Future of embattled Warriors coach to be decided at board meeting this week as boss Eric Watson flies in to town.
Expect an announcement on the Warriors' coaching set-up as early as Thursday.
There is a board meeting on Wednesday, when the direction for 2017 - either to stick with incumbent Andrew McFadden or go in another direction - will be decided.
It's understood the club have been in contact withseveral possible contenders to assess their availability as they examine all of their options.
These could include Ivan Cleary, Geoff Toovey, Stephen Kearney and David Kidwell, among other names.
That might indicate the appetite for change, or it may just be due diligence as the club weighs up the merits of McFadden against the other genuine alternatives on the market.
There remains a faction of support for McFadden and his potential, but there is also genuine concern about another underwhelming season and the nature of the performances in the final two games.
Warriors owner Eric Watson arrives back in the country today. It's been a long-planned visit - to attend the Warriors' end-of-season dinner on Tuesday - but he will also play a key role in the decisions.
Many of the post-season reviews have already been completed. McFadden conducted his own meetings with members of his coaching and playing staff, while board member Owen Eastwood, who is leading the review alongside CEO Jim Doyle, met with players, coaches and management.
The club have also released several second-tier players, with Johnathan Wright, Sione Lousi, John Palavi, Henare Wells and Marata Niukore not having their contracts renewed for 2017.
McFadden confirmed to Newstalk ZB yesterday that he expects to know his fate in the coming week, and he will look to move on some senior players if he is reappointed.
"We need some certainty in the near future but there is a process to go through," he said.
"I'm a realist [and] my job has to be questioned given the way we have performed. I have done some good things but there is some stuff you just can't ignore."
It's McFadden's third post-season review.
In 2014 he did relatively well as a rookie coach, and Shaun Johnson's injury was the catalyst for a disastrous eight-game losing streak in 2015.
But this year the results are inexplicable.
"I've had to look very hard at myself," said McFadden.
"We had some excuses last year but none this year.
"We were sitting seventh with four games to go - with three home games and very winnable games - and we didn't perform at all.
"We are certainly lacking something and that's what the review is designed to find."
McFadden said he had no idea of his fate.
Jim Doyle
"My gut is I don't know. I've had some conversations with Jim but we understand we have to go through this process. Once he gets that feedback he will make some decisions."
If he holds the reins again, McFadden says there will be changes to the playing roster, including some senior players.
While many of the young brigade performed well in 2016 some more experienced players - like Ben Matulino, Manu Vatuvei, Bodene Thompson and Jacob Lillyman - were inconsistent.
"When teams are under pressure you get a picture of who can rise to it," he said. "We have got some guys who are struggling with that. Some of that is to do with age, but some other guys are clearly running out of excuses.
"We had some players well and truly underperform. I take a certain amount of responsibility in that and the players need to as well.
"Something needs to change because we can't keep going down the same road. That is what the review is for. My position will be first and foremost but everything needs to be looked at, including players. We want success here and, if that means changes to our roster, then so be it."
