The Warriors started as one of the favourites in this year's National Rugby League competition, and we know how that turned out.
The Auckland-based side failed to reach the play-offs, finishing in 14th place with seven wins from 26 matches.
Understandably, the Breakers are keen to blaze a different trail and would prefer not to have too much expectation shadowing them.
But last season's semifinal run and a strong roster again this year means they shape as one of the teams to beat.
Leading Australian betting agency Centrebet thinks so as well.
It has the Breakers paying $A4.20 ($NZ5.09) to win the tournament, with only the Melbourne Tigers at shorter odds ($A3.75).
None of the pre-tournament talk means much to Lemanis.
Reputation did not win matches, hard work did, he said.
"Everybody is going to say `Yes, we can win the championship'. But it is how you go about doing that," Lemanis said.
"It is a boring answer but it comes down to working hard, playing as a team and riding the highs and lows of the season. We've just got to focus on the day-to-day and the results should take care of themselves.
"Do we have enough talent? Absolutely. But we've got to play as a team."
By talent Lemanis means the likes of Kirk Penney, CJ Bruton and Tony Ronaldson.
Penney and Bruton were named in the all-star five last season.
Their return, along with the surprise re-signing of forward Rick Rickert and the arrival of new import Awvee Storey, gives the Breakers' line-up a formidable look.
There is no secret to how the Breakers will look to play. They are a side that lives and dies from beyond the arch.
That is where Storey comes in.
It is his role to get the rebounds and give the snipers another shot if it goes awry.
How he fits in could have a major impact on the Breakers' prospects.
It takes time to adjust to a new league and team but Lemanis believes Storey will be an asset to the side.
"He's a tenacious rebounder, aggressive defender and goes hard to the rim. Combining those jobs with the rest of the group and I think it will be a nice fit."
With the league cut from 10 to eight teams, the Breakers arguably have their best opportunity to win the title.
But while there are fewer teams involved, the playing rosters are deeper.
It was not just the Breakers who were looking good on paper, Lemanis noted.
"I think you could tell from the first pre-season tournament it is going to be an absolute war. The league has been compressed into eight teams and it is actually harder to make the play-offs.
"But in saying that, the club is in a pretty good position with the culture we've been able to establish. The group is good to be around, they are good to work with and they are good players and good people.
"Off the court we've got things in order and we are starting to get the crowds coming in. It is a good time to be involved."
The Breakers open their campaign against the Cairns Taipans in Auckland tomorrow night.
The Taipans have signed former Breakers Rich Melzer and Phill Jones.
Jones will be looking forward to doing battle with former Tall Black team-mates Dillon Boucher and Paul Henare, while Melzer returns to the league after three years away.
