In each of the last few seasons, ’75 have gone close to finishing in the top five but they haven’t quite been able to break through.

However there is a good feeling that 2012 could be the year where the team realise their potential and challenge the competition leaders.

“In the past few years we have had young squads and this year we still have a fairly young side but they also have some experience behind them,” ’75 coach Mark Rooke said.

“Hopefully this year we have it right with that mix of youth and experience.

“Consistency throughout the season is the big thing for us, we have had bad starts or form drops in the middle and we need to avoid those.”

With more than a month until the season gets underway, Rooke said he was happy with where the side is at.

“We’ve been back two weeks and things are ticking along nicely. We have had good numbers turning out and it’s looking really good for this year,” he said.

“I’m really happy with the start we have had. The guys have come back with a really good attitude to training and I think the win against the Mariners was the catalyst for a lot of these guys getting their motivation back.”

Bathurst are potentially going to have one trial on the Central Coast this weekend as well as a couple of others as the season gets closer.

There has also been a reduction in the number of teams for their year’s State League division two and the coach believes it will help his side.

“The competition is the same format as last year but there are two less teams. It should have been a 12 team competition last year but they decided to bring in two other teams. Twelve teams seems like a nice round number and hopefully we can be part of the top five,” he said.

“The smaller competition will suit us. With all the travel we have to do during the season, two less games will help to keep the guys focused.”

While the senior teams are already hard at work, it is almost time for the juniors to get back into their training and a registration day will be held on the February 25 between 10am and 1pm at Bathurst Panthers for young players to sign-up.

“The juniors are where most of our players are from so they are very important to us. The numbers are shaping up pretty well but we would welcome anyone who is interested in coming along,” Rooke said.