NZ Warriors have been welcomed back to the NRL playoffs series for the first time since 2018, taking their place in the traditional top-eight photocall at Sydney.
They'll make their long-awaited return to the post-season in western Sydney on Saturday against minor premiers Penrith Panthers.
A Warriors win would see them advance directly to the preliminary final, affording them a bye in week two of the knockouts.
A loss would send them back to Auckland to host a sudden-death semi-final, likely against the winners of this weekend's elimination final between Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights.
Injured half Luke Metcalf was on hand to represent the Warriors at the finals launch, as were plenty of the Auckland-based side's faithful, clad in team colours.
Up against the back-to-back defending champions Panthers on their home turf, the Warriors face a tall order this weekend.
Key to their cause will be Penrith captain Nathan Cleary, who - in another universe - may well have worn a Warriors jersey himself.
Cleary grew up at Mt Smart Stadium, tagging along with dad Ivan Cleary, who was Warriors head coach for six seasons from 2006-11.
Eventually, Cleary Sr took up a head coaching role with Penrith, and his son relocated back across the ditch and began his rise through the Panthers development ranks.
In fact, Nathan Cleary admits he was a huge Warriors supporter, before returning to his Sydney birthplace in his early teens.
"I'm not shy to say that I was a massive Warriors fan growing up, and I definitely feel a connection to them and have a soft spot," he said.
Not enough of a soft spot to relent to a gang of Warriors fans, urging him to yell the team's ubiquitous catchphrase of 'up the Wahs', waving them off with a smile.
Among the luminaries recently captured spouting the phrase are Golden State Warriors and USA basketball coach Steve Kerr, and Kangaroos great Willie Mason, while a young Warriors fan's surprise interjection on live TV has also helped the catchcry go viral.
Understandably, Cleary isn't as willing.
"It's different this weekend," he added. "I've made a home in Penrith and I'm hoping they won’t play too well this weekend.."
The understrength Warriors' defeat to the Dolphins last Saturday saw them drop to fourth place on the ladder, which was still their highest finish since 2002.
Playing immediately afterwards, the Panthers made light work of North Queensland Cowboys in their final game of the regular season to leapfrog Brisbane Broncos into first place and clinch their third minor premiership in four years.
Join Newshub at 6pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Panthers NRL playoff clash
