NZ Warriors have only been back in the country 24 hours, but planning is already underway, as they look to go even further next year.
The club encapsulated the country this NRL season, as they returned home fulltime for the first time since 2019, with old and new fans joining in on the ride.
"There was a lot of challenges along the way, but just the resilience that the boys and the club showed throughout various times is really pleasing," chief executive Cameron George told Newshub.
"We're just very proud for our fanbase, our sponsors and just everyone in general that got to enjoy the ride this year. The whole season was completed by bringing the nation together, for me, and that's something I'm really proud of this organisation for doing."
George labels a club reset at the start of the year, including bringing in coach Andrew Webster, as "crucial".
"Our reset was all about our identity - what we stood for, what we believed in, the cause - and then we shifted to how we were going to execute that," he said. "We had plans afoot right across the organisation."
With such success, how do they take that to another level? Even on day one of the off-season, work's already underway at Warriors HQ.
"We're really excited about the next edition of 'Up the Wahs' for 2024," said George.
After a season like no other, the players are now off-duty for a few weeks, but George and Webster, not so much.
"We've had meetings already about how we go to another level," said George. "It's all about '24 now.
"We got a taste of something special this year and we want to conquer it next year. It starts with planning now and our whole organisation's busy doing that."
This year saw the Warriors return home fulltime for the first time since 2019. No longer nomads, they know how sweet home is, and how crucial it and their fans were to their success.
George concedes the club was surprised at how quickly fans engaged, but the club wants more.
With just 10 games at Mount Smart this year and only 13 in New Zealand, George would like NRL fixtures not just involving the Warriors... rep games, ANZAC Day.
"I think it's time that the NRL gave back to this country as well. We provide a lot of playing content across the competition, across all clubs, and I think it's really time that the NRL really started to look at New Zealand and looking at putting more content in here."
He has his own ideas.
"NRLW Magic round is another one I'm pushing for," said George. "I think they deserve their own market.
"This is a wonderful country around women's sport and the support they provide, and that would be a fantastic initiative by the NRL to do that next year."
George has revealed to Newshub the club has applied to return the NRLW for the first time since 2021, when it expands in 2025.
"Our application went in on Friday," he confirmed. "They closed Friday afternoon and now we’re waiting to hear back from the NRL with that.
"We're really excited about that opportunity."
The work for 2024 begins now.
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