During that time, they have never hedged their bets by selecting any other NRL teams to win. They only bet on the Warriors to win the NRL Premiership and have done so before a ball has been kicked.
The TAB says Warriors fans stand to collect $2.4m if they win the premiership, and they hold a third of the money in the grand final market, followed by the Penrith Panthers, the current favourites and Sydney Roosters, who have fallen down the pecking order after losing three straight games to finish the regular season.
Thomas, who lives in New Plymouth, has been doing it longer than most, and has chucked a cheeky $10 on at the start of each of the last 20 years.
The odds have never been an issue. He does it for the love of the Warriors hoping one day it might pay off.
“It’s pretty much become a bit of a tradition,” Thomas said.
“Every year I’ve got full confidence, but this year it’s feeling really good. I’ve been backing this team since the start, and it’s just one of those things, and every year I genuinely believe they’re going to do it. The confidence levels are high.”
Former Warriors centre Solomone Kata (left) with Mark Thomas. Photo / Supplied
Thomas also has a strong Warriors memorabilia collection including rare merchandise.
“Drinkware, jandals and dressing gowns and even doormats,” Thomas said. “Sheets, socks, puzzles and flags, you name it.”
Anna has also followed the Warriors since day one, recalling the sound of the drums being a core memory.
She tries to place $50 on them each year to win the title.
“It was always an outside chance, but it was always our year,” she said.
“I’m a bit miffed I didn’t put them in to be in the top four. I’d normally do one, one in the top four and one to win, so never mind.
“It’s just just something that you do if you follow a team, you trust in them and you just hope like hell that they come through.”
Allen’s story supporting the Warriors is special.
Allen, a chartered accountant, has also followed the team since day one, but has never made it to a match due to his location on the South Island’s west coast.
As soon as the odds open after the grand final, he chucks $10 on the Warriors to win.
“One year I randomly just chucked $10 at the start of the year on for the Warriors to win and obviously that was been a losing bet ever since, which I’ve just continued with,” Allen said.
“You’re always optimistic that this year’s our turn, but still waiting.”
Allen admits he was surprised to learn he was one of a select crew who have been backing the Warriors to win.
“It’s only small amounts I’m putting on, so it’s not it’s nothing major, but you just have a bit of a little bit of skin in the game,” Allen said.
The TAB say the biggest bet placed on them to win the premiership has been $5000, when the odds were $11. The second biggest bet was $2400 at $9.75, and there have been two bets of $2000 at $10 and $11.
The Warriors are second favourites to win, paying $3.60, while the Panthers are $2.50.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.