As the Warriors near the end of a forgettable season they get the chance to savour a special moment with their loyal fans on Friday as Shaun Johnson plays his final game at Go Media Stadium, which has been renamed in his honour for the occasion.
The atmosphere is sure to be electric as Johnson runs out for his 223rd appearance in Warriors colours, determined to finish his NRL career on a high despite the fact the club's finals dream evaporated weeks ago.
After sitting just one point outside the top eight at the halfway mark of the season, the Warriors have lost seven of their past nine games to slide out of contention.
Injuries to key players certainly haven't helped but it's a huge fall from grace for a side that made it all the way to the preliminary final last season.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are on the opposite trajectory with six wins in their past seven games putting them within reach of a top-four finish and a double chance in the finals.
After seven seasons in the finals wilderness the Bulldogs are September-bound and looking to build momentum in their last three games against the Warriors, Sea Eagles and Cowboys.
Match: Warriors v Bulldogs
Round 25 -
home Team
Warriors
14th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
5th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won six of their past seven games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have not won at Go Media Stadium since 2012.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak requires two tries to reach a century of NRL tries.
- Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Warriors centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has scored seven tries in his last nine games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.