injured brigade back before their first season under new coach Cameron Ciraldo fades away.

Josh Addo-Carr should return next Sunday against Canterbury after an aborted attempt to return on Friday, but the Bulldogs are missing his spark and that of second-rower Viliame Kikau.

Canterbury feigned a comeback when Harrison Edwards stepped his way through a gap from close distance to open their account.

But when Jake Averillo was denied by the bunker for a two-on-one strip in the lead-up with 14 minutes left, Canterbury's momentum was shot.

From the next set, the Warriors went down field and Ronald Volkman collected his own grubberkick to score and make it 24-6.

Jayden Okunbor forced his way over for a late consolation try for the Bulldogs, but by then the match was over.

And through it all, the man of the moment was still Johnson.

He had his fingerprints all over their first try, when he grubber-kicked to force a line dropout and the kicked again for a chasing Josh Curran in the next set.

He helped extend the Warriors lead later in the half when he kicked early for an unmarked Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, after an 80-metre intercept from Adam Pompey.

Johnson is off contract at the end of this year, with his revival one of the success stories of this year.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster indicated last week he was confident of retaining the halfback if he does play on.

But with more performances like Friday night's display, it's likely they will have to fend off growing interest from other clubs.