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'Appreciate that your team has got there': Vossy's plea to Warriors fans
Sport Nation • September 1st, 2025 2:57 pm
Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Veteran rugby league broadcaster Andrew Voss has a message for all of the Warriors faithful sweating on their top-four fortunes in the upcoming final round of NRL regular season.
Stop and smell the roses.
Andrew Webster's side has a chance to secure a second life in the finals if they're able to get past the Manly Sea Eagles on Friday and other results fall in their favour.
But either way - be it home or away - their place in the playoffs is guaranteed, and after enduring such long stretches of absence from the post-season, Voss says Warriors fans, given all of the team's injury woes, need to savour the fact they won't need their calculators this weekend.
"I will just say this to Warriors fans - and this is an impassioned plea - enjoy the fact they've locked in the finals," Voss told Sport Nation Mornings on Monday.
"Think of all those lean years, and there's been plenty of them, when the Warriors were not part of finals footy. Ask Shaun Johnson about his career in finals football at the Warriors.
"Really appreciate that your team has got there."
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Since the Warriors' Grand Final appearance in 2011, the team have qualified only twice (2018 & 2023) for the post-season.
In 2025, despite being hamstrung by injuries to key personnel, with co-captain Mitch Barnett and Dally M contender Luke Metcalf's seasons ended prematurely, the Warriors have managed to cling to their spot in the top-eight.
Given the highly competitive nature of the NRL, it's all about finding your rhythm at the right end of the campaign, Voss notes, the kind of rhythm he only sees with the minor premiers.
"You just don't know with this competition. I don't see momentum outside of Canberra.
"You've got a couple of weeks to get it right. Hang in there with your side and support them large and loud."
If they finish fourth, the Warriors will play away against the Canberra Raiders in week one of the finals, but will host a match in either week two (if they lose) or week three (if they win).
If they finish fifth or sixth, the Warriors will host one of the Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters or Dolphins in week one, needing to win to stay alive.
Should the Warriors fall outside of the top four - which a Broncos defeat of the Storm on Thursday night would assure - Voss predicts a one-and-done finals series for the men from Mt Smart.
But finish fourth, and it's all to play for.
"With apologies to Warriors fans, I think Manly's a big chance of beating you Friday night," he explained.
"If the Warriors don't make the four, then - I'm sorry - I don't have them going past the first week.
"But if they make the four, well, they're guaranteed the second week, aren't they? They can get things right. So it's just a fascinating race."
Tuesday night's team announcements will be eagerly anticipated, with the possibility the Bulldogs and the Storm - their top-four spots locked in - will take the opportunity to rest their frontline players, which would give their respective opponents - the Sharks and the Broncos - an enormous leg up in their critical season finales.
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the NZ Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles this Friday from 7.30pm, kick-off at 8pm.
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