Gus Brotherton, Sam Powell, Josh Tremain, Michael Sparks and Nick Quinn all starred for the Lions in 2014 - and in the back-to-back undefeated premiership wins in 2012 and 2013 - but have left Pride Park for greener pastures, leaving a substantial hole in Orange City’s top grade.

Gray said today’s trials against the Pirates, kicking off at 3.30pm and 5pm at Pride Park, is a chance for a new era of Lions stars to prove themselves.

“It really is just a game of footy for the boys,” Gray said.

“We’ve had everyone playing for us at training at different times during the pre-season, so we’ll start looking at some combinations.

“For instance Sam Coote is back with us this season, and we’re giving him a run at five-eighth. We’ll also look at several younger guys to step up.”

Gray nominated diminutive halfback Tom Nell, who already has plenty of Blowes Clothing Cup experience, as one player who will come into the fold.

Winger Tom Fisher, and No.8-come-prop Logan Brockmann played for NSW Country Colts last weekend and are also expected to move into the top grade.

Orange City’s colts and third graders will combine in the first trial game today, against a combination of the Pirates’ lower division colts teams, before the Lions’ first and second graders will combine against West Harbour’s - where Gray was general manager for five years - colts first and second XVs.

“It will be something like that anyway,” Gray said.

“They’re bringing a 43-man squad, so our guys might get a bit of a wake up call with the standard.

“West Harbour always have a lot of Islander boys, so they’ll be big. It will be a good, hard hit out for us.”

The lower grades trial from 3.30pm onward, before the main game - played in four 20-minutes quarters - at 5pm.

Molong Magpies kick off their pre-season this weekend as well. 

The 2013 and 2014 GrainCorp Cup Southern division champions head to the prestigious Kiama Sevens.