They also felt the loss of key players, like Albert Vete, David Bhana and Siliva Havili, who spent long periods in the New South Wales Cup as part of the club's new development strategy.
The 2013-model have come right at the right time, blasting through the finals with three away victories and scoring 112 points in their last two games. The late blooming might vindicate both Ackland and Elliott. Ackland always maintained his team would prosper when he got all his players back, while the likes of Vete and Bhana have returned improved to the Holden Cup.
Only 10 per cent of NYC players graduate to the NRL, which makes today's match more important.
"For many of them, today will be the biggest football event in their lives," says Warriors general manager football operations Dean Bell. "The most important thing is to play the game, not the occasion."
Graduates from this team, like 2010 (Shaun Johnson and Elijah Taylor) and 2011 (Ben Henry and Konrad Hurrell) will be assessed over coming years. There is always the chance some might elude their grasp, like Peta Hiku last year, but Bell believes they have made the right decisions.
A clutch of players have been promoted to the wider NRL squad for 2014, including Bhana, Havilli, Vete, Ray Faitala-Mariner and David Fusitua.
"Winning grand finals is a massive boost but the ultimate goal of the NYC team is to prepare players for first grade," says Bell.
There is an eerie sense of symmetry around opponents Penrith today. During his seven years at the Warriors Ivan Cleary, along with Tony Iro and Ackland, put in place the systems that provided a conveyor belt of talent to the senior team.
Now at the Panthers, with a junior talent base said to be the biggest in the NRL, Cleary is working the same magic.
"We knew Ivan's abilities in that area and that was one of the reasons we chased him," Penrith General Manager Phil Gould told the Herald on Sunday earlier this year. "It is one of his greatest strengths as a coach."
Despite the pool of talent the Panthers NYC side had only made the playoffs on two previous occasions and had never won a finals match. Things have turned.
Two years into Cleary's watch Penrith already look like a development club, with their NRL side full of potential despite a relatively modest roster. The jury is still out on Elliott's abilities in that area; much needs to be proved in 2014.
The junior Panthers have been arguably the most consistent side in the competition and will be a formidable test. Bryce Cartwright has been a standout among a strong pack and they also boast dangerous outside backs.
Like most grand finals, defence will be the difference. The Warriors' attack is undisputed but their attitude and work ethic without possession will determine their fate.
