OPINION: Simon Mannering would have been dreading today.
Not so much because he's calling time on his illustrious career, but for all the plaudits that will come with it.
Wednesday's confirmation that Mannering is bowing out of the NRL at the end of the season leads to the inevitable discussion of is he the greatest Warrior of all time - the ultimate Warrior if you will?
Mannering hates this stuff - people talking about him, comparing him to icons like Stacey Jones and Ruben Wiki.
It's hard to make Simon upset, but talking ill of his teammates or suggesting he's one of the game's greats are two of the best ways to produce a scowl from the affable warhorse.
His CV is enough to earn the accolade. They'll have no choice but to name the player-of-the-year award after Mannering, given how many times he's won the thing.
He's already the most-capped Warrior and will hopefully get to 300 games for the club. The man affectionately known as 'Junior' or 'Juey' to his mates captained the side in their 2011 Grand Final run.
He's tackled himself to a standstill, put his body through the wringer and fought through the pain barrier to inspire the team.
Yes, he's missing a premiership from that list of achievements. Even if that doesn't happen this season, it's a career most would die for.
While the likes of Jones and Manu Vatuvei won the Warriors plenty of games, Mannering has saved the Warriors on countless other occasions. Teammates and opponents alike have nothing but respect for him, always a great indicator.
The only thing he ever did that was remotely selfish was giving up the captaincy and even that had the greater good in mind.
It's fitting he's made the call (though I reckon he'd hate having stolen some of the limelight) on the same day another back-rower Mark Graham was named the first New Zealander inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame. That's because he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with the man named the best Kiwis player of the 20th century.
Could you argue against him as the Kiwis player of the 21st century so far? He's there for all of New Zealand rugby league's greatest achievements. The 2008 World Cup, the 2010 Tri Nations (both forced out of position at centre to help the team out) and captained the Kiwis to an undefeated 2014 Four Nations campaign.
45-tests of blood, sweat and tears in the black jersey and Mannering's barely put a foot wrong in the process.
He could have taken up a final hurrah in the UK for big money, gone through the motions, even though his heart wasn't in it, but that is not his way.
For the record, yes, Mannering is the greatest Warriors player of all time. He doesn't have the skill, pace or highlight reel of many of his rivals, but no-one has given more of themselves to the club than Mannering.
Sorry Simon, but you're going to have to get used to the adulation. Like it or not, you've earned it.
Sam Ackerman is Newshub head of sport.
