Last winter, the club finished in last place without a victory but a fresh coaching direction, some new blood from the premiership-winning under 18s and a drive for success has them much more optimistic in 2017.

New president Corey Osborne said he was looking forward to seeing how the squad perform as the club celebrate a landmark 60^th season.

They have retained almost all players and Osborne believes the talent coming through the grades will match in nicely with their more experienced men.

“We are building towards the season. We haven’t had any major changes,” he said.

“We haven’t signed anyone but we have’t lost anyone either so it’s basically the same squad as last year but with some guys coming in from 18s.

“The kids are coming through so there is plenty to be excited about there.”

There could be some late recruitment for the club, though, with Osborne and new first grade coach Chris Rhodes keeping an eye on what is happening in Sydney – most recently, the club has picked up players like Adnan Saleh, Jamie Clark and five-eighth Taf Nicolas with a similar recruitment strategy, leading to a grand final victory in 2012.

“We wanted to consolidate our locals first. We will wait until the Sydney teams start to cut some of their guys and see if there is anyone who interests us,” Osborne said.

“I wouldn’t be worried if we went into the season with the squad we have now but if someone came along that was right, I would welcome them.”

The squad has already been training hard, beginning during the heat in January and Osborne said while the players hadn’t enjoyed the training, it should have them in perfect shape when the season get underway.

There was also plenty to be pleased about in the lower grades, with a good turnout for the under 18s and women’s league tag, Osborne said.

Earning a spot in the top five would make it a successful season, the president said, with a chance for more success if they could achieve that.

“We will certainly be competitive and we want to be part of the semi-finals, if you can achieve that, anything can happen as Mudgee proved last year,” he said.

And Osborne said he expected last year’s premiers to be among the teams who will be there in August, as well as Bathurst and Orange CYMS.

“Panthers, CYMS and Mudgee are shaping as the teams to beat,” he said.

“Panthers had a strong squad already but they have gone out hard and recruited well so I expect them to be a force.”