The New England Nomads are chomping at the bit to get their North West AFL season started after sitting out round one with a bye.
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The Nomads have been out on the training paddock since January and are ready to put their efforts to the test.
Their first test couldn't get any tougher with a fixture against the reigning premiers, Inverell Saints.
James Treweeke has signed on again for the player-coach role and said its a different looking Nomads to last year's semi-finals team.
"A lot of the people we did lose were blokes who performed really well for us so I came into this year, not skeptical, but just hoping we would get an influx of uni students again. We did. We have got a few blokes who have played rep footy in other leagues and it is really exciting," he said.
"We have picked up a few more town people too, young blokes who have come across from soccer or rugby and stuff like that."
The Saints scored a 105-point win in round one and Treweeke knows it will be a big game for his new-look side.
"It is a massive first game for us, especially after their performances last year. They really topped the league in everything and it showed by winning the premiership," he said.
While hoping for the result to go in his favour, Treweeke is firmly focused on his team working on laying a platform and gelling for the season in front of them.
"I am not holding any massive expectations, not that I think we can't win, but it is the first game," he said.
"I am just really looking forward it to be honest.
"The results take care of themselves if you are prepared and we have had a very good pre-season."
As for who to watch in the Nomads team going forward, Treweeke has young gun Morgan Dunn tipped for a big year.
"In my personal view, I think he is ready to step up and play senior footy all year. I am really looking forward to how he progresses this year," he said.
"I am hoping it is very good because if he does it will be a massive boost to our team."
Round one of the North West women's competition starts this Saturday.
"The girls start this weekend as well," Treweeke said.
"They have struggled with numbers initially but I think they have got 18 or 19 this weekend."