But assistant coach Chad Lambert is an optimistic type.

"It's been better than last season,'' he said.

"Hopefully we can build on the progress we've made this year and work towards an even better year in 2016.''

The Clams finished commitments for the year last Saturday when beaten 14-0 by Wallamba. This was one of the club's best performances in two years. But for the second successive season Old Bar didn't win a match - although they did break their duck by getting a bonus point.

Lambert maintains said there has been some improvement.

"We've met all our commitments this year - last season we pulled out with three or four weeks to go when we didn't have enough players because of injuries,'' he said.

The Clams returned to the Lower North Coast competition in 2014 after withdrawing in January 2013 citing a lack of numbers. In 2012 the Clams were beaten grand finalists. In fact from 2008, when the LNC premiership was formed to 2012 Old Bar featured in every grand final, winning in 2009 and 2011.

That seems a long time ago now.

Old Bar copped some fearful hammering last year. Lambert said they've been more competitive this winter.

"We've been getting a full side most weeks, although we usually don't have many reserves,'' he said.

"A couple of times we've had to play with 12 or 13 and that was tough and that's when we were beaten pretty badly. But when we have everyone there we've usually been competitive. We have to build on that now.''

Lambert said the club has a roster of 20 players.

"That's plenty,'' he said.

"But they're not always turning up - injuries, work commitments and plain laziness have been the problem.

"We've probably used about 30 players this year but a few have walked away and that's frustrating.''

Wet weather and the lengthy closure of the EG Trad Fields at Old Bar was another problem.

"We had trouble training and that hurt our fitness. And we had to move a few games to the Ratz Field at Taree because our field was closed - and that was good of the Ratz to let us do that,'' he said.

Where there's life there's hope and Lambert said the Clams will look to attract more players for season 2016. He said Old Bar will be represented for sure, despite the problems of the last couple of years.

Lambert agreed the Clams need to win games early in the season. That improves morale and gets players keen.

Lambert will be lacing the boots again next year and he understands most of this year's roster will be backing up. Brennt Hodge was Old Bar's coach this season.

"We'll get the presentation out of the way and then the annual meeting,'' Lambert said.

"Then we'll start looking towards next year.''