BATHURST Bulldogs' colts might have been a shattered playing group on grand final day last year as they fell seven points short of an undefeated Central West Rugby Union campaign, but that experience could now be a bonus.
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The lessons the colts learned over the course of that season, the confidence and skills they developed, coupled with the desire to go one better this year after the 22-15 grand final upset at the hands of Dubbo Kangaroos makes them valuable assets.
Bathurst Bulldogs first grade coach Matt McRobert has been impressed with the way they have trained in the build up to the July 18 season openers and admits they could pose some selection headaches.
"We're lucky in that we had such a good colts side last year and we have had such a good turn out from them at training and we'll be able to call on them, whether it's first grade or second grade," he said.
"The strength of the club with that colts grade from last season is certainly something we can lean on now, we can take comfort from the fact those kids have been very well prepared for grade.
"They had a very successful year last year, they just fell short in the grand final. Some of the key players from that side have been training with us and looking really good."
Five-eighth Isaac Hogan, who scored two tries in last year's grand final, and semi-final hero Zac Taylor are two of last year's colts who have caught McRobert's eye.
Number 8 Tom Felsch, fullback Ethan Ivory and flanker Ty Harrison are others who have impressed.
"These kids have come up a grade and are looking really good. I'm really excited to see what they do," McRobert said.
"Whether they make first grade or not is unknown yet, but we're really glad to see those kids coming up and training really hard and putting their best foot forward."
Just as the graduating colts have worked hard at training, so too have the more senior Bulldogs players.
From the small groups forced to adhere to social distancing measures when a return to training was first permitted, the numbers have grown and now full-contact sessions are able to take place.
"Certainly since we started back training six weeks ago numbers have steadily grown, in the last week or so they've been very healthy," McRobert said.
"I'm just really enjoying having the players around and all the banter that goes on at training, the players have really put in a great effort. At worst we had four players at training from the men's teams, but it's built up and built up.
"The attitude the guys have shown has been really humbling in a way, they've trained very hard.
"A few weeks ago the headache was 'Would we have enough?', but now we have the numbers.
"It's a really different situation and no-one's been in it before, I'd say any club in the zone would say COVID has had a large impact on playing numbers and we're no different."
There have been some new faces at Bulldogs training and McRobert hopes they all continue to push each other for first XV selection as the season opener draws closer.
Bulldogs will play away to 'Roos in round one, with the 2020 season to feature nine rounds and three weeks of finals.
