KEY POINTS:
There's a story Steve Price often tells to lighten proceedings when he's guest speaker at corporate functions.
It's about an exchange with a fan soon after he arrived in New Zealand in 2005. One day, when taking a break in training in west Auckland, a youngster yelled out to him: "Hey, Price, is that you? Are you Steve Price, the Bulldogs captain, the one who's just signed for the Warriors?'
After Price replied in the affirmative, the kid said: "I wish they'd signed Sonny Bill Williams instead."
Two years later, that youngster might have a different opinion because in that time, Price has become arguably the best signing in the club's 13-year history.
Williams might have brought excitement to the Warriors but Price's package includes so much more.
As well as being one of the NRL's best forwards, he's also club ambassador and face of the Warriors, a recruitment officer (he had a hand in luring Brent Tate to the club) and a role model for team-mates and aspiring professionals.
Halfway through a masters in business management, he's well aware of brand and, more particularly, his own brand and he even used himself as a case study for one of his assignments.
His role at the club is something he takes very seriously.
"What I wanted to get out of my time with the Warriors was knowing that when I finished, I had made an impact or been a big part of making sure the club was going in the right direction," he says, as a truckie pats him on the shoulder in recognition before ducking into a Panmure cafe.
"I wanted to help build the foundations so the club was in a really good state.
"Whether I actually get to be part of that success [and win a premiership], I would love it but if it doesn't happen, I will be just as satisfied knowing it's only going to be a year or two away. We are getting closer to cracking the code."
The Warriors are now enjoying the rewards on and off the field of a player the Bulldogs helped create.
Last season's Warriors Player of the Year is a great believer in things happening for a reason and, despite the difficulties at the time, acknowledges that the salary cap and sex scandals that besieged the Bulldogs in 2003 and 2004 when he was captain have made him a better person and player.
"It's during the tough times that you learn so much about yourself," he says.
"All those things were actually good for my career because during that period, I played the best I have played. I toughened up as an individual and understood what it took for me to play good footy."
Former Bulldogs five-eighth and club stalwart Terry Lamb also taught him the importance of consistency - that the difference between his best and worst game had to be kept to a minimum - and that's something he's now trying to instil in his Warriors team-mates.
"I learned at the Bulldogs that when your captain and senior players aren't playing well, it gives others an excuse not to play well."
Price is certainly not giving any of his team-mates excuses at the moment, despite the fact that the Warriors go into today's match against his old club on the back of a four-game losing streak.
He ranks third in the NRL for average metres (although leader Denan Kemp of the Broncos has played only one game) and is easily the game's best forward with 174.8m a game.
This is more than 30m ahead of nearest team-mate Wade McKinnon and almost 70m ahead of next best Warriors forward Ruben Wiki.
Against North Queensland, Price amassed a staggering 272m and backed that up the following week with 226m against the Bunnies. He's also fifth in total hit-ups.
Price was unlucky not to be named man of the match in Queensland's 25-18 win over New South Wales last week, after scoring one try, having another disallowed, pulling off a great charge down and regather, and getting through a power of work.
Former Kiwis and Queensland coach Graham Lowe described Price's performance as the best of any forward in 27 years of State of Origin and Price has since professed his desire to reclaim a Kangaroos jersey.
Most detractors point to his advancing years as a reason not to select him. Talk of his age frustrates but also motivates Price.
At 33, he's aware his career is in its twilight but he's not quite ready to let the sun set just yet and is entertaining the idea of extending his Warriors contract to the end of 2009.
"If I wasn't playing well, people say it's because I'm too old and when I'm doing things well, they say it's amazing considering my age," he says.
"It's about being fresh and using your experience wisely. People retire not because they're not good enough or quick enough but because they can't get up for training every day or the hard games each week. I still really enjoy the training, the contest."
He takes pride in the fact he has lasted for more than 13 years in a tough competition and points out that the average NRL career is 44 games - today will be his 267th.
That's the thing with Price, he knows the business. One day it might become his business.
He's been studying for years - again, he learnt at the Bulldogs that a player's reputation doesn't earn a job - and is interested in one day becoming NRL chief executive.
He even sees himself living in New Zealand well past the end of his league career. His 11-year-old daughter is already dreaming of playing for the Silver Ferns and his wife has been on the cusp of playing Kiwitag football for New Zealand.
"If things are going well and we are enjoying it, why wouldn't we stay? The way I feel right now, I think we will be here for a few years, five or 10," he says.
"Some of my opportunities are better here than in Australia because I am unique.
"I'm an Australian who's captain of a New Zealand team, living in New Zealand. I'm a bit different to everyone else."
That youngster from 2005 might now understand and appreciate that.
Price may play 2009 season
Steve Price has not ruled out playing another season for the Warriors after his contract expires at the end of 2008.
There was a general perception when he signed a one-year extension in March that the 33-year-old would call time on his illustrious career at the end of next season.
He even flagged this probability when he said in March: "I don't know what Rubes [Ruben Wiki] is planning but I guess it would be a great way for us both to finish our playing careers together at the end of the 2008 season."
But the Warriors skipper is entertaining ideas of extending his career into 2009.
"I signed to the end of next year feeling confident I could be at my best until then," Price said. "What happens in the next 18 months, I don't know.
"But if I am still enjoying myself as much as I am at the moment, I will be asking if I can go for another year. I don't want to put myself in that situation now because it's a long way off but I should know by the middle of next year if I've got another good year of footy in me."
Many commentators have suggested Price is in career-best form and NRL stats show he's the leading forward and third overall for average metres gained with 174.8m. He was also widely lauded for his performance for Queensland in the State of Origin opener.
