With a third straight loss leaving their playoff dreams in tatters, NZ Warriors return home this week to prepare for Shaun Johnson’s final appearance at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart against Canterbury Bulldogs.

The Auckland side were still in the contest, level 10-10 at halftime against Manly Sea Eagles, but let another one slip away 24-10 in a campaign that promises so much and has delivered little on the field.

Five points outside the top eight, coach Andrew Webster had hoped to sweep their last three games (plus a bye) to put pressure on the teams around them and maybe sneak into the post-season through the back door — but even that won’t be enough now.

The focus will switch to giving their veteran halfback and the club’s all-time leading scorer a fitting farewell in front of his loyal fans.

“There’s an element of Shaun won’t want it to be about him and if we really want to do the best thing by Shaun this week, we have to make sure we prepare properly,” reflected Webster. “If we just make it all about that, the best way is to win.

“I think the fans will make it about Shaun, which would be the best thing. They’ll really celebrate him and, if we get a win, we can celebrate that after.

“If we get it back to front and put all our energy into that, we’ll get it wrong. Shaun’s driving that more than us.”

Johnson, 33, was on song early against Manly, scoring the Warriors’ opening try, as he gratefully accepted an offload from prop Addin Fonua-Blake, with the line beckoning.

“He’s been really calm and clear about the way he wants to finish,” said Webster. “I haven’t seen any signs of emotions, but I feel like he just wants to enjoy every moment and memory with the boys.

“As it gets closer and we get home, and he knows it’s about to finish, it may be a bit different, but at the moment, I haven’t seen any signs of that. He’s had a really good attitude.”

Johnson won’t be the only player running out onto the hallowed Mt Smart turf for final time in Warriors colours, with Fonua-Blake and utility forward Jazz Tevaga also leaving at the end of the season.