Todd Payten will coach against NZ Warriors next year, but the departing interim coach insists fans should be optimistic about their future.
On Sunday, the Warriors will play their final game against Manly Sea Eagles, before returning to New Zealand, ending a challenging season that has seen them permanently based in Australia.
The game will also be Payten's last with the club, as he leaves to become head coach of North Queensland Cowboys.
While the season has been difficult, positives have come out of the season, including the emergence of younger stars, with rookies Eliesa Katoa and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown earning valuable game-time, while the likes of Karl Lawton and Adam Pompey have improved over the campaign.
The Warriors have also been busy in the transfer market, signing props Kane Evans, Ben Murdoch-Masillia and Addin Fonua-Blake, along with centre Euan Aitken, while Jack Hetherington - who spent six games on loan at the club - could be on his way too.
"I think they will go well [next year], I really do," says Payten. "Addin, who has just signed, is a top-five player in that position and he's got his best years ahead of him - he makes the guys around him better.
"The starting pack next year, it's going to be quite formidable. Leeson is going to come back, you'll have Tohu and Jazz in the middle, Eliesa is going to be better.
"What the halves have done over the last six weeks will serve them in good stead heading into next year, you will get the two big wingers [David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo] back, and the kids who got experience this year are going to believe they're first-graders.
"If I was a Warriors supporter, I'd be quite optimistic going into next year."
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