This wasn't how it was meant to end - the massive week to celebrate Jarrod Croker's 300th NRL game.
The emotion was clear to see, with Croker reduced to tears as he ran out in front of 21,082 at Canberra Stadium.
Perhaps that emotion got the better of the Canberra Raiders as a resolute New Zealand Warriors ran over the top of them in the second half to spoil the party.