Warriors five-eighth Blake Green is adamant the side can challenge for the title regardless of where they finish in the top eight after slipping in the second half of the regular season.
Stephen Kearney's outfit have fallen to eighth spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder after dropping five of their last nine games but Green believes that position isn't a fair reflection of their season.
The shock 27-26 loss to Canterbury all but put an end to their hopes of a top-four finish with Green now aiming for an elimination home final in the first week of the post-season.
History suggests no team can win the premiership from outside the top four.
"It's been hard, we've been under pressure since I turned up in November," Green said.
"Everyone expects us to be in there, but the moment we lose a game and it's here we go again.
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"We're trying our hardest to try and shake that tag, I think we've done a really good job creating our own pathway.
"I'm confident we've got all the pieces to the puzzle, we've just got to make sure we get it right."
Green has relished the moved to New Zealand this season after a stint in Manly.
He has 10 try assists to his name, along with 11 line-break assists and two tries. But it is his combination with livewire Shaun Johnson that has meant the most to the Auckland-based side.
"I've really enjoyed it, everyone's been really welcoming to me and my family," Green said.
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"Shaun's a freestyler and off the cuff. We try and put him in many positions. I've really enjoyed playing with him, a super talent, the same as Roger but different."
The 31-year-old picked up a calf strain in Sunday's loss and admitted he is racing the clock for Friday night's clash with Penrith.
Gerard Beale (hamstring) and Johnson (ankle) will also be monitored.
"We've got two home games to finish against quality teams and a short turnaround," Green said.
"It's put a bit of a dent losing that game [against the Bulldogs], but I think we've performed well enough to be in the top eight. But we need to make sure we get the results in the next two weeks or we'll slip out of it.
"It can happen, I've seen it before. We can't rely on anyone. For us to make the eight we need to get a result from our last two home games.
"We've beaten some top eight teams this year and are confident in what we've got and the right game."