Decimated last season with player unavailability due to injuries, work commitments and representative duties, the Boars are looking for a positive start to the new season to jump-start this year’s challenge.

President Allan Gersbach is confident the Boars’ fortunes will improve this year.

“We have been really pleased with the numbers and attitude of players at training,” Allan said.

“”We had good numbers turn up for our pool session on Tuesdays while we had more than 20 players turn up for last week’s Thursday session at Spicer Oval.

“All the players are keen to go and that bodes well for a good season,” he said.

The Boars have lost two important figures from the past few seasons with Central West and NSW Country reps Mahe Fangupo and Amoni Vae leaving to pursue other challenges.

While Allan believes they leave big boots to fill, he believes there are positive aspects as well.

“Losing Amoni to Easts in Sydney and Mahe heading overseas leaves two pretty big holes for us,” Allan said.

“We lost them for a lot of last season on representative duties.

“This year it may actually work in our favour as it could leave us with more stability in the starting line up from week to week.

“We also have a few new players who look like they could be pretty handy replacements.

“Grant Lowe returns this year and will be joined by his brother Warren.

“Warren can play anywhere in the backline and looks to be a very decent goal-kicker.

“We also have Tohi Nusipepa returning to the squad and hopefully he will slot into the second row in the top grade.

“We are still trying to get a couple more new players but need to find them employment opportunities first.

“Hopefully we can get some help with that.”

While the club is looking at new players, it will be boosted by the return of a number of players who missed a lot of last season.

“Toby Baigent returns after missing most of last season with a knee injury while Joe Nash is working hard to return to the paddock after a shoulder injury ruled him out for all of 2014,” Allan said. 

“These guys returning and our new additions give us a pretty good squad.”

The club has retained most of its sponsors for 2015 with the Royal Hotel coming back on board.

The Services Club return as major sponsors this year and will appear on the guernseys of the top two grades.

The Boars start their season with two away games against perennial powerhouses Orange City and Bathurst Bulldogs.

The season kicks off on April 11 while the Boars first home game is on April 25.

“It is a tough start for us,” Allan said.

“We will play a couple of trial games before the season proper starts.

“Hopefully we can form a solid starting line up and carry that through most of the season.

“The coaching staff has remained the same with the addition of former player Paul Moody who will work with the backs.

“We have retained the same executive and have a strong base for the club to build on this season.

“We are all really excited for what lays ahead,” he said.