Clinton Toopi played in the Warriors' maiden NRL final appearance and first grand final but insists this current side under coach Andrew Webster is a cut above and can go all the way.
The Warriors will host the Dolphins in Auckland on Saturday in a qualifying final in front of a sold-out crowd at the same venue where strike centre Toopi shone in a 36-20 win over Canberra in 2002.
They fell short at the final hurdle against the Sydney Roosters, as they did to Manly in 2011, but Toopi has a sense this is the best team yet that the Warriors have put together.
A win over the Dolphins would put the Warriors into their first home preliminary final in Auckland.
"The Warriors of today have a deeper connection than what they have been previously able to manifest," Toopi told AAP.
"Putting consistency and the Warriors in the same sentence has never been heard of. That's not to take away from everyone that has played in that jersey with pride, but we would get a high and then we would get a low.
"Sometimes my nickname was 'rocks and diamonds' but we find with the Warriors of today it is more about consistency. What comes with that is high completion rates, being defensively strong and lethal in attack. That's a building block to win a premiership.
"What the Warriors have been able to earn is a reward for their efforts, based on a mountain of milestones for the club."
Statistics prove Toopi's analysis to be spot on. This year the Warriors conceded their fewest points in history (418) and scored their most ever (728).
Completion rates under Webster's tenure have been at historical highs above 80%.
Home support will be 'huge'
The home support will be "huge for the Warriors", as it was in 2002.
"Memorable for me is that psychological backing from your supporters and lifting us with their chants," Toopi recalled.
"When we needed it most they were yelling 'de-fence'. It makes you switch on more because you realise how much it means, not just to you but the supporters who are riding the experience with you.
"This is another level and the boys can go up another gear. I'm sure they have the confidence. In that home atmosphere they will embrace it and flourish in it."
In his pomp Toopi was recognised as one of the world's best centres. He is a huge fan of current centre Leka 'The Wrecker' Halasima, lock Erin Clark and dynamic young forwards Jacob Laban and Demitric Vaimauga.
Co-captain James Fisher-Harris and fellow experienced skipper and prop Mitch Barnett are the glue that holds it all together, reminding Toopi of his 2002 finals experience.
"It was a surreal moment. I loved it," he said.
"Did I thrive in it? Not necessarily. I had an ego to go with some of those kind of occasions but I had mature leaders that helped keep me in check and helped me stay level.
"I'm talking about Kevin Campion, Awen Guttenbeil, Logan Swann, Stacey Jones. Those guys were a massive asset for us. They were the Fish and Mitchy Barnett of this day and age.
"That is what has been great about Fish and Mitchy. They are able to inspire and lead these young, energetic, enthusiastic athletes who have so much on their side.
"The talent coming out of the Warriors and their pathways is huge and that is what is going to be a massive bonus for these boys."
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