Ahead of Simon Mannering becoming the most-capped Warrior of all time, coach Stephen Kearney said the best way for the club to pay tribute to the workaholic forward would be for the rest of the team to replicate his commitment on the field this Sunday.
Mannering will surpass former halfback Stacey Jones at the top of the appearance list for the Kiwi franchise when he runs out onto UOW Jubilee Oval for his 262nd NRL Telstra Premiership match in Round 4 against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
While at Mannering's insistence there won't be any extravagant fanfare around the milestone, Kearney said the ultimate gift to the 30-year-old could be delivered on the field.
"For us it's about a Simon performance," said Kearney, who is now in his 10th season coaching Mannering at international or club level.
"The best way to pay respect to Simon and what he has contributed to this football club, it's about going out there and performing how Simon performs every week, for his 260-plus games.
"There's no complaints, there's no issues with him, there's no drams, he just gets the job done every week.
"For me and the players, they want to respect Simon and what he has contributed to this football club with a Simon performance."
Mannering has started the 2017 campaign in near career-best form, averaging 15 carries, 125 metres and 39 tackles across the first three matches of the year.
While he is becoming accustomed to these types of milestones in his illustrious career, the 30-year-old admitted this one meant more to him given the player he will overtake on the list.
"To be honest I wasn't really too fazed with it, but then I sort of thought about it and with Stacey there and growing up as a kid watching him play and looking up to him so much," Mannering said.
"Having the chance to play alongside him, be coached by him and now be almost recognised alongside him in that sort of way, it is special, that is sort of what really hits home, that Stacey was there and [now I'm] getting my name recognised next to his name.
"I know he is really proud of the record, so you almost don’t want to take it off him.
"He is such a legend of the club and he still will be no matter who has played the most games for the club, he will still be the greatest Warrior."
