Depth, or a lack thereof.
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Together with a shortage of experienced campaigners that was major factor in Orange City languishing in the Blowes Clothing Cup's doldrums in 2018 but, based on the opening month of the Lions' pre-season, the club already looks to have gone a long way to rectifying that issue.
New top grade coach Viv Paasi, who's returned to the club from Newcastle Wanderers, confirmed he's welcomed consistently strong numbers in the initial, four-week block of the pre-season, an encouraging, positive first step in their rebuild.
"Numbers have been good for both the men and women and it's good to see the skill base lifting as we go along, we've only really just started adding a bit of contact in but we're getting there," Paasi said.
The Lions' pre-season will ramp up in the next few weeks too, as they once again roll through their traditional block of trial games.
As per the last couple of years Orange City will take on Southern Beaches Newcastle in their first trial of the season on Saturday, March 9, before hosting their annual Invitational 10s tournament the week after.
"We'll be fielding a colts side and an open side in the 10s this year, and there'll be plenty of other guys floating around in the [composite] sides that are playing as well, so that'll be a good chance to get some miles in the legs and a bit of extra fitness," Paasi said.
The Lions are expected to play a third trial too, the weekend after the 10s, with Macquarie University a potential opponent but that remains to be confirmed.
On the junior front the Lion cubs' pre-season began at Pride Park on Wednesday night, while the club will host a come and try day on Friday, March 29 from 6pm as well.
Paasi will actually play a hand in the juniors' development too, with the Lions moving more toward a holistic approach in terms of coaching in 2019.
He was on hand for the club's registration and meet the coaches day last week, explaining his involvement will largely be about streamlining the coaching processes and also creating more of a connection between the club's juniors and seniors.
One big focus is ensuring the retention of players between under 17s, the eldest junior age group, and colts, the first of the senior grades, which in the current age remains somewhat of an issue for all of Central West Rugby Union's clubs.
Fortunately the Lions are coming off a premiership, and aren't expected to have any trouble fielding a side in that division.
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