Bumper crowd expected as fans flock back

"I thought he was awesome (last week), probably one of the best on the field."

Simon Mannering talking about Isaiah Papali’i, left.

The Warriors are expecting their biggest home crowd in two years as ticket sales surge off the back of last week’s season-opening win over South Sydney.

The number of tickets sold for tomorrow’s clash against the Titans at Mt Smart has already eclipsed the attendance from any of last year’s home games.

Around 18,000 fans are expected to turn up this weekend, which would make it the largest home crowd since the round 23 match against the Rabbitohs (17,409) in 2016.

Interest in the Warriors hit a low point after last year’s ninematch losing streak and it is amazing how one positive result has re-caputured the public’s attention.

But veteran forward Simon Mannering, who will also be watching from the stands due to a shoulder injury, says their supporters need to be rewarded with another strong display.

‘‘The challenge for us now is backing up performances, which we haven’t been very good at,’’ Mannering said.

‘‘We have to show in our first game here at Mt Smart what it means to us. We know we’re going to get good support so we have to repay that with a good performance.’’

Another factor driving ticket sales has been the Warriors’ fundraising efforts for the victims of Cyclone Gita in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

All pre-sold adult tickets have been reduced to $15 each, with $5

The Auckland club is hoping to raise $25,000. As of Thursday it had reached about $15,000.

‘‘A lot of the upper covered bays have sold out. It’s the first time in over two years at the club I’ve had to tell the printer that we may need a few sold out stickers,’’ fan engagement manager Aaron Lawton said.

‘‘If people want the good seats they need to get in quickly because they’re going out the door, which is really exciting.’’

Meanwhile, Mannering is hoping to return to the field in the next couple of weeks but the Warriors veteran says his replacement is doing a pretty good job of keeping his jersey warm.

With a shoulder injury ruling Mannering out of the opening rounds of the season, 19-year-old back-rower Isaiah Papali’i produced a standout performance in his absence during last week’s

32-30 victory over the Rabbitohs. Making the first start of his blossoming career in Perth, Papali’i impressed with a composed, 80-minute display, scoring a try and running for just under

100m while proving a handful for defenders on the left edge.

Papali’i made five NRL appearances last year but after watching his development throughout the pre-season, Mannering believes he could become a regular feature of the side in 2018.

‘‘He’s still very young but I think he’s more than capable of it,’’ Mannering said.

‘‘He’s always willing to learn and not afraid of some hard work which is good and it shows by the way he performs.

‘‘I thought he was awesome (last week), probably one of the best on the field.

‘‘He only played a handful of games last year but you see the way he plays you forget he’s only 19.’’

Papali’i has again been named to start for tomorrow’s first home game against Gold Coastas Mannering returns to full fitness.