Bartley will again have the reins of the first grade side in 2017 after taking charge for the first time this year. The Wildcats were the big improvers in the league, recovering from a horror 2016 when Taree finished last in first and reserve grade. This year the Wildcats were semi-finalists in both grades.

“We’ll be focusing on a goal for next year,’’ Bartley said.

“There was a change in the club’s culture this season and that showed with the results. But we have to keep moving forward. What we achieved this year won’t count next season.’’

The Wildcats finished fifth after the competition-proper but had to rely on a goal differential to seal the berth in the playoffs. Taree then downed the in-form Kempsey Saints in the elimination match.

Fate intervened when the Wildcats had a number of players unavailable for the minor semi against Tuncurry-Forster where a loss ended their premiership aspirations. However, Bartley admitted Taree’s form towards the end of the season was inconsistent. A controversial season-ending suspension to leading goal scorer Jackson Witt didn’t help the cause.

That campaign has been consigned to the memory banks, Bartley insisted.

Bartley hopes to have much the same roster available for 2017, with key players Witt, skipper Jordan Howard, Ricky Campbell and Josh Ferris all saddling up again. Campbell returned to the code this year after playing rugby in 2015 and should be better for the run.

“But we’ll be looking for new players – we’ll lose a few to uni or whatever,’’ Bartley said.

A change in format to the National Premier League (NPL) to under 16s will mean under 17s will be looking for a home in the premier league. Bartley hopes to pick up a few from there.

“The big thing is to get numbers,’’ he emphasised.

“We need plenty of players for both grades.’’

He believes that was Wallis Lakes' main strength. The Vikings were premiers in first and reserve grade this year. Bartley doesn’t believe there was that big a gulf between Wallis Lake and the rest of the contenders. However, he said the Vikings had the luxury of having quality fresh players on the bench for first grade, while most clubs had to rely on reserve graders backing up.

Ten clubs will contest the 2017 premier league with the addition of Wauchope. Bartley agreed that will change the dynamic, with no free weekends with the bye.

“The bye was pretty good for us last year,’’ he said.

He expects Wauchope to be a force in the club’s return to the PL while he believes Kempsey Saints will be a definite challenger for major honours.

Bartley hopes to plan at least one get-together for the premier league squads soon while he also has to have a meeting with new club president Scott Taylor.

“We’ll start training mid-January,’’ he said.

“The premier league doesn’t kick off until April, but we have the FFA Cup in February.’’

Taree will also be looking for a reserve grade coach to allow Bartley to concentrate 100 per cent on the first grade campaign.