Peter Jessup: Missed out this time, but we're on a roll

SYDNEY - The Warriors' grand final appearance last night did not end the way we had hoped, and it could affect the Kiwis' confidence in the test against Australia in Wellington next weekend.

But regardless of that result, league is on a roll.

This year, clubs had around 35,000 players.

That number will rocket if Stacey Jones and his boys keep on keeping on, winning more than they lose, always playing with heart, with style.

Kids at school will want to be little Joneses, instead of little Jonahs.

The game will enjoy increased attention from sponsors, better attendances at games, bigger broadcasting fees.

That will bring more money for development, more and better players. Success breeds success.

The Warriors are perfectly poised to repeat their grand final appearance.

In a slick management move, chief executive Mick Watson made sure all the players the club wanted to hang on to were nailed early this year to deals to play three more seasons.

So star secondrower Ali Lauiti'iti, club captain Monty Betham and the mercurial Stacey Jones aren't going anywhere.

Watson then knew what was left under the A$3.25 million ($3.71 million) salary cap to retain the up-and-comers, including Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Motu Tony, Richard Villasanti - the guys who have made the big improvement and are going to be around for a few more seasons.

Some players will become targets for other clubs, making the management a victim of its own success.

Already, many players are taking less here than they could get in Australia and especially England because they like the lifestyle with friends and family in Auckland.

But if the Warriors do make another grand final, it's certain the club won't be able to retain its winning combination because of the financial restriction on salaries.

So it's back to developing more youngsters. Which is where coach Daniel Anderson, also signed to the four-year plan, is at his best.

Anderson came from Australia to Auckland with a three-year plan, and is clearly well ahead of where he had aimed to be in year two.

It will be fun hanging on to see where the ride takes us next year.

If he maintains his success rate, he's a sitter for the NSW State of Origin and/or the Kangaroo coaching jobs in the not-too-distant future.

At season's end, it's worth reflecting on the departure of two of the Warriors' most accomplished performers, Kevin Campion and Ivan Cleary.

After Watson did his sums mid-season, he told them the club would not be extending their contracts.

The news did nothing but harden the resolve of both to go out on a high note. And an appearance in the final provided that.

It is the grit Campion shows under pressure and his mental and physical toughness, mixed with Cleary's calm, cool precision and great positional play, that the Warriors will need if they are to rocket into the future.

Of all the Warriors' big-name buy-ins, those two have been consistently the best.

Thanks, guys.