David Skipwith: Mixed emotions on Mateo's demise from Warriors

Feleti Mateo. Photo / Getty Images

Feleti Mateo exits the Warriors with mountains of potential going largely unfulfilled.

The 30-year-old back-rower is heading back to Sydney to join Manly on a two-year deal looking to revive a career which plateaued dramatically during his four-year stint in Auckland.

It is difficult to say if the Warriors have won or lost from his departure, and Sea Eagles fans are debating the same points about the nature of their latest signing.

On his day, Mateo is a match-winner. On an off day, of which there were plenty in 2014, he looked like a reserve grader, which is where he found himself at different times throughout the season.

Mateo's release is the latest step in the gradual and sometimes painful transformation the Warriors have been making since former coach Ivan Cleary left at the end of 2011.

Arriving at Penrose that year, Mateo looked a natural fit among the young and impressive side that defied expectations to make it all the way to the grand final before losing to Manly.

His natural offloading ability and subtle hands worked nicely among a well-balanced forward pack boasting a potent blend of size, power, work ethic and creativity.

In 2012 he was selected for City Origin and NSW selection beckoned but never came.

In 2013 Mateo was so determined to break into Origin football he sacrificed the chance to play for Tonga at the World Cup and switched his allegiance to Australia, but was unwanted by either the Blues or Kangaroos.

This year he was flat-out cementing a regular spot in first grade.

Mateo's impact was greatly reduced over the last three years as the Warriors pack began adapting to life after Micheal Luck, Elijah Taylor and Russell Packer, while his attitude and fitness also seemed to fluctuate.

Inherent in Mateo's brilliance is the fact he plays an unorthodox game, less like a back-rower and more like a five-eighth.

Unfortunately for the freakishly talented ball-player, it seems that may also be part of the reason he fell out of favour with Warriors coach Andrew McFadden, and why state and national selectors remain disinterested.

Only six players - Manu Vatuvei, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Jacob Lillyman, Simon Mannering, and Ben Matulino - now remain from the 2011 grand final side.

Krisnan Inu and Kevin Locke trod similar paths of decline in terms of performance and discipline before leaving the club.

It wouldn't surprise to see Mateo return to his best form at Brookvale but the Warriors couldn't gamble on another year of false hope and unpredictability.