The Warriors are out to ensure their huge NRL rebound doesn’t result in the pendulum swinging towards complacency.

The mood within the Warriors camp lightened this week after they turned their fortunes around in remarkable fashion with a 28-12 upset over Newcastle, after being thumped 62-6 by Penrith.

“There’s definitely a lot more smiles around the joint,” second-rower Feleti Mateo said.

“Boys are coming in chest out, wanting to do more, knowing that the hard work they did last week really paid off.”

But such a big bounce-back also carried the danger of too much contentment.

“I think it can for a lot of teams,” Mateo said.

“It’s just about addressing that and for our senior players to stand up and show maturity on the field and in game management.”

Mateo was among those who stood up against the Knights.

In his first 80-minute appearance of the season, he racked up 228 metres with the ball, made six tackle breaks and produced five of his trademark offloads.

“I just felt I needed to get more involved,” he said.

Mateo, 29, signed a new contract with the Warriors a fortnight ago after mulling over other offers and having his future sorted out has taken a distracting weight off his shoulder.

“Now I can concentrate on working hard during the week and getting out there and playing my best footy, and last week was a good sign.”

Next up for the Warriors, who remain down in 14th spot, is ninth-place Brisbane on Monday night.

Now would seem a good time to strike the Broncos, who are without the Queensland State of Origin quartet of Justin Hodges, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker and Matt Gillett.

But Mateo is on guard ahead of the trip to Suncorp Stadium.

“In recent years, the baby Broncos have put in good performances,” he said.

“You’ve got young guys that are hungry coming through. I think it’s a dangerous time.”