Bradford Bulls' barnstorming end to the regular season would have been a perfect way to go into the play-offs, but it seems that the Odsal outfit have left things too late.
After enduring the most inconsistent season of any team in Super League, which has seen them defeat the league leaders on their own patch and lose to the basement boys at home, Bradford must now look to 2010 to launch a renewed quest for the title.
A play-off place is still possible if results go the Bulls' way, but for now McNamara's men are likely to rue the missed opportunities that have permeated Super League XIV.
August began with a home reversal against Harlequins which saw many of the handling errors which have contributed to Bradford's 2009 misery rear their head again.
Sykes, Nero and Tadulala each crossed over for the Odsal side as the southerners seemed to be acclimatising, but Quins' David Howell proved to be the tormentor as his two expertly-taken touchdowns capped off a fine performance and a 22-14 win for the visitors.
Revenge was swift and sweet for Bradford, however, as they made the trip to the Twickenham Stoop just a week later to gain a measure of retribution.