Auckland Warriors - 2000

The Auckland Warriors completely unravelled on and off the field in the 2000 NRL season, threatening the club's very existence.

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The Warriors bit the bullet and agreed to payout terms with Matthew Ridge, releasing the troublesome fullback from the final year of his contract. Frustratingly, they looked to have secured the prized signatures of State of Origin outside-backs Jamie Ainscough and Matt Sing for 2000 before both deals fell over.

Encouraging roster moves came courtesy of the signing of Sydney City fullback/centre Ivan Cleary, then the premiership record-holder for most points in a season, Parramatta’s cult hero prop Mark Tookey and North Sydney flyer Scott Pethybridge. But the acquisition of Matthew Spence and Scott Coxon from wooden spooner Western Suburbs seemed more ambitious than astute. Graham Lowe and coach Mark Graham clashed over the recruitment strategy of favouring journeymen ahead of local products, while injuries and indifferent form dictated that none of the quintet made a notable impact in 2000.