Ultimate Warrior Mannering deserves fitting sendoff
It’s not as if the Warriors needed any more motivation to make a deep run into the finals, but Simon Mannering has provided just that. If anyone deserves a fairytale farewell, it’s the Warriors’ greatest servant.
When Mannering plays his last game at the end of the season, he will do so as the club’s best ever player alongside champion halfback Stacey Jones.
Who you side with in that debate probably depends on how you like your footy. But what cannot be questioned is that through his 14 seasons, no one has given more to the club than the 31-year-old from Nelson.
The stats paint an amazing picture. In a club record 293 appearances (and counting), Mannering has made more than 9300 tackles at an average of 32 per game, while carrying the ball more than 27,000m (an average of 95m per game).
The club’s Mr Reliable, he never shirked the tough stuff and never gave up on a play even when everything else appeared to be collapsing around him.
Mannering’s announcement came a day after Kiwis legend Mark Graham was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame. It would be a travesty if Mannering doesn’t join him in the years to come.
The stats, of course, only tell part of the story. They don’t take into account the tremendous leadership he has provided for club and country and the selfless approach he has carried throughout his career.
Without wanting to get too far ahead of ourselves, things appear to be heading in the right direction at Mt Smart.
Cameron George and Stephen Kearney have assembled an impressive backroom staff which the team has responded to. They have made significant improvements across the board this season, which one would expect them to build on next year.
After carrying the team on his back throughout the playoff drought of the last six years, you could forgive Mannering if he wanted to hang around for another season to reap the possible rewards.
But that is not his style. The thought of not being able to commit wholeheartedly to another pre-season just didn’t sit well with a player who has built a reputation of being the ultimate professional.
The team always comes first. Asked how hungry he is for success now he can see the finish line, Mannering, wary of putting too much pressure on his team-mates, said he simply wanted to enjoy himself.
But you can bet he will be doing all he can to capture that elusive premiership.