WHILE disappointed to see some of his 2014/15 Whitney Cup runners-up squad now gone, Newtown captain Mat Skinner knows his side still has an experienced core group capable of leading the Tigers to the final again.
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Newtown made their first Whitney Cup decider in more than a decade last season but went down to RSL-Colts in the biggest match of the season.
Following that, the off-season saw Marty Jeffrey make the move to the premiers while Ben Knaggs (CYMS) and Dan Horrocks (Rugby) also left the club.
"But there's not much we can do about it," Skinner said of the departures.
"We've got to go with what we've got and we've got some guys from lower grades pushing for spots so hopefully some of them can make the spots theirs."
While clearly frustrated some of his side is now gone, Skinner is well aware the main contributors to last season's grand final run are still in the lineup.
Skinner and Dan French will again co-captain the side while Steve Skinner, Wayne Dunlop and Dan Holland were all some of the Whitney Cup's best players last time out.
While no big name recruits have arrived, the third Skinner brother, Tom, has now recovered from the knee reconstruction which ruled him out of all but a handful of lower grade games last summer.
He looks set to take the new ball and that, on top of the confidence last season gave the Tigers, still has Skinner in a positive mood.
"It was very good and it gave us the belief we can do it," the skipper said of the grand final run.
"We'd like to make the final again and I think we've got the team to do it but performances from me, Steve and 'Dunners' (Dunlop) will be key, we've got to have half-decent seasons again and others guys chip in."
Youngster Tom Barber looks set to be one player to benefit from the exodus of players, with Skinner confirming the leg-spinning all-rounder will take on a bigger role.
He and fellow tweaker Steve Skinner will be expected to get through a host of overs for the Tigers.
Newtown open their season with a round one clash against Rugby, much like they did last year when they won by an innings and 83 runs and immediately announced themselves as contenders.
"Hopefully we can put some performances together early and make ourselves known," Skinner said, with the aim being the same again this time around.
In terms of the rest of the competition, Skinner said he expects Colts again to lead the while adding, much like everyone else in local cricket circles, that South Dubbo will be the biggest improvers.
