DESPITE some ordinary attendances at training sessions, the Manning River Ratz will be definite starters in this season's Lower North Coast Rugby Union competition.
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The Ratz have been grand finalists for the past two seasons, beaten both times by Forster-Tuncurry.
However, club secretary Dave Rush admits numbers at training have so far been underwhelming. He assures it's not a lack of players, just commitment.
"We have the numbers - it's just that they're not all getting there at the same time,'' Mr Rush said.
He added that the Ratz will be ready for the start of the new season on Saturday April 11.
He expects the majority of last season's roster to turn out again, although centre Wayne Paulson played with Old Bar in the opening round of the Group Three Rugby League pre-season competition on Saturday while Ben Northam turned out in a reserve grade trial with the Taree City Bulls a fortnight ago.
Stalwarts from 2014 including captain Sam Hartnett along with Jon Annand and promising utility player Nik Mylanos are all expected to turn out this year. Hartnett was named the competition's player of the year for 2014.
Danial Stone is again coaching the Ratz. He's had charge for the last two seasons.
Manning has yet to win a premiership since the Lower North Coast premiership was formed in 2008.
This will be the club's 20th season.
The Ratz were formed following a merger between the Old Bar Clams and the former Taree Rugby Club. The Clams have since re-formed.
Meanwhile Old Bar assistant coach Chad Lambert said the club has about 20 players on the books.
"We're looking to get three or four more,'' Lambert said.
"But it's already looking a lot better than last year.''
After making every grand final from 2008 to 2012, the Clams dropped out of the 2013 competition citing a lack of players. Old Bar returned last year, but copped some fearful hammerings and eventually forfeited the final three matches of the season because of a mounting injury toll.
Brentt Hodge is this season's coach. Lambert, the captain-coach in 2014 said the club is confident of an improved showing this year.
"We're regularly getting 15 to 16 players at training, which is pretty good,'' he said.
The Clams and the Ratz will meet in the opening game of the season on Saturday April 11 at Old Bar.
A new club, Wauchope, will contest the Lower North Coast premiership this year.