It hasn't been a typical pre-season for the team and despite a few challenges thrown their way, coach Jade Williams said the team was looking competitive.

"We've got a few things in place that will give us an opportunity to move forward this year," he said.

"We haven't gone out and recruited like crazy and I think we've got the right mix of boys."

Starting their training in February, the focus was on fitness, to ensure the team could be competitive for an 80-minute match and it appears to have paid off.

"Our fitness is stronger this year and we've got a good balance between fitness and ball work.

"There's a long way to go still, and there's only a few hours each week to work," Williams said.

Fortunately for the club, numbers at training continue to be solid, giving the selectors a good field of players to choose from to take the field against the Dragons.

It's also the first time in a number of years the club has had both an under 16s and under 18s team - which will help boost player numbers and cover for any injuries during the season.

"This time last year people were only just starting to turn up and some players are still arriving."

"There's a little bit more depth this year, last year we ran dry pretty quickly.

"A few younger blokes got their start earlier than they would have if we had more depth (in 2013)," Williams said.

It's the experience of Junee's first graders in their second year under Williams that he's hoping will unlock results for the team.

"Results are a little bit more important this year, it's their second year in the system and players will have a better understanding of it (structures)," he said.

The Junee Diesels will host the Temora Dragons on Sunday, April 27 at Laurie Daley Oval and Williams said they would be a tough team after having recruited heavily in the off-season.

SINCE the shock departure of front-rower and aspiring coach Moses Manu, the Diesels have been looking for a replacement.

Junee has scored a lucky break, with one front-rower making his way to the club from Wagga.

John Makeham will jump from South City to the Diesels in time for their game against Temora on Sunday.

"He came to us and asked if we had a spot. We didn't want to make any promises, but we'll give him an opportunity (to play)," coach Jade Williams said.

At the moment the Diesels' forward pack has no one over the age of 23 years old and 33-year-old Makeham will increase the average age significantly.

He'll also bring a wealth of experience.

"(John's) excited to play with a young forward pack," Williams said.