MACQUARIE RAIDERS: Gains, losses, prospects and Q&A with Justin Carney

After a number of years of false dawns and disappointment, excitement is building early in the Justin Carney era.

The former NRL player headlines another busy off-season of recruitment and the hope is it can turn the Raiders into contenders again.

Coach: Justin Carney

2024 finish: Ninth

Notable signings: Justin Carney (Albury Thunder), Josh Merritt (Bathurst Panthers), Josh Nixon, Wade Peachey, Blake Frost (Gilgandra Panthers), Blake Merritt (Canterbury Bulldogs), Jayden Merritt (Dubbo CYMS).

Notable exits: Billy Gilbert (Darlington Point Coleambally), Jordan Reynolds (Dubbo CYMS), Alex Ronayne (Warren), CJ Ralph (Wellington).

Are you excited about what this team could be capable of?

There's no doubt what they're capable of. But it's on me as well to keep them focused on one goal and keep them going.

At this stage, we're not looking at premierships or anything like that. We're there to grow as a club and be successful in general and move forward.

It's nice to win every game, but I'm not looking for that. I'm looking to grow as a playing group and sometimes a loss is the best thing for you.

Will it be strange going up against Nyngan for the first time?

Of course it will. I've probably got a few haters out there by now, but Nyngan will always be my home. That will never change.

Sometimes you just need to get out of your comfort zone a bit and go to a new place as a person or as a coach. You've got to test yourself and you can't just be complacent.

It's going to be different, but I'm with the Raiders now and that's that.

Will we see you on the field in 2025?

I'm not there for me. If I get on the field, I get on the field.

My best days are way behind me so I'm not worried about me. I'm just worried about the club and wherever I'm needed, I'll put myself.

I've been bashed around too much so I've got a fair bit to do to get my body right. I'm 37 so I'm not a young pup anymore and there are fit 21 and 22 year olds out there so it's probably just asking for injury.

But, I'm sure I'll get itchy feet at some point so I might put myself on the frontline, but I'm not really worried about me.

Which players have impressed you in pre-season?

The most pleasing thing is no one stood out. I think you worry as a coach if someone stands out from the rest.

They're all on the one page but this is the fittest I've ever seen Josh Merritt, which is a big plus.

One I've got my eye on, and he's still got a fair way to go, is Jayden Merritt. I think he's got a lot to offer but we've just got to get him fit and a few games under his belt.

There are a couple of kids as well and the big plus for me is Klayton Naden. He's got everything.

We've just got to work on a few things together as a playing group with him and get confident in directing and stuff like that, but in the years to come he'll probably be one of the best halves and he'll probably be the next Josh Merritt.

He's right up there and it's not out of the question he gets picked up by a city club, and that's what we want these young fellas to do.

Who is the team to beat?

I don't even care.

In all honesty, I do not look at anyone. I'm pretty focused on my own stuff and I think you can get too wrapped up in that and who's worried about who.

If you concentrate on your game and do your best and you put your best foot forward, they've got to match you. That's the way I look at it.

Why they can win the title

Things just seem a little different at Macquarie this season. I've been fooled into believing they were the real deal previously, but ther's a huge amount of positivity coming from Carney and everyone else involved in the club.

Carney is still yet to completely prove himself as a coach - his Albury side got knocked out in the opening week of finals each season he was there - but he will certainly command respect.

Josh Merritt back at the club is huge. He almost guarantees finals footy. Jack Kavanagh should play with more freedom after having the coaching responsibitly previously, and a number of new signings have provided some much-needed depth.

There's a lot to like.

Why they can't win the title

We've been here before. Macquarie changes leadership, makes a host of off-season signings, talks up their chances in pre-season, and then disappointment follows.

We need to see a Raiders side deliver with consistency before we can take them seriously. Last season, they beat local rivals Dubbo CYMS and pushed grand finalists Parkes all the way twice, but still finished ninth after losing their final four games.

Improvent is likely but it's a big step to go from outside the finals to premiers in the space of 12 months.