So the powers that be have decided to play a few games at Eden Park next season, woop de do. We all know how hard it is to impress the Kiwi battlers who slave away at work and then only complain about the sports team we follow. Wayne Scurrah and the Warriors are in a lose/lose situation really aren’t they. It just shows how short sighted we all are.

Mt Smart is the home of the Warriors. It always will be. It is also the modern home of New Zealand rugby league where kids love to play on the big stage, where those who hold down full time jobs and play a bit of league on the side showcase their talents on the lush fields of what we used to call Ericsson stadium. Fans love it because it’s unlike every other stadium in New Zealand. The only stadium that can build a serious atmosphere is Forsyth Barr stadium in Dunedin as fans are close to the action and of course it is covered. At Mt Smart, fans can see their heroes only a few metres away, they can abuse the opposition and congratulate their own. A sunny afternoon at Mt Smart is one of the best afternoon’s you will experience.

Fans should not be overly concerned with three games being shifted to Eden Park. Although the experience simply won’t match that at Mt Smart, the powers at be will select what they perceive to be ‘big’ games to be played at Eden Park. The thing is, there will be teams who aren’t classified as ‘big, crowd drawing’ opposition who will emerge out of the woodwork next season. That is when Mt Smart will be pumping as fans will know it is a big game and get out to support their boys. Teams that could fall in to this bracket? The Dragons will be an exciting team next season, so will the Titans and Cowboys. Officials will choose, for obvious reasons, games that can draw 30,000 people to Eden Park otherwise Eden Park will just look shit and empty. What would happen if for example, the Roosters,  Rabbitohs, Manly and Storm all flopped next season? Would people show up to Eden Park to see the Warriors run up 50 points on them? Doubt it. People will go for the contest. No one can predict who will provide the best contest.

The reaction from the red blooded Warriors fans puzzles me. The power is in your hands people! All I hear is complaining from Aucklanders who complain about the many misgivings of Eden Park. I agree with everything they say, the transport to and from Eden Park sucks … as it does throughout Auckland and it’s not the best stadium to watch a game of league at. But the fans have the ability to dictate what happens. We get caught up in just rolling with what officials decide. If you don’t want games to be played at Eden Park then don’t go. The team will understand. They'll know that you still love and adore them because either way you will be out there supporting these lads. Whether it's at Mt Smart or Eden Park, is up to you.

The Warriors will not keep playing at Eden Park if it is not commercially viable. At the moment it is, they get big crowds which ensures that each year, the Eden Park experiment gets a tick. If you love Mt Smart and see it as the home of the Warriors, pack the bloody place out! Everytime I hear Wayne Scurrah discuss this, he talks about the crowd numbers. These crowd numbers are controlled by you – the public, the fans. Don’t bitch and moan on talkback radio, make your opinions known by your actions. The equation is simple, if you want the Warriors to stay at Mt Smart, leave officials with no choice. Get yourselves down to Mt Smart and create an environment that is unmatched in the NRL. Be different to every other NZ sports fan – sing songs, bring the noise, bring some colour and make it an exciting but intimidating place to play footy.

I’m not going to suggest that you boycott Eden Park games, that’s a bit dramatic. But just keep in mind that if there are poor crowds at Eden Park, it won’t be sustainable. The choice is yours people. The ball is in your hands. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll have to live with. Just don’t bitch and moan if they move to Eden Park, because they have only done so to benefit the club and cater for larger crowds. If you don’t like the garden of Eden, don’t go and we’ll enjoy the beautiful Mt Smart for a couple of years at least.