Game a sellout
Best moment: Johnson field goals against the Raiders
Back in round three the Warriors showed what sort of ticker they had when Shaun Johnson nailed a field goal in the 78th minute to level the game against the Raiders at 19-19, then a minute later did it again for a dramatic win.
Worst moment: Simon Mannering announcing his retirement
The guy has been through so much at the Warriors over his 299 games for the club and it will be a shame for everyone involved that he won’t be there from next year. He spent months deliberating over his decision and credit to the Warriors that they gave him all the time he wanted.
Best game: Round 21, Warriors 18 Dragons 12
This won’t go down as a game where there were a number of thrilling tries or highlight reel moments, but it was the one where they showed they have some backbone.
They got all 18 of their points in the first half and when they conceded two tries early in the second and it looked inevitable they’d get rolled. But the goal-line defence stood up again and again to all but confirm their top eight status.
Worst game: Round 8, Storm 50 Warriors 10
This was abysmal. They were taken apart in Melbourne, conceding six tries in the first half hour. Stephen Kearney said afterwards it wasn’t up to the standards they’ve set and he was dead right.
That blowout may still come back to haunt the Warriors as it ruined their points differential.
How far will the Warriors go?
Grand final.
However, they probably first have to avoid finishing the regular season in eighth place on the ladder – that way they avoid being on the Storm’s half of the playoff draw. No one other than the Storm is showing great form and they might be the only team that can stop the Warriors. The Warriors’ game against the Raiders tomorrow night is officially a sell out.
The club confirmed that the game, which will be their final regular season fixture and possibly the last on New Zealand soil that Simon Mannering will play, is packed out, with all 25,600 seats gone.
To honour Mannering, the Warriors came up with an initiative where people could pay what they wanted for tickets for the game, ranging from $5 to $50.
This has helped the Warriors sell out Mt Smart Stadium for the second time this season and this is the first time this has been achieved since the inaugural season in 1995.
‘‘It’s been a great effort,’’ Warriors CEO Cameron George said. ‘‘Sales went crazy when the offer kicked off.’’