Pre-season signs looked dire for the Glen Innes Magpies as they prepared for the new Group 19 season.
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They begin their campaign at home this Sunday against Narwan Eels.
A-GRADE:
A lack of players for A-grade signaled they might not take the field but the troops rallied and pulled together enough numbers to field a team.
They have had numbers turn up to training in recent weeks and captain and co-coach Nick Say, who will share the role with Guy Mepham this year, said it signs are encouraging.
"It has been a bit of a struggle all year but the last couple of weeks it has improved so it looks promising anyway," he said.
"It is looking pretty good from what I can see.
"We have got plenty of numbers at the moment, which is good, but we are always open for more to turn up if they would like to."
The Magpies A-grade team made the grand final in 2018 before missing out on the title to the Moree Boomerangs.
A host of players from the runners-up side have returned, along with some new recruits.
"We will have enough for a full team and a bench, a few new faces which is exciting," Say said.
"Pretty similar to last year, a few fellas aren't playing but other than that there is a pretty good core group of fellas from last year.
"We should be pretty competitive anyway.
"We just have to put the last couple of months in the past and work from now on really because we have a few blokes turning up."
As for their opponents, Say isn't sure how they will line-up but is expecting a battle.
"I haven't heard anything about Narwan but I haven't heard anything about anyone to be honest," he said.
"It is always hard, the first few games, they are always tough because you have to get in the swing of it.
"It doesn't matter who they have got playing, they are always hard to play."
LEAGUE TAG:
The Magpies league tag team missed out on a grand final win last year but are ready to make an impact in 2019.
Andrew Hodgson takes over from David Willis as coach and said numbers are strong.
"We have got five young ones who have come up from minor league this year and we have a couple from last year and the year before so it is a pretty handy side," he said.
"Got a good mixture there so I am looking forward to it.
"I have had good numbers at training, I had 16 last night [Tuesday] and double figures most nights."
Last season saw low scoring games throughout the year and Hodgson is expecting it to be similar again.
"Mainly just our defence, I have done a lot on defence," he said.
"Just getting back to the basics.
"Hopefully I will work out some combinations."
UNDER 18s:
Gavin Peterson returns as the Magpies under 18s mentor but admitted he isn't sure how they will line up this Sunday.
They will play Tingha who are in second division for the first time but their under 18s will be following Narwan's draw in first division.
Peterson said it has been a struggle to get numbers to training but expects things to come together as the season progresses.
"We will get a side together but numbers are low," he said.
"I think we will get a good little squad but we have been struggling to get numbers at training, just things haven't been lining up."
A host of last year's team have graduated out of the under 18 division but Peterson said there are still some handy players who have one year left.
"We have obtained a number of guys from last year's squad that are second year players back," he said.
"Our backs are looking good.
"Our forwards are a bit light on but we will just play our game accordingly.
"I think that will be our game plan, just to use the ball a bit."
Tingha's under 16s and under 18s made the grand final in their respective divisions last season and Peterson is expecting a tough opening round.
"I imagine they will be pretty strong," he said.
"They were in the grand final last year, their 16s were in the grand final last year as well so we are expecting them to be a handy side."
After the games, the Magpies will head to the Services club for their annual jersey auction and everyone is encouraged to attend.