Hunter were third for the second year in a row last season, after breaking a frustrating run of fourth-placed efforts at the annual carnival.

National ironman series competitor Daniel Collins, who was 14^th in round three last weekend at Bulli, is unavailable but Cook has Justin McMorland (suspension) and Hayden Copping (injury) back to bolster his opens line-up after they were absent last year.

"We're hoping for top three again," Cook said.

"Last year was the most points we've ever had and we did that with a young team. A lot were racing up an age, but this year we've got a lot of our good competitors in the right age group, so I think that will boost our points."

"It's a shame about Daniel but we've got some open competitors coming back in Hayden Copping and Justin McMorland, and they will be really good for us."

Under-14s competitor Jack Johns was a late withdrawal because of illness. Percy Sinclair was his replacement.

The Hunter squad: Phoebe Doran, Samuel Govender, Daisy Breasley, Albert Forbes, Kaitlin Rees, Billy Foran, Shari Hurdman, Jai Callaghan, Stella Sutherland, Xavier Coates, Tully Elliott, Brodie Wright, Poppy Doran, Sidney Forbes, Lani Waller, Kalen Routley, Zara Foran, Percy Sinclair, Isabella Campbell, Billy Moody, Kaylee Dowsett, Jack Breasley, Hayley Snowden, Charlie Walker, Hayley Walmsley, Beau Mcgregor, Lily Forbes, Fletcher Myers, Eliza Johnson, Saxon Coates, Bella Williams, Nicholas Stoddart, Lisa Wright, Kieran Gordon, Nicola Owen, Justin McMorland, Freya Konetschnik, Hayden Copping, Sophia McMahon, Kye Taylor.