KEY POINTS:
The Warriors will field an unchanged line-up in the elimination match against the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart on Friday night, brimming with confidence they can carry on where they left off in Melbourne.
The 17 came through bruised but uninjured after the physical victory over the title-holding Storm on Sunday and there are no judiciary issues hanging over them.
The only one of the squad hobbling badly is Doc John Mayhew, who pulled his calf muscle as he leaped from the sideline bench to celebrate Michael Witt's winning try in the dying moments of the game.
They have gone from long odds on Sunday to favourites for Friday, with Aussie bookmakers yesterday pushing out their price for a Storm repeat and bringing the Warriors in from A$67 to A$40 to win the title.
A full house of 28,000 is expected to welcome the Sydneysiders, who appear to be losing their momentum as the Warriors gather theirs.
Their campaign is almost a mirror image of last season's finals run for the Warriors when they finished fourth and were beaten by the Eels then annihilated and eliminated by the Cowboys in week two when they had to travel to Townsville.
The historic upset in Melbourne, the first time eighth place has dumped first in week one of the playoff series, gave the third-finishing Sharks an unexpected week off with a path straight to the preliminary finals and dumped the sixth-placed Raiders from the finals race.
The Roosters fly in tonight, desperately trying to believe that their game plan remains solid and unaltered despite the weekend's upset.
But they have lost hooker Riley Brown, who yesterday had plates and pins inserted in a broken arm suffered on Friday night, with test star Willie Mason also ruled out with a knee tear.
"It's a bit of a surprise but it doesn't really change much for us," five-eighth Braith Anasta said. "We've got to win three in a row to win the comp."
And so do the Aucklanders. A win on Friday will pit them against Manly at the Sydney Football Stadium next Saturday. The winner of this Saturday's match between the Broncos and Storm will play at the same venue on next Friday night. Beat Manly and the Warriors make the grand final at the Olympic Stadium on October 5.
Fullback Wade McKinnon would be available for the Manly game and the grand final after serving his three-week suspension.
The Warriors under-20s also came through their finals win over St George without injury and they have regular prop Leeson Ah Mau available after a month out.
Coach Tony Iro said he was reluctant to change a winning side, though, his props Upu Poching and Russell Packer doing the job on Sunday. They are itching for a rematch after going down to the Panthers three weeks ago.
The club holds its awards tomorrow night with Micheal Luck, Simon Mannering and Lance Hohaia sure to be high on the list of nominees.
But perhaps hooker-turned-halfback Nathan Fien will get the supreme award for consistency and the improvement he has brought to the attack in recent weeks. Ben Matulino is a sitter for Rookie of the Year.
The Warriors are the only club of the 16 with both its top side and under-20s in the playoff series.
Tickets for Friday's double-header are available through Ticketek, from $25-$60, with kickoff for the Juniors at 6.15pm and the main game at 8.30pm.
What happens next:
The Dragons and the Raiders are eliminated. The Sharks and the Sea Eagles go straight to week three.
Warriors v Roosters at Mt Smart on Friday, the winner to play Manly.
Broncos v Storm at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, the winner to play Sharks.
