The Diesels have undergone plenty of changes from the side who finished with the wooden spoon in the shortened Group Nine season last year.

However with a new coaching structure, a new-look committee and some new faces president David Holt is optimistic for the season ahead.

"We're looking good and we are looking competitive," Holt said.

"We do have numbers with the amount of players who have shown up in the pre-season, even if they are not all here on the one night, so we are going alright.

"I'm definitely confident we will have the two sides in the seniors, plus the 18s and the girls."

With Simon Wilson and Haydn Cowled replacing the departed Trent Schubach as coach Holt expects to see a new style from the club this season.

Especially as their forward pack continues to grow.

"There are a few new players who have come into the town and have joined the Diesels," Holt said.

"It is good to see."

Among them is Luke Farmer, who was part of the Griffith Waratahs line up who lost to Darlington Point Coleambally in the most recent Group 20 grand final.

With Dakota Ruta shifting to Kangaroos, and Sam Elwin returning to Temora, Holt believes Farmer will give the club another option in the playmaking roles.

"He's definitely an asset," Holt said. "Farmer will bring a lot to the club.

"We needed an extra pivot and with a couple of good forwards we've signed we're looking competitive across the park."

While getting more numbers at training is the goal, Holt is pleased with how many girls are interested in playing leaguetag, with consistently high numbers coming to training.

Especially after another winless season.

"They've joined us right through the pre-season," Holt said.

"There have been 10 to a dozen to every training run and they are keen."

Group Nine have confirmed their full home and away draw for the season.

The Diesels kick start their campaign against Temora at Nixon Park on Sunday, April 11.

In other round one games Tumut hosts Gundagai at Twickenham on Saturday, April 10 while Kangaroos and Brothers will do battle at Equex Centre on the same day.

Young travelling to Greenfield Park to face Albury on April 11 completes the first round fixtures with Southcity having the bye.

READ MORE