A pumped-up Mittagong Lions will be keen to kick the year off with a bang when they clash with Narellan in the season opener at Mittagong Sportsground on Saturday night.

The new-look squad is desperate to build on a solid effort in 2000 and according to captain/coach Mark Gleeson, his young charges are bristling with confidence.

“We’ re confident we can open the season with a win,” he said.

“They’re a pretty strong team and it will be a tough game but I still think we can do it.”

And despite boasting a classy outfit, Gleeson has warned his players about complacency claiming they might need a few hitouts to reach their peak.

“I think we’re still a bit underdone,” he said.

“We probably haven’t had enough time together and the more we play the better we’ll start going.

“It would have been good to have another run last week but I’m still confident of a win.”

Led by top class second rower Andrew Murdoch, the Lions forward pack will hold the key this season but a number of off-season signings have made the backline a much more formidable outfit.

“We have some really good young backs in the line-up,” Gleeson said.

“I’m hoping for big things from Adam Fettell and young Daniel Hannaford will be starting the match at five-eighth,” he said.

And with the Moss Vale Dragons primed for a big season after splitting with Bowral, a bitter rivalry is bound to develop between the two Highlands teams.

“There’ll definitely be some rivalry there and the local derbies are always good,” Gleeson said.

And the Lions are looking forward to their debut game under the new lights at the Mittagong Sportsground.

“It̵ 7;s a big advantage playing at home and it’s sure to be a big crowd,” Gleeson said.

“Mittagong are one of the best supported teams in Group 6 so we’re expecting a good showing.”

The U18s will kick off at 4pm and the main game will start at 7.30pm.