Rovers Premier League captain Ethan Dowling believes the squad at his disposal will become the first Macleay side to compete in the finals series this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Rovers were building over the first two seasons of the Mid North Coast league, as they fielded a balance of experienced and junior players.
This lead to the Rovers finishing in eighth and sixth as the side showed improvements last year but were hampered by a slow start.
Dowling claims the time has come for the younger players to stamp their authority on the team and help lead them towards success.
"Half our side is 18 or younger but they all have experience playing in the Premier League," Dowling told the Argus.
"We blooded them over the last two years so now they know what to expect and they shouldn't have any nerves.
"They play in lots of representative teams and are involved in cricket year round. Hopefully they can find form and push us older guys out of the team."
The Rovers also have the benefit of continuity as they aren't losing any players but they will gain Jarrod Prosper, who was injured halfway through last year's season.
Dowling said the depth of Rovers' batting line up will put them in a position to reach the top four.
"We have a lot of all-rounders in the team. There's no one who can't hold a stick," he said.
"We bat all the way down the order and that's a massive bonus in this format."
While Rovers' strength is arguably their batting line up, Dowling said the bowling attack shouldn't be taken lightly.
"Matt Scott and young Harry Nemme will open the bowling, Jackson Korn, who bowls fast-medium and Lachlie Dowling, who bowls spin, will then come into the attack," he said.
"I rate the bowling attack, they are pretty handy with the ball. They found their form at the backend of the season and started taking a lot of wickets and we were bowling other teams out.
"A lot of that was because we were getting better in the field too. Early on we had a lot of missed chances which compounded the pressure on us.
"Hopefully we can carry that into the start of this season."
Dowling admits the team will need to get on the front foot early in the competition.
"We have had rough starts the last two years and that has cost us towards the end when we were fighting for a finals spot," Dowling said.
"We need to start a bit better and finish stronger and we will be in contention."
The Premier League season begins on October 12.
Stay ahead with local news by signing up for the Macleay Argus newsletter here.
Also making the news:
