Success and failure in the NRL rarely happens by accident.
Over the past decade, consistent clubs share common strengths, while struggling teams repeat the same mistakes.
Take the Melbourne Storm for example; they've enjoyed front office and coaching stability under Frank Ponissi and Craig Bellamy who drive a culture of excellence.
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It's not necessarily the players that make Melbourne so strong, it's the system that keeps delivering results.
The Panthers highlight another ingredient: junior development and pathways. Their Western Sydney nursery has produced enough homegrown talent to sustain a four-year dynasty.
Their steady stream of youngsters keeps costs balanced as several high-profile stars head for the exit after each season.
Whilst results have varied in recent years, the Roosters were a dominant force throughout the 2010s because of their demonstrated ability to recruit well.
As a glamour club, they're able to consistently attract elite players, but their real trademark of success has been their eye for undervalued talent.
That's why it never seems like the Roosters are rebuilding - because they're not. Their identification of market inefficiencies allow them to refresh the roster without tearing it down completely.
From an on-field perspective, a consistent through line of the best teams is that they prioritise defence. The top clubs concede far fewer points.
Since 2016, the average difference between the top-four sides and bottom-four sides in points scored is 138.33 points.
However, in that same timeframe, the average difference between the top-four sides and bottom-four sides in points allowed is 157.4 points.
These figures represent a 13.8 per cent gulf and demonstrates how the lesser clubs are far more comparable to the best clubs in attack, than they are in defence.
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The Wests Tigers are the clearest case study of a team that hasn't been able to get out of its own way for the last decade.
They've cycled through coaches, struggled to retain talent, and lacked a consistent presence in key positions.
The Knights tell a similar story. Despite a proud history, instability and cap mismanagement have eroded their competitiveness. They've failed to convert juniors into long-term first graders and have yet another wooden spoon to show for it.
To offer an example of how struggling clubs can change their fortunes, the Bulldogs have laid out the blueprint so far in the Gould-Ciraldo era.
After years near the bottom of the ladder, they've rebuilt the club with a clear direction. Targeting undervalued names on the market along with strong defence has underpinned their turnaround.
The salary cap is meant to equalise the competition. Yet clubs that maximise value - by making shrewd contract calls - gain a huge advantage.
The top-team's foresight to extend players early on below-market deals, creates a two-way street of loyalty between the player and the club. Others overpay for short-term fixes and suffer because of it.
In summary, successful NRL clubs invest in their juniors, maintain strong leadership and prioritise a defensive-focused philosophy. Those who fail often neglect these pillars.