The Bulls achieved a first in Group Three that day by winning the triple crown - the under 18, reserve and first grade premierships. No club has done so before or since.

However, the years that followed have been lean for the Bulls. Taree finished with the wooden spoon in 2008, 2011 and again this year. In 2009 the Bulls couldn't even field first or reserve grade teams.

New first grade coach Paul Northam has been with the Bulls in one capacity or another since the club was formed in 1998. He was an advisor to first grade captain-coaches Wise Kativerata in 2010 and Daniel Dumas in 2012. Now he wants to help turn things around.

Northam and Todd Bridge were named co-coaches for 2015 this week. Bridge, who didn't play this year, will captain the side.

"It's a new challenge,'' Northam, 45 agreed.

He's already been active in chasing players.

"I'm speaking to a couple of outside backs tonight,'' he said on Wednesday.

"They seem keen. And there's a few ex-players who have said they want to return, so things are starting to look okay.''

Northam believes there's a wealth of talent already at the club.

"We've had a young team so we've lacked a bit of experience,'' he said.

"But having Todd back will be a big help there - he'll guide them around the field.''

Northam says the majority of this year's roster will be back in 2015 although group representative Tim Alliston will be a major loss. Alliston is heading overseas.

"The club has been rebuilding for the last couple of years,'' Northam added.

While the Bulls finished last they were far from cannon fodder in 2014. Had they turned a number of halftime leads into victories they would have been in line for a top five berth. Northam said there seems a genuine desire within the playing group to make the Bulls a powerhouse in Group Three again.

"Some of the players already want to starting pre-season training with Des Raward,'' he revealed.

"That's not something I've pushed. They want to do it themselves.''

Official training won't get underway until January 13.

"We'll train once a week for three weeks and then start an eight week program,'' he said.

While it's early days Northam said he won't worry too much about organising trial games, instead concentrating on the pre-season, assuming Group Three plays one next year.

"That gives you at least two games and that's enough,'' he said.

Northam's three sons, Zac, Todd and Josh will be starting next year. Todd, a fullback, broke his leg early last season but Northam assures he's back running and will be 100 percent come the 2015 kickoff.

Phil Adamson, who coached the Bulls for the past two seasons, will take over the reins of the under 18 side next year.

"I didn't know that until I read it in the paper today,'' Northam admitted.

"But it's good to have Phil still involved. Surely between the lot of us we can get something going.''

The Bulls will wear a new strip next year.

Northam hopes this will coincide with the start of a new successful era for the club.