McFadden has been an NRL head coach for less than five months. Though the season was ultimately a failure, McFadden brought a hard edge back to Mt Smart that had been missing since 2011. He was willing to be innovative in selections, avoided making excuses and (mostly) got the best out of his players. Like his team, he made some poor decisions over the last six weeks but has undoubted ability.
No return to Eden
The team won't have the millstone of Eden Park around their necks next year, with at least 11 of their 12 home matches to be played at Mt Smart. The Warriors lost two of their three games at Eden Park and at least one of those results - and possibly both - could have been different at Mt Smart with a much more intimidating atmosphere. They won six of their eight matches in Penrose this year. They've won one of six at Eden Park.
Playing for their futures
More than half the Warriors squad come off contract in the next two years. While many would argue that just being in the NRL should prompt players to maintain high standards, their contract status should provide additional motivation.
Sam Tomkins has time to reboot
The premature end to the season gives Sam Tomkins - and his footwear supplier - time to find some boots he can actually stand up in. The England fullback has been under the microscope more than most this season but pub talk has focused on his predilection for slipping. There hasn't been such a focus on a player's footwear since Graeme Langlands' white boots in 1975.
Reasons for concern
Sliding on
Another season, another late-season slide. The Warriors thought they had addressed their 'expectation demons' but they surfaced once again. For all the resilience they exhibited mid-season, the disappointing finale illustrated that the absolute hatred of losing - a quality of all champion teams - was still not ingrained in the Mt Smart DNA. There were mitigating factors but, overall, it showed a majority of the squad continue to struggle with the week-to-week mental demands of the NRL.
Draw
You can't help feeling the Warriors missed a golden opportunity this season. Putting aside the travel demands - a constant, but the worst of any club - it was a kind draw. Only one game against each of the Big Four (Roosters, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs and Storm) compared with two in 2013, no trip to bogey grounds Leichhardt and Wollongong and two of their 'away' games in New Zealand. They also played six of the bottom seven teams twice.
What's going to change?
To date, Ryan Hoffman and Matt Allwood are the only new arrivals for next season. Is that enough? Maybe three or four would be better to shake up the current situation, especially given the Warriors' recent recruitment record. Sam Tomkins and Chad Townsend achieved a pass mark but Jayson Bukuya has been unimpressive. And the time, energy and money wasted on 'elite' Leeds juniors Jordan Baldwinson and Mason Tonks was hard to fathom. They were brought out amid much fanfare but struggled to make the NYC team and barely impressed at Fox Memorial level.
Tough 2015
It's inevitable the 2015 season will be even more competitive than this year. Things can only get better at the Sharks and Tigers, who have been beset by off-field dramas. The Titans and Broncos will surely improve under new coaches Neil Henry and Wayne Bennett respectively. The Dragons seem on the right path and Canberra should progress from useless to useful. Parramatta's revival looks promising and the Knights have shown their potential during the past seven weeks. And it's hard to see any of the other teams going backwards.
Crooked spine
Questions remain over the spine of the side. Will Tomkins justify his massive fee? Who is the best option at hooker? And do Shaun Johnson, Chad Townsend and Thomas Leuluai bring enough halves quality to deliver a premiership? Out wide, Hurrell and Laumape have great potential but their strengths - and weaknesses - are too similar.
