The Macleay Valley Rangers announced Chris Walker will remain as coach of the first grade side as they prepare to enter the new Coastal Premier League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
John Henry and Jason Coleman will aid Walker throughout the season as assistant coaches.
Walker led the Rangers to a second place finish in the regular season of the Football Mid North Coast Premier League last season, but the side bowed out of the finals series in straight sets.
The second-year coach is looking forward to leading the side into the inaugural season of the Coast Premier League but admits there is a lot of mystery surrounding the competition.
"I expect it to be a tougher but it's hard to say because we don't know much about the northern sides," Walker told the Argus.
"We have played a couple of the sides in the pre-season but it's hard to get an accurate gauge off that because we had players missing and they would have too.
"But looking at results and from what I have heard, it's going to be a competition full of quality teams."
Walker claims the Rangers will have a similar look when they take the field next year.
"We got the group together earlier this week and I think we will have the same team as last year," Walker said.
"The most likely difference will be a few more juniors stepping up into reserve and first grade."
However, Walker said the side suffered a blow when right fullback Alex Le Mesurier suffered an ACL injury last month.
"Alex will most likely miss the entire season and he will be a big loss," Walker said.
"He was one of our better performers last season."
Walker pinpointed three younger players who he believes will make the step into the top grade this year.
"Mitch Korn had a big impact towards the end of last year and I expect Joel Crockford and Jonte Coleman to make some appearances too."
Despite the uncertainty of the strength of the competition, Walker will enter the season with the intention of reaching the finals series.
"Every season you want to reach the finals but it will be a new challenge next year," he said.
"We will see how we start the year and readjust our goals as we go."
The Coastal Premier League draw will be released early next year.
Wallis Lake withdrew from the competition this week, leaving the Rangers, Kempsey Saints, Port United and Port Saints as the representatives from the Mid North Coast.
