Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is gearing up for his 200th match in the NRL, but revealed that he came close to retirement a few seasons ago after a run of challenges.
"There was a time when I wasn't doing so well," said the Warriors wing this week.
"I was going to give the game up. So, to get here is pretty special…it's a big occasion for my wife and kids. My wife's been there for every single match, well she was my girlfriend at the start but she's been there since day one. My family's been there too, so it's a big occasion for all of us."
Watene-Zelezniak was looking forward having his family involved in the occasion at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, when the Warriors meet the Panthers.
"Having three kids, a lot of preparation goes into game day, it's a big blessing in my life. Getting them to run out with me, that's going to be the proudest."
He was now into his fourth season at the Warriors, off the back of a massive season in 2023 in which he scored 27 tries and was named in the Dally M Team of the Year.
However, his tenure with the team started under much different circumstances, being thrown a lifeline by the Warriors after a move to the Bulldogs in 2019 resulted in two disappointing seasons where the club finished 12th and 15th.
Despite this spectacular try from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, the Warriors went down to the Dragons in Wollongong. Photo: Photosport
However, Watene-Zelezniak looked back on his entire career with pride.
"It's quite cool when all you dreamed of was playing one. Playing 200 hasn't sunk in yet, but I guess it will closer to the game," he said.
A more pressing issue was how the Warriors were going to be able to reverse a four game loss streak, but Watene-Zelezniak had faith in the way the team was preparing for a tough match against the defending premiers.
"I think Webby (coach Andrew Webster) and the coaching staff do a pretty good job of keeping it the same, in terms of the energy around the joint…there's a lot of positivity and a clear way of how we're going to get better and win games," he said.
Watene-Zelezniak was on the end of a reshuffled backline after Shaun Johnson was ruled out with a pectoral injury. Charnze Niccol-Kloktad comes into the halves, Taine Tuaupiki comes back in at fullback, while Ali Leiataua gets his first start at centre. Watene-Zelezniak was not fussed by the changes.
"Not too much, I don't really want to change anything (about his own game). I just gotta understand their strengths and weaknesses and do my best for them."
On the whole, he said the assignment on attack was straightforward.
"We have to keep adapting to what defences are doing, we haven't probably been at our best. These are the sort of games you get up for, backs against the wall."
Warriors v Panthers
Kick-off: 3:50pm Sunday 19 March
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Warriors (six to be omitted): 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Bunty Afoa, 11. Jackson Ford, 12. Mitch Barnett. 13. Tohu Harris. 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Tom Ale, 16. Jazz Tevaga, 17. Jacob Laban, 18. Zyon Maiu'u, 20. Ed Kosi, 21. Paul Roache 22. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 23. Ben Farr
Panthers (five to be omitted): 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To'o 6. Jack Cole 7. Jarome Luai 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Daine Laurie 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Paul Alamoti 19. Preston Riki 20. Tyrone Peachey 21. Soni Luke 22. Scott Sorensen