KEY POINTS:
A link with the original Warriors will be broken this weekend after Logan Swann plays his last home match for the National Rugby League club.
Swann is the only member of the present squad who was part of the then Auckland Warriors' intake in their debut season in
1995.
He played initially for the colts side, and achieved the feat of gaining his first New Zealand test cap a year before he made his first-grade debut in 1997.
"It's great to know that I've been here since day one," he said, as he stood in the Warriors' gym and surveyed the photos on the wall of the players of year from past seasons.
"I've been involved in most of those years and it feels pretty special."
When Penrith are the visitors on Sunday, Swann, along with fellow club favourites and ex-Kiwis Ruben Wiki and Wairangi Koopu, will be saying farewell to the Mt Smart Stadium faithful.
The Warriors' final round fixture is away to Parramatta and, if they make the playoffs, they will have to travel across the Tasman.
Swann, who is completing a second spell with the club, was sure an emotional afternoon was in prospect.
"I've had time to think about my career and my seasons here, and all those times when I've taken it for granted and sort of not really realising that it may come to an end one day," he said.
"Lo and behold, it's coming to an end on Sunday and it's going to be a very emotional occasion - and deja vu, second time around for me."
The match against the Panthers will be Swann's 191st in the NRL. He made 146 appearances before spending three years in the English Super League with Bradford and Warrington.
The second rower returned to the Warriors at the start of last season and was happy with how things had gone.
"I came back to replace the experience that was lost when Awen Guttenbeil and Sione Faumuina left," he said.
"I've played how I wanted, so it' s been a successful second stint in my eyes."
Swann and Koopu are the only players who have been part of all four of the Warriors' post-season campaigns, including grand final year in 2002.
"Achieving the top eight and making the playoffs at the end of the year are always fond memories," he said.
"To be involved in it for a number of seasons has been fantastic because making the final series is always a huge thing."
Swann said he was looking at continuing playing next year and was in negotiations for a return to Super League, but retirement was also an option if he couldn't get a suitable deal.
"I'm looking to play one more season in the UK - I wouldn't be able to play in the NRL for another team," he said.
"If it doesn't work out in the right way for me, I may look at hanging up the boots at the end of the year, but I'll know more over the next few weeks."
- NZPA
