As they prepare to officially kick-off their preparations for the season on Monday night, Gunnedah president Bruce Hockings says they are just "hoping for some football".
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The Red Devils spent last year on the sidelines after the Central North season was abandoned in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
"As a club we're just looking forward to playing some football in 2021," Hockings said.
As the local community are, and the players.
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"They're all keen as mustard to get into some footy," he said.
Some of them have been getting together of a Thursday afternoon at the grounds for a bit of social touch footy.
On Monday night things will kick-up a gear as they officially commence training.
"The boys are busting to get into it, and not just for the football side of things but the camaraderie and mateship," Hockings said.
Dan Martin will again be in charge of the first grade side and, from Hockings' understanding, should have a pretty similar roster to 2019.
It was a bit of a watershed year for the club with both first and second grade reaching the semi-finals and the women's 7s side going on to win the premiership.
They are this year also hopeful of being able to field a side in the colts (under-21s) competition.
Hockings said at this stage it is hard to gauge interest. They haven't really been pushing it too much yet with the uncertainty of COVID still hovering.
In general, he said they "haven't planned too far ahead".
The lifting of the colts age comes after it was raised to under-20s for last season.
"As a zone it's really important to get that going. Otherwise there's no young one's coming through," Hockings said.
Training on Monday will be from 6.30pm.
