As the Warriors near the end of the 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
Team News
Warriors: Hooker Wayde Egan is back from an elbow injury so Freddy Lussick reverts to the bench and Chanel Harris-Tavita goes to 18th man for favourite son Shaun Johnson's final game in front of the Warriors faithful. No changes in Thursday's 24-hour update with Ed Kosi and Harris-Tavita retained in the squad.
Bulldogs: Prop Max King has been added to the starting side on Thursday to make his return from a wrist injury. Josh Curran drops out due to a shoulder injury suffered in Bundaberg last week. Eli Clark and Lipoi Hipoi were retained in the squad when it was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Warriors v Bulldogs
Round 25 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-SheckCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke MetcalfFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel Hughes
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
-
Prop for Warriors is number 16 Jazz TevagaProp for Bulldogs is number 23 Max King
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 11 Marata NiukoreInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Freddy LussickInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Kurtis Morrin
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Demitric SifakulaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Chanel Harris-TavitaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 15 Tom AleReplacement for Bulldogs is number 21 Eli Clark
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
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.
