After a dismal set of result against Redbacks, which included a minor semi-final defeat, the Colts first grade members are hungry to hit back.

Matt Stephen, returning in his role as captain, said the club’s experienced ups and downs in the lead up to the new season.

“Wayne Sellers has come over from ORC which is a big boost to our lineup. Unfortunately Dave Sellers has gone up to Newcastle. I rang him up and wished him the best and I hope it all goes well for him up there,” he said.

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“We’ve had a big loss in Rodgo [Dave Rogerson] with his ACL. He had a massive year last year, the best I’ve ever seen him play him cricket. I thought he had a big year ahead of him.”

Sellers will miss the opening round fixture.

Colts will still have their usual suspects on hand, among them district representatives like Henry Shoemark, Dan Casey and Jacob Bognuda.

The club will look to lift their numbers across the opening month’s play and Stephen was thankful for Colts players and family members for helping to organise squads for 2018-19.

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“The first game is usually the toughest with numbers because you’re often coming in off school holidays but it is what it is,” he said.

“We’re very lucky that our captains in all grades and our committee have done a lot of hard work behind the scenes. All that work goes a long way.

“People don’t realise what actually goes on behind the scenes to make a cricket club function.

“It’s always a tough match against Redbacks, whether it’s the first game or last game. We’ll treat it like any other.”