ORANGE Emus coach Andrew Logan hopes 2014 is the year his troops shake their underachievers tag.
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Despite having one of the most potent attacking teams on paper in 2013, Emus were plagued by inconsistency during the Blowes Clothing Cup, earning the 2013 wooden spoon.
In 2014, Logan said he wants his players to reach their potential, and play the ruthless brand of rugby the greens were known for at the turn of the century.
Apart from that, the former Australian Sevens manager has just two goals - qualify for the finals, and bring the Blowes Clothing Cup back to the Emus' nest.
"If you're not in it to win a premiership you shouldn't be out there," he said.
"First we need to put ourselves in a position to contest the business end of the year."
Emus start the season with two road trips to Bathurst, playing Bulldogs in round one and CSU in round two.
With a strong pre-season under their belt, Logan is hoping his troops can convert the positive signs on the training paddock into wins.
Despite losing seven games by a converted try or less in 2013, Logan said his team proved they can mix it with the best.
"We beat [Dubbo] 'Roos twice, and Bulldogs twice," he said.
"We lost to [grand finalists] Parkes by two points as well. If we had the focus to finish off a few of those seven games we would have made the five, not finished last."
Logan lamented what could have been in 2013, before saying his players had learned a valuable lesson from the failed season.
Emus have recruited well, welcoming back former stars Nick Hughes-Clapp, who has spent several seasons flying high in line-outs for the Warringah Rats, and Nick Tarleton.
Former CSU, Central West and NSW Country colts fly-half Sam Ryan will also don the emerald green, and adds further strike power to an already elusive backline.