But the first-year Super Rugby mentor will avoid targeting "rockstar" signing options and instead use the core of his group to return to the finals in 2019.

The Brumbies finished their season with a bang on Saturday night, trampling the finals-bound NSW Waratahs in an attacking masterclass in Sydney.

It was the sort of performance the Brumbies had been searching for all year, but it came too late for them to secure a play-off berth for the sixth consecutive year.

The early end to their season means McKellar has already turned his attention to the coming years and which players he needs to add to make the roster a championship side.

Christian Lealiifano will likely make a decision on his future by the end of the month, rookie hooker Connal McInerney is set to be rewarded with a contract and the Brumbies are also searching for more backs.

"When I think of recruitment, I want guys with skill. Guys who can play footy," McKellar said.

"We can't be bringing guys in who are just good athletes that play OK. If we're going to promote skill, we need guys who can do that.

"There are a couple of guys we're talking to in the background ... recruitment is tough these days. What do the Brumbies do? We develop players. [Guys like] Tom Banks.

"It's not about going out there and finding a rockstar, it's about finding the guys we think can develop."

The Brumbies beat the Waratahs 40-31 to leave a lasting impression for next year, but it fell short of what they needed to be a finals contender.

The Brumbies needed to beat the Waratahs by three tries or more, but in the end it didn't matter because the Melbourne Rebels got a bonus point in New Zealand and the Durban Sharks

won in South Africa.

So the future is the only thing they can focus on and the Brumbies will reduce their squad from 39 to 36 players next year, with 10 leaving after the loss to the Waratahs.

Isi Naisarani will join the Melbourne Rebels, Kyle Godwin is moving to Ireland and Richie Arnold to Japan while Robbie Abel, Faalelei Sione and Andrew Smith are also departing.

Canterbury Crusaders back-rower Pete Samu will fill the void left by Naisarani, but the Brumbies need to add depth to their playmaker stocks.

Lealiifano is weighing up his options and the Brumbies are hopeful he will commit to one more season in Super Rugby

The good news is the Brumbies uncovered some gems this year, despite missing the play-offs for the first time since 2012.

Hooker Folau Faingaa was thrust into a starting role when injury ended Josh Mann-Rea's season in March, and the rookie rake is on the cusp of a Wallabies call up.

Mann-Rea's injury also opened the door for McInerney to be plucked from club rugby, and he is set to get a full-time contract for next year.

Andy Muirhead got his opportunity on the wing and didn't disappoint, Tom Banks lifted to a new level and will be included in the Wallabies squad and some key players have another year of experience.

David Pocock was outstanding in his return from an Australian rugby sabbatical, Henry Speight and Tevita Kuridrani found their feet at the end of the season and Lealiifano also came into his own.

Speight left Allianz Stadium on crutches, but it's unclear if the injury will affect a short-term deal to link with Irish club Ulster in the Super Rugby off-season.

Naisarani is wearing a moon boot after suffering suspected ankle ligament damage and Kuridrani, who will almost certainly win back his Wallabies No. 13 jersey, is nursing a sore shoulder after a bruising win against the Waratahs.