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.
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.
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