The Thunderbolts lost key players and coach John Ireland at the end of last season but are in a confident mood ahead of their 2020 opener away to Newcastle on Saturday night.
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So says interim coach Chris Skilton, who retired as a player after leading Tamworth to a grand final lost to Canberra Gunners Academy last season.
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Skilton said the core of the team was "very similar" to 2019. "We've still got a good group of players, a few of which are having to step up into a more senior role - and, again, with a good flash of youthful experience coming through," he said. "It will be interesting to see how we go."
Skilton said the Thunderbolts' "hard training" had been underpinned by a "defensive-orientated mentality".
He added: "Newcastle have historically always been a tough team, and they won't go away: they'll persist in the fight for as long as possible, so it will be a difficult game. But I think we should be up to the task."
