NZ Warriors believe they're building the best playing roster the club's had in years, as they plot their assault on the 2021 NRL season.
Owner Mark Robinson has made his expectations clear - wherever the team's based next year, he wants to see them playing playoff football.
The Warriors' push towards the post-season surprised everyone this year, but a playoffs spot is expected next year.
"We don't want to put a lot of pressure on ourselves… but it's got to be a top-eight club with that roster," says Robinson.
Both Robinson and the club's fanbase have every reason to be optimistic.
The club's aggression in the player market - with four major signings already - has given incoming coach Nathan Brown plenty to work with.
"I think it's probably the best roster we've had since back in the Stacey Jones and Awen Guttenbeil days," Robinson says.
Those new players add to a squad that has improved markedly under interim coach Todd Payten and Robinson's sure Brown can take them even further.
"I think it's going to be great," he says. "We weren't that far off making the top eight with what we had."
Those expectations will remain, even if the squad were to be based in Australia next season.
The club's asked the NRL to give it an opening run of home games in its schedule in the hope that the borders do open, which it's confident will be the case.
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