All week the fanfare was focused around Jarrod Croker celebrating his 300th milestone match in front of his adoring home crowd in Canberra. There was very little attention paid to the team across the ditch, the New Zealand Warriors, who quietly went about their business with the aim of playing the ultimate party-poopers.
And that's exactly what they did as they weathered the storm early before showcasing why they are a rejuvenated force this season with a 36-14 win.
Jarrod Croker reflects on emotional week for the Raiders
In the tunnel, as the Raiders' captain awaited his moment to run out onto the pitch, emotion already started to get the better of him as he continued to tear up throughout the opening festivities.
MORE: A look back on Jarrod Croker's career after 300th appearance
A one-minute applause followed in the third minute of the game, before his first run after five minutes generated the kind of noise from the sell-out crowd at GIO Stadium seemed as if it was celebrating a premiership win.
"I'm probably prouder now to be a Raider than I've ever been," he said post-match.
"I've seen how much effort has gone into this week from every single person downstairs and upstairs at Raiders HQ.
"Family, friends and the boys - I've thanked them already and they know how much I love them and the coaching staff.
"I'll never forget this week, ever. I'm so grateful to be a Raider. The boys are as upset as me.
"The result stings, for now. But we'll come out of it and win more games and the result will be in the background and the week will be something I remember forever."
"I'd rather have this week and lose the two points than have a s*** week for Jarrod promoting his 300 and win," Ricky Stuart added.
"If that costs us a position in the top four or top eight, so be it - that's our fault.
"This club has a wonderful, wonderful culture and we look after our own."
Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shine for the Warriors
Canberra had all of the momentum and all of the ball, but they could fashion nothing on the scoreboard as Andrew Webster's men repelled their attack repeatedly.
It was telling that when they finally did crack, it was from a fortuitous ricochet off a Jack Wighton grubber which the five-eighth gathered and scored from.
Although on the whole, the visitors survived the brutal onslaught from the Raiders which lasted pretty much for the first half an hour, before a miraculous put-down from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak helped to swing the tide in their favour.
"That's Shaun Johnson, Stacey Jones and Dallin who just practice that play," Webster said.
"There are three different options for that play, and they just keep practicing and practicing them. They deserve all the credit for that one."
Watene-Zelezniak with something UNBELIEVEABLE!
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The Warriors went into the break two points down, but fortunes flipped in the second stanza. And with the possession and territory in their favour, they piled on 30 points in the second half.
"We kept digging a bigger hole for ourselves and, at some point, your effort overcomes your smarts," Stuart said.
"I feel sorry for the boys because they're disappointed and feel like they've let their captain down."
Johnson was the architect of most of the damage, registering three try assists before returning from a head knock to score a four-pointer of his own in the dying stages of the contest.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was also heavily involved against his former side, exemplifying the Warriors never say die attitude under their rookie coach.
"It's what he does every week. It's just effort and everything for the team," Webster said.
"He puts the team first and I think he's been one of our most consistent each week. The boys love playing with him because out of trouble he puts them on his back and carries them out."
The Warriors were down to 12 men twice in the game and have a lengthy injury list to contend with but keep on chipping away to the point where they now have their sights set on cementing their place inside the top eight in the coming weeks.
"The second half we just came out and blew them away," Webster enthused.
