Grant Mayer is accustomed to success, so when the new Wests Tigers chief executive spends his first day on the job talking about a NRL grand final appearance in 2016, you can't help but listen.
Mayer was on Friday announced as the permanent successor to Stephen Humphreys, having filled the role on an interim basis following the unexpected departure of Humphreys in May.
Given the factions at play with the joint-venture, it's a job like no other in the NRL, but the former Manly CEO has proven pedigree when it comes to crisis management.
As an operations manager at Canterbury at the turn of the century, he helped rebuild a brand and club ripped apart by scandals involving the salary cap and a rape allegation during a pre-season game in Coffs Harbour.
Then as chief executive at Manly, he was the man in the middle between two at-odds owners, yet somehow guided the club to a grand final and then a premiership.
Even as fill-in at the Tigers, he has dealt with the biggest story in the club's history - the impending departure of superstar Benji Marshall.
Marshall's release from the final two years of his contract pushed along a rebuild which was kick-started by Tim Sheens' sacking last year - but Mayer can see the light at the end of the tunnel - that being a grand final appearance in 2016.
It's all part of Mayer's grand plan - top eight next season, top four in 2015 and the big one the year after that.
"I think we're on the cusp of that," Mayer told AAP of reaching the finals in 2014.
"Our fans need to be patient.
"I'm sure our coaching department would love to see top eight, but when you've got young men running around against bigger, older bodies, sometimes it's a challenge.
"I'm trying to be as realistic as possible about that.
"I think to come out and make a bold statement that we're going to win the competition in 2014 is the wrong step to make.
"I think we start to turn things around well and truly in 2015 and beyond. A grand final is not beyond us in 2016."
Forming the basis of that belief is the batch of youngsters coming through which is the envy of the league.
The likes of James Tedesco and Curtis Sironen have already graduated to the top grade, while others such as Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses aren't considered too far behind.
The presence of the latter two has softened the blow of Marshall's departure, with Brooks and Moses considered the Tigers' halves pairing for the next decade.
But Mayer is fully aware that replacing Marshall - who for so long has symbolised the Tigers brand - will require much more than simply putting someone in the No.6 jumper he has come to own.
"To replace Benji Marshall's a tough one - he's been a superstar for this club," Mayer said.
"I'm really hopeful that in amongst the kids, there's going to be Benji-like material coming through.
"Benji's a hard one to replace but we're pretty confident we've got some good ones coming through."
AAP
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