ZAC Merritt has every confidence he will have the squad which can challenge for the 2021 Group 10 premier league crown, but the St Pat's coach would still like to add to his roster.
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Namely he'd love a quality halfback to join the Saints.
Merritt did not get the chance to see what the strong roster the club had assembled for season 2020 could do as the pre-season Wollongong Nines and Bathurst Panthers Knockout were the only competitions they contested.
Before the likes of Oberon recruits Blake Fitzpatrick, Abel Lefaoseu, Jackson Brien and Andy Adams, Cowra's Lee McClintock, Kiwi trio Logan Afoa, Taumutu Nohotima (New Zealand) and Haze Reweti and the returning Luke Single could really prove their worth to the Saints COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the Group 10 season.
Not all those who had intended to play 2020 for Pat's will return in 2021, the coach's brother Traie Merritt one confirmed departure as he'll line up in Group 11 for Forbes.
But Zac Merritt thinks most of them will be back.
"We are going to lose a couple, I think that's just natural in footy, but I think we're going to gain some quality as well," he said.
"I've kept in contact with the boys who said they were going to leave and if they have a change in thought they're going to come back on board with us.
"We're in the process of signing all our local boys and fingers crossed, we're having a chat to a couple of the other boys we signed last season and hopefully they re-sign.
"We're also in the process of trying to just add another one or two blokes to keep the interest in there and show that we're keen for 2021."
On Merritt's wish list is an outside back and a halfback. The club already has its eye on some potential number sevens while they also hope to secure Fitzpatrick, who lined up for the premiership winning Oberon Tigers in the Mid West League Cup this year after Group 10 was cancelled.
"I just feel like we need to add a half that's really quality half, but if that falls through I thinks we still do have the quality there to win the premiership. I don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but we definitely have a lot of quality in our squad," the coach said.
"Fitz, hopefully we can get him back to the club, and he'll look to play in the six.
"But it's a clean slate for next year so everyone's got their opportunity, whatever position they want to have a crack at, we'll give them the opportunity. I know there are a couple of other blokes who want to play in the six or seven or at hooker."
The Saints held their first pre-season training run on Tuesday and while it was not compulsory, around 30 players took part.
Amongst them were those who will graduate from this year's crop of under 18s. Those young talents, combined with the current squad and the potential for new recruits, have Merritt excited.
"There are some good, exciting young kids, Kevy Grimshaw done a good job with them over the last couple of years so it will nice to have them come on board," he said. "It's exciting times for Pat's, we're looking strong for the next few years.
"We just had a bit of fun getting the boys back into it and getting around each other."
