Warriors determined to do it for ‘Dewy’
They might have already locked up a finals berth for the first time in seven seasons with a game in hand, but don’t think the Warriors will lack motivation this week.
On Friday night at Mt Smart Stadium, Simon Mannering will become the first one-club Warrior to notch 300 NRL games when he runs out to face Canberra, a feat the side is not about to downplay – despite Mannering’s best efforts.
Halfback Shaun Johnson and Mannering are the only members of the current Warriors team to play finals football in 2011 and Johnson said they were determined to put in their best performance of the year to honour the former captain.
‘‘I don’t think you can say enough about what this game means to the club and to Simon, it’s never been done before,’’ he said.
‘‘The way he has done it has been very special. We’ll have a lunch today [yesterday] for him and I’m sure there will be a bit on game day but, anyone that knows Simon will know that he doesn’t want any fuss. We will celebrate it today but the best thing we could do for him will be perform well on Friday night.’’
And that’s all the man himself wants as well.
While the club is planning on sending off its most decorated player with a bang, the ever humble Mannering just wants the side to have a good showing. But he conceded he recognised the significance of his pending achievement.
‘‘I’m surprised I lasted this long to be honest, just thankful. It will be a pinch yourself moment to run out and a very proud moment for me and my family,’’ Mannering said.
‘‘Those sort of things you never set out to achieve. But I think these milestones are good moments to thank the people that helped get you here and there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to help get us on the park.
‘‘I just hope we can go out there and put in another good performance like last week. I’m proud I’ve been able to hang around this long and represent this club.’’
Coach Stephen Kearney said he believed there were a number of external factors that made Mannering not only the greatest ever Warrior, but also one of rugby league’s best.
‘‘I don’t think it can be under-sold the fact that he’s about to play 300 NRL games this week and every other week he’s got to travel to Australia,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘I think the only other example I can think of is in the AFL, over in Western Sydney, I think Matthew Pavlich has played 300 games for Fremantle. My point is it’s a pretty significant achievement when you factor in travel and all the tackles he has to make, the minutes he plays, I just think he’s a wonderful player and an even better man.
‘‘He epitomises what we are trying to build here as a club on the whole.’’
Kearney said the players took time yesterday to celebrate the one they call ‘Dewy’, before getting back to business today.
The injured pair of Blake Green and Gerard Beale did not train with the group yesterday, but were ‘‘tracking well’’ and expected to join training today, Kearney said.