The Wests Tigers have won three straight wooden spoons, and a fourth could be looming in 2025 unless their new signatures can click.
Despite some of the narrative suggesting the club have actually had an improved season - and certainly some moments looked far better under the coaching of Benji Marshall, while a host of young players are also coming through at the club - it's hard to say a third straight wooden spoon actually means any marked improvement.
That third straight wooden spoon sets up another long of-season for the club, with fans looking for ways to forget about the NRL - and what better way to do that than to Watch NFL games?
Yes, there is a future at the Tigers now after the breakout of a host of young players, led by the continued emergence of fullback Jahream Bula and half Lachlan Galvin, but in the grand scheme of things, that will mean very little unless they can have some experienced signings lead the way.
It's a clear point which has been recognised by coach Marshall and his recruitment staff at the joint-venture though, with plenty of players brought into the club.
The biggest of those is half Jarome Luai from the Penrith Panthers.
A star five-eighth who has been a New South Wales State of Origin representative - and had without doubt his best series in Sky Blue this year - Luai will run an enormous transition into the number seven next year.
He has performed strongly there when Nathan Cleary has been injured, but it's one thing to do it in the Panthers' system where they sit in the top four, and another entirely to essentially build his own system with a team who have won three straight wooden spoons.
In the experience stakes, Jack Bird will be an enormous inclusion for the Tigers. He brings experience, and utility value with the ability to play all over the park.
Maybe the biggest question Marshall has to answer over Bird is whether he can become consistent, and by extension of that what his actual best position is.
It was fairly clear this year that Shane Flanagan believed it was in the centres where Bird belonged. He played some solid rugby league too, but needs to find a new level next year. Whether that's in the centres or elsewhere remains to be seen.
The other key signings certainly aren't from the experienced front, but Sunia Turuva will bring stability on a wing after an excellent 24 months for the Panthers, while Jeral Skelton could bring a stack of power in the back five - something the Tigers have been severly missing in recent times.
There is little doubt the Tigers can improve in 2025, but whether they will is going to depend on Luai, it's going to depend on the rookies being consistent, and Marshall bringing this group together.
The finals might be a stretch too far, but you'd anticipate them at the very least avoiding an NRL-era record breaking fourth straight spoon.
