The Warriors have been ludicrous for two decades but they've given sports nuts something to go nuts about. And the Warriors are still kicking, even if it results in self-inflicted wounds.
The curtain came down on a dramatic week with a gripping finish to the clash against the famously tough Bulldogs. Having disgraced themselves against Cronulla, the Warriors played for keeps. They didn't win, but it's possible to play well and lose. That's sporting life.
The Warriors also did something rare - they brought Eden Park to life, including a moderately sized crowed chanting the club's name. This was stirring stuff.
I conducted an inadvertent study via television on Saturday night, while flicking between A-League soccer and NRL matches across the ditch, and the Chiefs' Super 15 game against the Rebels in Hamilton.
On this makeshift atmosphere gauge, the soccer match won hands down. The league was also pretty good. The rugby limped to a very distant third even though it involved the double champions in an unexpectedly tense finish. New Zealand rugby crowds rarely appear joyous or animated.
Calling psychologists and sociologists - start your engines please. Moving on ... New Warriors coach Andrew McFadden won't be jumping for joy on his first start as head coach, even though his side stopped the rot. A man being portrayed as a straight thinker and talker - replacing the mysterious Elliott - saw two points go down the drain.
McFadden has already made a clear mark, injecting more dummy half running into the plan and using Ben Matulino as a ball player on the fringes presumably to compensate for Feleti Mateo's axing.
It was a promising start for McFadden, but you won't see any bold predictions about a wonderful Warriors future here. However, I'm comfortable predicting another weird drama is on the way.
