Warriors fans are used to hearing the term “there’s a mathematical chance” in the final few weeks of the NRL season, as in more recent history the side have been fighting just to make the top eight and play finals football.
However, Andrew Webster’s side are in a much more comfortable position ahead of tonight’s penultimate game of the regular season against the St George Illawarra Dragons - sitting in third spot with a playoff game already confirmed.
But that doesn’t mean Warriors fans can’t still dream higher. Following the Panthers’ shock 32-18 defeat to the Eels last night, the door is slightly ajar for the Warriors to claim their second-ever minor premiership.
The only time the Warriors topped the NRL regular season was in 2002 when they reached their maiden grand final, before going down to the Roosters 30-8 in Sydney.
Daniel Anderson’s team never sat on top until the final day and needed a massive points deduction for the salary-breaching Bulldogs in round 24 and a final round defeat for the Knights to finish first and lift the J. J. Giltinan Shield.