KEY POINTS:
There was a warm glow over Warriorland yesterday as tickets to the knockout playoff game against the Roosters sold out in 11 minutes and the team looked forward to the backing of a raucous crowd.
Many of the opposition's fans who planned to come will miss the game
because of a ticketing problem in Sydney.
Before training in front of empty stands that 26,000-odd will make ring with intimidation for the visitors on Friday night, several individuals spoke of the improvement they believed was left in the Warriors after the triumph in Melbourne.
"We have to improve our ball control and our defence and we know we can do that," said halfback Nathan Fien. "We don't have to change our game plan much, we got over the Storm line 10 or 12 times and to do that against the top team in the competition, that's given us some confidence."
Likewise Lance Hohaia: "We left Auckland [for Melbourne] confident we would give a good account of ourselves and the way we played, I still think we can get better. The defence is a focus for us and if we get that right a lot flows from it."
And skipper Steve Price: "I'll be disappointed if we don't play as well as we're capable of. We were very excited with the result [in Melbourne] but immediately after the game the talk was about preparing for this week."
"We need to make sure our preparation is spot on, every individual has to make sure they play their role, every individual has to make sure they contribute as much as they can."
Changing anything in routine would be the biggest mistake they could make, Price said. Second-biggest would be over-confidence born of a good record at Mt Smart - just three losses this season. "Playing at home is great but it isn't going to win the game for us."
Despite his experience in finals campaigns with the Bulldogs, he hasn't felt the need to say too much to motivate the rest. They're up for it.
The Warriors have the same 17 as for the wins over the Eels and Storm, and no injury worries. Coach Ivan Cleary said there would be no excuses.
They have the top referee, Tony Archer.
The Roosters flew in last night minus wing Amos Roberts who awaits the birth of his first child and is still expected to play. They have lost hooker Riley Brown, broken arm, replaced by James Aubusson.
The Roosters main attacking threat will come from be the field kicking of halves Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta.
* Secondrower Simon Mannering was last night named the Warriors Player of the Year at the club's end of season awards dinner. Manu Vatuvei, who scored one try and created another in the playoff win over the Storm, was named Clubman of the Year and was also voted as the fans' favourite. Ben Matulino was the club's Rookie of the Year.
Warriors
Lance Hohaia, Aiden Kirk, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, Michael Witt, Nathan Fien, Ruben Wiki, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (capt), Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Grant Rovelli, Evarn Tuimavave, Sam Rapira, Logan Swann
Roosters
Anthony Minichiello, Brent Grose, Setaimata Sa, Sia Soliola, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta (capt), Mitchell Pearce, Mark O'Meley, James Aubusson, Lopini Paea, Nate Myles, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon. Interchange: Mickey Paea, David Shillington, Anthony Cherrington, Mitchell Aubusson.
Referee: Tony Archer
