The final days of Shipperd’s tenure were marked by awkward symbolism and internal tension.

As play unfolded against Western Australia earlier this week, Cricket NSW board members began arriving at Cricket Central for a meeting that would formalise Haddin’s appointment.

At the same time, Shipperd was staging a pointed farewell of his own.

On Monday night, he carried the one-day trophy out of the NSW coaches room, intending to use it as a prop in his final address to players the next day. Coincidentally, he walked past the boardroom where Haddin was pitching his final case.

“I didn’t see Greg parading the trophy around,” Germon said on Wednesday.

The following day, Shipperd placed the trophy on a green stool in the middle of the NSW dressing room before delivering an emotional send-off speech after a tense draw. It was a gesture aimed at the administrators who had speared him.

Privately, however, many within CNSW are ready to move on. Some weren’t impressed with Shipperd’s antics.

Since Shipperd took on the Blues role full-time in 2023, NSW have finished third, fourth and fifth in the six-team Sheffield Shield, while placing second, third and first in the one-day competition.

His tenure with the Sixers was more decorated: two titles and nine finals appearances in 11 seasons and 145 matches.

While play was still in progress on Tuesday, assistants Ali de Winter and Shawn Bradstreet were informed by head of cricket Greg Mail that they would not be retained next season.

Haddin is expected to assemble a new support staff, including former NSW players Peter Forrest and Dan Smith, while discussions are ongoing with a former Test fast bowler.

The handling of the assistants’ departures drew criticism from former NSW spinner Stephen O’Keefe, who labelled the timing “brutal”.

“It’s very difficult to find a perfect time to have these conversations,” Germon said. “I can understand that perspective.”

Pressed on whether he regretted either the public messaging around Shipperd’s exit or the decision to extend his tenure on a two-year deal in June last year, Germon was unequivocal.

“No regret at all. I think the line was about sustainable success and challenging for titles over time, and of course winning titles,” Germon said. “We’ve got into some positions where we could have won and haven’t crossed the line.”

Haddin’s priority is clear: produce more Australian Test players and restore NSW’s standing as the country’s premier talent factory.

Since 2016, only two Blues – Kurtis Patterson and Sam Konstas – have made their debuts in Test cricket.

“I’m under no illusions that I’ve got to start to produce some Australian players,” Haddin said. “I actually don’t think they know how good they are yet, and that’s what excites me. I don’t want to put a ceiling on some of these kids.

“If I didn’t come back now, I don’t think I ever would. This is where I think I can make the biggest influence.”

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Germon acknowledged the Blues have underperformed relative to their resources, with two Sheffield Shield titles in the past 17 seasons despite drawing from the country’s largest talent pools.

He said NSW produces about 40 per cent of Australia’s underage representatives, but too few have made the leap to international level. NSW has been well represented in Australia A teams, however.

“I don’t think we’ve probably done that as well as we should have,” Germon said.

“[Brad is] a coach I believe will galvanise our cricket family around NSW.”

As Shipperd considers his legal options – he believes he is entitled to a payout – the Haddin era is underway. Expectations are high, standards will tighten and players have been warned to brace for a new style from a coach who is jetting off to the IPL on Thursday.

“What’s been surprising since my name was floated for this job is the connection from the past players, supporters of grade cricket and the players in the squad,” Haddin said. “I’ve had a lot of nice messages from players in the squad.”