Coach: Mick Bolch

Last year: 1st (43 points, +17 goals). Grand finalists

Arrivals: Braedyn Crowley (Jaffas), Joey O'Connor (Jets Youth), Adam Blunden (The Entrance), Matt Comerford (injury).

Departures: Matt Thompson (Jaffas), Ryan Clarke (Hamilton Azzurri), Grant Brown (work), Alex Read (Valentine), Louis Townsend (Adamstown), Ryan Broadley (Thornton), Luke Jennings (Cessnock).

First month: Edgeworth (A), Adamstown (H), Lakes (A), Valentine (A).

Maitland claimed their first top-division premiership, grand final appearance and maiden FFA Cup round of 32 qualification in a memorable 2019.

This year they have lost quality players in Matt Thompson, Alex Read and Ryan Clarke but have picked up one of the league's best in striker Braedyn Crowley.

Experience and depth seemed keys to success last year. How do you rate those areas this season?

Obviously losing Thommo, Clarkey and Ready, there's a lot of experience there, but we've still got Matt Trott, the Swans [Mat and Andrew], Carl Thornton, Joel Wood, there's still plenty across the park, so I don't think experience is going to affect us a great deal. We're probably a bit more mobile than we were last year and we're definitely fitter. The group has a good balance, like last year, but I think our movement in the front third is going to go to another step. There's still decent depth on the bench but the bigger thing is going to be another year on with injuries. If we don't have a bad run with injuries, I'm more than happy with our depth.

Signing Crowley was a coup, but how will he fit into your attack along with striker Joel Wood?

During all the trials, Braedyn has played as a nine and Joel as a seven. It's taken a little bit of adapting to get it right, but it's been really good the past few weeks. We scored six on Azzurri, six on Valo and eight up at Coffs on the weekend. We change it around a bit during games, because Brayden has that pace to do well out wide, so it will depend on game situations and who we come up against. It's good that we've got flexibility among the squad. Jimmy Thompson can play seven, 11 and 10. He's played a bit of 10 in the trials and has done really well.

What's the biggest challenge in trying to back up the breakthrough year?

Consistency. Last year we flew under the radar a bit. We had games in hand a lot of the year and everyone was talking about Edgy and Magic etc. This year we'll have a target on our back all year being the premiers.

How has the sudden passing of assistant coach Gary Rowe affected the group?

Even though he was only there at the club for a couple of months, he connected really quickly with the playing group. He was like that. A lot of the younger guys took it hard because he did a lot of work with them. It was a big shock when it happened and we called off a couple of sessions. It's brought them together a bit. With how hard it hit the group, a lot of them will be playing this year for Rowey. It's obviously devastating. He was a great guy and a great coach. He brought a lot to the club.

Who from pre-season shapes as one to watch this year?

Our front third. The movement in our front third with Commo, Woodsy, Crowley and Jimmy Thompson, they've come together and clicked so quickly. The movement and one-touch football is really good.

Maitland face a tough task in trying to repeat the club's greatest season, and the loss of Clarke, Read and Thompson will be felt.

The experienced trio were often matchwinners as the Magpies found late goals to edge ahead of the pack.

In their place is 2019 league-leading scorer Crowley, ex-Jets Youth player O'Connor and Comerford, who is back after 18 months out with a knee injury.

Crowley will no doubt be a key man up top and Maitland still have a rock-solid defence and the class of Nick Cowburn in midfield.

It all points to another year near, or at, the top.

SIGN UP TODAY: For the best coverage of sport in Newcastle and the Hunter, subscribe to the newcastleherald.com.au/lovesport for unlimited digital access