Mannering closing in on unwanted record

Several long-serving New Zealand Warriors players are set to take ownership of an unwanted NRL record.

Long-term Warriors Simon Mannering, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman and Ben Matulino haven’t tasted finals footy since 2011, a streak that is set to continue, bar a 100-1 mathematical miracle.

As a result, they will soon hit the front as the active players with the most games played since their last playoff appearance.

The Warriors’ six-year drought is tied with the Wests Tigers for the second-longest absence, behind only the Parramatta Eels, who haven’t made the top eight since 2009.

However, that will soon change. With just five games to go in the 2017 season, the Eels currently sit sixth on the NRL ladder with 28 points and are near-certainties to make the playoffs.

A playoff appearance will be sweet relief for Eels stalwart Tim Mannah, term Warriors at the top of the heap.

The unluckiest Warrior is the everpresent Mannering, who has been a consistent performer in a slew of under-performing Warriors squads.

Mannering has played 129 games since his last playoff game, and is followed by fellow regulars Shaun Johnson (126 games), Jacob Lillyman (123 games) and Ben Matulino (122 games). Bodene Thompson (123 games) also hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2010, having failed to make the eight with the Warriors (2015-2017), Tigers (2013-2014) and the Titans (2011-2012).

Other long streaks which are set to continue until 2018 include Tigers forwards Elijah Taylor (118 games) and Aaron Woods (117 games), while Nate Myles ( 120 games) and Brad Takairangi (118) are both in line to break their lengthy droughts with the Melbourne Storm and Eels respectively.

As a result, it looks set that the Warriors’ players will hold the longest playoff droughts in the NRL. Simon Mannering will have difficulty in fending off unwanted record. two most experienced second rowers, with Thompson (143 games) joining 301-game veteran Ryan Hoffman (foot) on the injured list.

Also sidelined are halfback Shaun Johnson (knee) and props Albert Vete and James Gavet, who both have broken arms. Johnson and Vete could be back for the final round, while Gavet is out for the season. Hoffman’s return date has yet to be be determined.

It leaves the Warriors with a lack of firepower up front.