With all the ins and outs of NZ Warriors over the past couple of years, it's easy to get a bit lost on who could actually line up come kick-off in 2023.
But the revolving door at Mt Smart has slowed down - for now - and produced a more than capable spine which incoming coach Andrew Webster can build a team around.
Many fans' worst fears were realised when it was confirmed young gun Reece Walsh was returning to Brisbane, although this was no major shock, with the Aussie media touting his move before the ink on his Warriors contract was hardly dry.
But in the same breath as 'Walsh Departs', it was announced Canberra Raiders fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad would return to Penrose after coming through the club's junior systems.
Throw in former Broncos utility Te Maire Martin, along with the existing figures of hooker Wayde Egan and halfback Shaun Johnson, and it seems the Warriors have a solid base to start on.
"I think they're important," incoming coach Andrew Webster told Newshub. "If you look at all successful teams they've got a good spine.
"[I'm] really grateful I'm inheriting that. A guy like Te Maire Martin, he's a New Zealand boy coming home, he's really excited about that, but he's had relationships with Charnze and Shaun on an international level.
"Even when he played club football at Penrith, he's worked with Wayde Egan, so there already is a bit of a connection."
As for the glue that will help that connection blossom?
"I think the biggest thing for us to connect to our spine is going to be Tohu (Harris)," Webster continued.
"You look at all the best clubs, their leader in the middle of the field actually connects everything to the spine."
But Webster admits he isn't looking too much at other sides, as he looks to mould his side in a way that suits their own unique strengths.
"I think we can create our own style, not copy someone else's. Create what's going to work for this team and this spine and go from there."
While some players' place in the side may appear a formality, Webster is eager for everyone to scrap for a spot, including younger players looking to upset the apple cart.
"The real professional players, the guys you see perform really well every week, you pencil their name in straight away because [you] know he's going to do his job every week," Webster explains.
"But the thing about those guys is, they don't pencil themselves in. The day before pre-season starts, they're as motivated and aggressive to chase their goals as anyone.
"Every spot is open, but you can guarantee there's a core group of people who are saying 'hang on, this is mine - no one's taking it off me'.
"The challenge is to say 'boys let's compete hard here, there's spots up for grabs, but you can also take one of those spots off them'."
The incoming boss isn't focused just on the top side, and as you'd expect from someone coming from the Penrith Panthers, he has an eye towards the future, and the club's development systems.
"This is a pathways club, we're trying to develop a pathway for New Zealand kids. They've got to be ambitious, and respectful, but go after it, take that opportunity.
"If it means they beat an old head to a spot then that's great, that's good for New Zealand and it's good for the Warriors."
