Having not fielded a under 16s team for two years, the Diesels’ under 18s team is undermanned and the club is looking for volunteers.

The club says without the players filling out the teams it could mean no first grade players in future to continue in the Diesels’ traditions.

“If you don’t have juniors then you don’t have seniors (in future),” club president Lloyd Nicoll said.

Coaching the under 18s side for 2012 is first grade player Geoff Bush, who will be assisted by teammate, Phil Latu.

“I’m very excited ... looking forward to a very good year with the young boys,” Bush said.

“It’ll be good to have his (Latu’s) experience, hopefully it’ll rub off on the young guys,”

In 2011, the under 18s were a match away from the grand final and with fresh talent could go one better to have a chance at the top prize.

Bush was assistant coach last year and said he had a good feeling for 2012 that the team could go one better.

“It was very disappointing last year to miss out by one,” he said.

Appealing for local players, the club said it would welcome new faces which haven’t played before but also any players who might be considering no longer playing.

Under 18s currently have a few players already and Bush said Patrick Sweeney and Sebastian McInerney, who played in 2011, would help lead newer players around the field.

“The more players we have the better it’ll be,” Bush said.

With their eyes set on the future, the Diesels are looking to revitalise their junior teams, which will

keep the Diesels on the Group Nine stage.