The good news is that Shane Watson has found fitness and form. The bad is that it wasn't enough to propel NSW to victory at the SCG.
The Blues had to settle for second just as they did in last year's one-day tournament, beaten comfortably by Western Australia in the final of the Matador Cup.
The visitors, meanwhile, claimed a first title of any description for 10 years - and probably a healthy supply of spatulas for the barbecue - with a 64-run win clinched by two stunning catches by Nathan Coulter-Nile.
They might be the 'Alcohol Think Again Warriors' but after breaking a trophy drought this long, you could imagine there might have been a slight deviation from that policy for Justin Langer and his men on Sunday night.
The Blues were bowled out for 191, well short of the target set for them and while they had been coasting along while Watson was in his stride, their challenge faded quickly upon his exit.
Watson again didn't bowl but as Australia were scorching in the desert over in Dubai the notable Test absentee enjoyed more pleasant conditions in his second game back from injury for NSW. Watson ran - and swung - freely in an innings of 83 from 100 balls.
He will rejoin the Australian set-up this week not in the UAE but in Adelaide ahead of the Twenty20 and then one-day series against South Africa and plans to bowl then. As he sets his sights on the summer's Test campaign against India, and then the World Cup, he could be pleased about just about everything here but the result.
"I felt more comfortable out there and felt like the things I've been working on are coming together well," Watson said.
"After coming off no cricket for a while it's nice to be able to get through today with a sandy outfield as well, it was always going to be a good test of where I was at. I'll probably start to step up my bowling this week coming up to get ready for the Twenty20s."
The Warriors scored what turned a very adequate 6-255 thanks in large part to Michael Klinger's 96, but they were dealt a blow when left-arm quick Joel Paris pulled up lame, holding his quad, in only his second over.
He left the ground immediately and did not return and while Adam Voges, stepping up to finish the over, used the change of pace to deceive opposing captain Peter Nevill with the very next ball, Watson set the Blues back on course in a 115-run stand with young Kurtis Patterson (44).
Watson had been inches away from being caught at backward point by Ashton Turner before he had scored but with that setback averted it was another good hit-out for the returning all-rounder.
There were a smattering of drives to the straight boundary, the trademark thrust of the front foot there in all its glory, and he dropped down on one knee to club Nathan Rimmington through the covers.
His Ashes teammate from England last year, Ashton Agar, wasn't spared either, dispatched twice to the Members Stand as Watson wound up.
The 21-year-old spinner would have the last laugh in that personal duel, however, denying Watson a hundred when he slashed at Agar and delivered a faint edge to wicketkeeper Sam Whiteman.
Agar's robust celebration indicated he knew that could well be the moment that turned the final and he was right.
