But, there’s no mistaking the Muswellbrook Eagles Football Club will undergo a “rebuilding year” in 2018.

A number of factors cruelled the organisation from making its mark last season, however co-coaches Hayden Nicol and Max Nudd remain confident of fielding a competitive unit come kick-off time.

“To be honest, we want to forget 2017,” Nudd said.

“We had a lot of new players at the club; and it took a while to gel.

“But, we finished very strongly.

“And, we’re hoping to build on that in 2018.

“Shift work has a big effect on us, too,” Nicol added.

“I guess that’s the same for many sporting groups in town.

“Guys hate to commit [to the side] if they’re missing every second week.”

At the moment, the Eagles have 14 players on the books – and need a minimum of 20 to contest the Zone League 2 competition, which takes in the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. 

“We’re eager to pick up some more blokes in the coming weeks,” Nicol said.

“Unfortunately, we’ve lost a few youngsters [in the off-season].

“However, it does provide us with an opportunity to restructure the club.

“We need to get some numbers back; and work with the junior teams a bit more.

“Most of the boys [here] have come through the ranks.

“The Eagles will field under-9, under-10, under-11 and under-12 sides this season – that’s a positive sign.

“So, it’s important to try and keep the kids at the club.

“Not having those foundations [in the past] has probably impacted us [now], too. 

“We’ve also run a six-a-side summer competition, which has been strong the past few years.

“It’s a great way of introducing people to the sport.” 

If anyone is interested in having a run with Muswellbrook FC, head to Victoria Park on Thursday from 6pm.

The club will then revert to two sessions a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) when the current six-a-side summer format wraps up.