As far as season finales go, NZ Warriors' capitulation against Gold Coast Titans on Saturday couldn't have been more suitably scripted.
In fact, the perennial cellar-dwellers arguably saved their worst for last, blowing a 14-point lead to ultimately fall to a 27-26 golden-point defeat to the struggling Titans.
Just as it seemed the Warriors may provide their long-suffering faithful at Mt Smart Stadium some hope to carry into the off-season, they allowed in two late tries and a penalty to force the contest into extra time, when Titans' half Tanah Boyd put the finishing touches on a miserable campaign with a match-winning field goal.
Interim head coach Stacey Jones was - yet again - left shaking his head, as his team continued its trend of failing to capitalise on early leads.
"Very disappointing," said Jones. "We've had some tough moments this year and that's right up there."
Jones was almost lost for words when searching for answers of exactly what went wrong against the Titans, admitting he knew better than to assume his side had done enough to clinch victory after the impressive Viliami Vailea's try put them ahead 26-12.
"We know that we were playing against a team that can play good, attacking footy," he noted.
"We came up with some dumb moments on the field in that last 10 minutes and by no means did I think it was over.
"We came up with some dumb plays that got them back into the game and it shouldn't have been like that."
Captain Tohu Harris rued his team's ongoing issues with indiscipline and poor decision-making when games enter crunch time.
"It seems to be the story of our season," Harris said.
"Whatever it is, we find a way to shoot ourselves in the foot. It's very frustrating.
"There were a few times we took the easy option and gave cheap possession away when it could have easily been ours.
"It happened in different ways, but it was individual lapses at crucial times."
The Warriors players will have plenty of time for reflection in their upcoming off-season, missing out on the NRL finals for a fourth-straight year after falling to 15th in the final season standings - one spot above the wooden spoon.
With a permanent return to their homebase, new coach Andrew Webster and a cast of new players incoming, the Warriors and their fans will be hoping they can wipe the slate well and truly clean in 2023.
"It has been a tough three years for this club and we've had some stuff that we had to deal with during the year," added Jones.
"Not nice, but at least the boys can have a break and reset themselves wherever they go.
"Whether they're going to another club, or the boys that are staying here, they've got to turn up wherever they go and get themselves ready for - I'd imagine - a tough preseason."
After the match, departing forward Euan Aitken was awarded the Simon Mannering medal for Warriors player of the year, while teen centre Vailea was named rookie of the year.
