Disappointed Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson managed to find positives in the path taken by the Tricolours in 2016 despite again failing in their quest for their maiden win, going down 32-28 in golden point to the Warriors.
Robinson said the development of halfback Jackson Hastings and fullback Latrell Mitchell in particular were crucial for future success no matter the results that may fall in between.
The Roosters mentor was able to relate to fellow cellar-dwellers Newcastle – who have taken a similar approach to his struggling outfit – and said he wasn't frightened by the prospect of his inexperienced players producing mixed efforts.
Robinson wasn't offering any excuse for their loss to the Warriors.
"Teams can see we have decided, with Mitchell [Pearce] being out, that we're going out there to teach them some footy and get them some games," Robinson said.
"You have to blood some of these guys. You have to wear what's going to happen around them. We're not afraid of leaving them out there and learning some footy because it will benefit us in the future.
"It hurts at the moment, but that's footy. It's what clubs have to do. You can see that Newcastle is going through it at the moment with [coach Nathan] Brownie and he has taken a view.
"We want to win. We want to win each week and we want to really compete hard but we also want future and that's what we're investing in. I'm not pretending or covering up anything though we should have won. We had enough opportunities."
Perhaps unfairly treated by some considering three of the Roosters' last four games have been defeats by four points or less Robinson said the "exciting thing" for his club was the hope of defying the odds.
Robinson said he hopes to build some much-needed momentum without the likes of Pearce (suspended), Boyd Cordner (pectoral) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee) who are still all a month away from returning.
"We look forward to [their returns] but we want to play some good footy and win some games without them," Robinson said.
"That's the exciting bit for us at the moment, if we can do that and we don't have to rely on them. That's exciting. That's our focus and we're trying hard to do so."
Next task for the Roosters is the Rabbitohs, who defeated them by 32 points in their season-opener a month ago.
"We're going to have to improve a lot, playing our rivals on a five-day turnaround," Robinson added.
"There are some effort areas we need to improve on. [Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's golden point] try was unacceptable, after the break we had. We're going to have to be really desperate."
