After the best part of the last three years being based in Australia, the end is within sight for NZ Warriors, following their final away game of the 2022 NRL season.
Thanks to COVID-19, the Warriors have been based in Australia since 2020, and have been limited to just three home matches in the past three seasons.
But after Friday's 46-12 defeat to Penrith Panthers, the Warriors have played their final game based in Australia, finishing their 2022 season against Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium next weekend.
And with trans-Tasman travel in full force again, 2023 will mean the Warriors can bank on their home fortress, with two wins from three matches played there this year.
Speaking post-match, captain Tohu Harris outlined the club's excitement about ending the season at Mt Smart - with doors to be opened to allow fans in free of charge.
"Hopefully we can finish on a high note," Harris said. "We're really looking forward to playing that last game at home.
"We feel like we're a different team when we get to go home and be with our families.
"That's not going to decide the game for us. We've still [got] a tough challenge against the Titans, who've shown they can score points with the best of them in this competition.
"We've certainly got a challenge ahead of us, but it's an exciting one - being with our families and playing at Mt Smart."
Meanwhile, interim coach Stacey Jones hailed the efforts of the Warriors against the Panthers - the NRL reigning premiers.
After last week's loss to North Queensland Cowboys, Jones took aim at some of his players' attitudes, saying "we just didn't have enough players that wanted to play for the jersey."
But on Friday, the Warriors put in an improved display, and opened the scoring through Reece Walsh in matching the Panthers for most of the first half.
And with the Warriors' squad playing to impress incoming coach Adam Webster to prove their worth for 2023, Jones said some efforts from Friday have done no harm to individual causes.
"I thought the boys dug deep," said Jones. "It was just disappointing, before half time we let in a couple of quick tries.
"[It was] disappointing for the players [at] the end. We had a bit of ball, and could have scored a consolation try, but they go down and score.
"I thought there were some boys that put their hand up against a very good team."
Join Newshub for live updates of NZ Warriors v Gold Coast Titans from 5pm, September 3.
