The decision may be out of their hands but the Warriors will do everything possible to ensure they play finals football at their "spiritual home".
By Jonty Dine for RNZ
The club is on track for a rare home play-off, currently leading the NRL table with two rounds remaining.
But where that potential home final will be played remains uncertain.
While the Warriors have been emphatic about wanting to remain at Go Media Stadium, the match could be moved to Eden Park to accommodate a significantly larger crowd.
With a 50,000 capacity, Eden Park can hold roughly double the number of fans as Mt Smart, offering the NRL the prospect of increased gate takings.
The NRL sent clubs its updated finals policy before the start of the season, stating that "for all NRL finals matches, ARLC reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine venues considered most suitable to host NRL and NRLW Final Series matches".
'I expect a conversation, likely next week'
That leaves the Warriors with limited control over the decision, but CEO Cameron George is prepared to make the club's case for staying home.
The Warriors have built one of the strongest home-ground advantages in the NRL, with their supporters turning Go Media Stadium into a cauldron. George believes both the fans and players have earned the right to experience finals football there.
"I still haven't had any conversation with the NRL. To be fair to us and everyone else, we're just, focused on this weekend. The top of the ladder is very congested, that being said, I think clarity will start unfold over the next week. So I expect if there's any conversation to have, it will most likely be next week."
This is not a new conversation for the Warriors at finals time.
Of the Warriors 21 play-off appearances, four have been played at Go Media Stadium, with none at Eden Park.
George accepts the NRL ultimately controls the finals, but believes the Warriors should be rewarded for earning a home semi-final.
"I understand the NRL own the finals and this topic always raises its head at this time of the year when we're looking potentially at a home semi. But this is our home. You earn rights to get home semi finals and it's not just a lucky draw. You play throughout the year to try and achieve these outcomes. This stadium, we belong here."
Although half the capacity of the country's national stadium, George said the atmosphere at Go Media can't be replicated elsewhere.
'This place gets rocking'
"It feels like 50,000. That's the beauty of our ground. Our fans have turned it into a place you want to be. That's why people become members and buy tickets early. This ground's very connected and spiritual to us. As a club and fans, it's a pretty special place."
Warriors captain Mitch Barnett agrees, believing the team's home-ground advantage should not be sacrificed for additional capacity.
"Everyone can agree, when we play here, this place gets rocking. This is our home, I reckon we stay here."
But despite the preference of the players, club and fans, George concedes the final decision is ultimately beyond their control.
"At the end of the day, there's probably not much we can do and I understand that. I just want to make sure that we have every opportunity to be considered as what's fair for everyone that we're here. But at the end of the day, the NRL will make the final decision."
'Why not? You've got to dream'
Reflecting on the Warriors place at the top of the table, George said it had been a difficult journey over the decades, but well worth it.
"It's truly special when you don't have to look too far back when we've had pretty bleak days. Cold nights, big scores against us, criticism. So to fast forward to where we're at now as an overall club, it's truly remarkable that in a short period of time we've been able to be consistently very good and up the top of the competition ladder."
With Warriors fans already accounting for 24% of grand final ticket sales, George too is daring to dream.
"Why not? You've got to dream. We're not blindsided by the fact we know where we are, but also not overstepping the line and making outrageous comments about where we want to go.
"We know why we're here, because we've been a very good footy team and our players believe in themselves and their plans. Why not dream about it? But also, we fully respect. We got a long way to go."
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