"We are past the stage where we need mass numbers. We have a squad that is good, but we need some quality.

"Newcastle has been blessed by having quality players, whether it be Joel Griffiths, Nick Carle, Paul Okon or Ned Zelic.

"We need a couple of those type of players in key positions down the spine. If we can get that we will be capable of challenging for a championship next year."

One player who won't be back is marquee player Fabio Vignaroli.

The Italian is home in Italy recovering from a knee reconstruction after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in round 18.

"I think Fabio is history," Culina said.

"At his age, he has had major surgery.

"I'm not sure if the club is able to meet Fabio's requirements, especially not knowing how he is going to recover.

"You'd love to have a player like Fabio. The reality of it is that I don't think it will happen."

In fact, Culina is not sold on the concept of a marquee player.

"The ones we have been getting are not true marquee players," he said.

"The marquee requirement is on and off the park. The kind of money we are able to offer, we won't get that.

"We need two or three quality players down the spine who will give us the extra edge to go to the next level.

"I don't care where the players come from.

"It's not who they are or where they come from that matters.

"We know that some places work better than other because of the language barrier, the culture and so forth.

"The important thing is to be able to build on what is already good at the club."

While the competitive nature in Culina has led to frustration at not winning the championship, there is no doubt the positives of the season far outweigh the negatives.

Wooden-spooners last season, the Jets climbed to sixth place and were in reach of the top two with four rounds remaining.

They then bumped hot shots Gold Coast out of the finals and went to extra time against the Phoenix.

"If someone said at the start of the season we would be in the last four teams, I would have said, 'Yeah sure, tell me another one,' " Culina said.

"You have to be satisfied with that and pleased for the players."

And it was done to a large extent without a marquee, without Joel Griffiths and without Michael Bridges.

"Fabio's injury was a real killer blow," Culina said. "Then later Michael had two injury periods and arrived late as well.

"You can't get more experienced than Fabio and Michael.

"It is a small miracle that we got to where we did."

But what it did do was provide an opportunity for others to emerge.

Jobe Wheelhouse, Adam D'Apuzzo and Ali Abbas stood out.

"There were many positives from a playing point of view, but more importantly as a squad we showed we had tremendous character," Culina said.

"Ben Kennedy was a huge positive. We know Neil Young did superbly, but BK got a couple of years experience in one year.

"Jobe Wheelhouse's performance . . . when I first came to the club he was a squad player and everyone told him he would always be a squad player. It is a credit to him that he has responded and become almost a key player.

"Other players were not really highly regarded but came through well.

"Ali Abbas, when we brought him over he was an injury replacement player. Labinot Haliti proved early on when he was fresh he had a lot to offer.

"Michael Bridges, as long as he stays injury free, is going to be a big plus.

"Adam D'Apuzzo had a terrific year in both defence and in midfield.

"Matt Thompson was outstanding once we moved him into midfield. We did Melbourne Heart a favour identifying a true role for him.

"As individuals for parts of the season Ljubo and Nikolai were terrific, but what we didn't quite get right was the chemistry. We need to address that.

"The maturity of the players in the way they picked themselves up at difficult times was another positive. There were three times during the year where we truly down and out and as a team and as a club we showed we have what it takes.

"It has also been a discovery for me.

"There are one or two players who need to lift as well. Some young players in particular need to be a bit more ambitious, goal driven and responsible."

Culina has a year to run on his contract. His desire is as strong as ever, but he wants to meet with owner Con Constantine and management before committing again.

"The intention at the moment is to stay," he said. "I'm contracted for another year but I still want to sit down with the club and the players and make sure we are on the right track.

"This was one of the hardest seasons I've had as a coach for a long time.

"I came on board as coach three weeks before the season kicked off. I was lucky there was a lot of good people around me which made my job easier.

"We need to reassess the set-up and work out how we can take it to the next level. It is a tough time in Australian football, financially. Therefore you have to be sensible.

"But I don't want to go through another stage of rebuilding.

"We have to have the same goal."