They're the most consistent team in the NRL for the past three years but Friday's preliminary final defeat has left the Sydney Roosters with little to show for their dominance.
The 31-12 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium means three consecutive minor premierships have ended in just a solitary grand final appearance in 2013 which they won.
It's that feeling of unfinished business which made falling short particularly hard to take for Roosters players and staff.
"That's the only way to put it, we haven't finished the job in the last couple of years," backrower Aidan Guerra told AAP.
"It's disappointing ... but we've got a good group of guys here and we'll be holding our heads up high."
However the Roosters respond they'll be aiming to go a step better next year without two of their key players.
Dynamic fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is heading across the Tasman to the Warriors while five-eighth James Maloney will move south to join Cronulla.
Tuivasa-Sheck has been a revelation in 2015, claiming over 5500 running metres in the season.
Maloney's importance also cannot be overstated, especially with halfback Mitchell Pearce missing a big chunk of the back end of the year due to a hamstring injury.
Guerra admits the pair will be missed.
"Rog and Jimmy were very important to us this year," he said.
"It's quite clear we'll have to move on. We'll have to change the way we play a little bit and evolve with the game.
"They'll be sorely missed but we've got seven weeks off before we have to worry about that."
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