Youngster Chanel Harris-Tavita has immediately benefitted from the departure of Warriors veteran Blake Green, with promotion into the starting line-up to face Manly Sea Eagles on Friday.
With Green's release to Newcastle Knights on Tuesday, interim coach Todd Payten has little choice but to present Harris-Tavita with the No.7 jersey for the rest of the season, gifting him invaluable experience and a chance to prove himself for seasons to come.
"It gives him a tremendous opportunity now to really work into a role within the NRL squad for the rest of the year and allows him to develop in that capacity," says Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
"It wasn't just 'see you later, Blake', we certainly weighed up a number of options when we had to consider it.
"It's really exciting for Chanel and some of the other kids coming through."
Harris-Tavita for Green is the only real change from the squad that toppled Wests Tigers last week, although Gerard Beale steals the final reserves spot off Josh Curran from last week's group.
Green and Beale had both been identified as players unwanted for next season, with Adam Blair another whose future is in question.
In his 20th appearance for the club, Harris-Tavita, 21, will partner Kodi Nikorima in the halves. Parramatta recruits George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro will make their second outings on loan, while Adam Keighran now looms as the next half option off the rank.
"When you look back on this year, there will be a lot of players that have played probably where their careers should be," says George.
"If there's any good to come out of this, it may well be, in time, we'll look back and say the experience everyone received during this tough time has made them a better player and better person.
"As a club, it could take a year to generate that and maybe this year, it's been accelerated. There are a number of players that are playing more minutes and more games than they would have under normal circumstances.
"I'm sure it's going to be beneficial for our club next year and beyond."
But although the Warriors currently sit just four points outside playoff contention, Green's exit certainly tips the priority for this season more towards player development than winning games.
Join us at 8pm Friday for live updates of the Warriors v Sea Eagles NRL clash