TO some, the 2019 Shoalhaven District Football Association season might be seen as a disappointment for the St Georges Basin Dragons, after their heartbreaking loss to Bomaderry in the preliminary final.
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Not Paul Cubbo.
The club's senior co-ordinator is over the moon with the club's output last season, as it continues to grow internally.
"The 2019 season was an excellent season for the club as a whole, with several teams making finals and two winning their respective grand finals," Cubbo said.
"Although first grade just missed out, they are now hungrier than ever to be a part of that grand final day.
"My goal [since he joined in 2016] for the seniors was a slow and steady improvement each season.
"Not only for the players but with the introduction of a solid infrastructure such as quality coaching including specialist goalkeeper coach, fitness trainer, strapper and first aider - all goals which we are now achieving."
To ensure this progress continues, Cubbo's club returned to the field in early January.
"We threw training open to all players from under 17s, women's and seniors - where we would get together, have a light run, throw in a few exercises and stretches and have a social game," Cubbo said,
"It was a great opportunity to return to some normality after the terrible bushfires and to have some fun and start thinking about the 2020 season."
The 2020 campaign will be Craig Holden's second in charge of the first grade squad, who have had a number of changes during the off-season.
Both George Haberley and Simon Cubbo have retired, while Jake Schutz (work commitments), Connor MacQueen (recoverying from compound fracture), Justin Barutha (posted to Sydney for work) and the club's Rookie of the Year Jasper Meyer (university) have all moved on.
But Meyer's younger brother Flynn, as well as Cain Mooy and Luke Reid have joined the red and whites - with Ben Cubbo (knee) also expected to return to the fold this season.
"Flynn and Cain will add strength and creativity to the midfield, while Luke will bolster our goal-scoring ability," Cubbo said.
"When Ben eventually returns, he will toughen up the defence."
These additions should make Holden's squad, which still features Brenden Hobbs, Fraser MacQueen, Tim White, Wade Garin, Tyrone Nye-Williams, Luke Howe, Sean Peek and Dane McGinn, once again in the mix for the Blackmore Bolden Shield.
"The nucleus of the squad has now been together for the last few seasons and having been knocked out in the preliminary final last season, they understand what is required to go all the way," Cubbo said.
"I believe they will show more mental toughness and focus.
"On top of that, I would like to see players such as gifted youngsters Jordie Reid, Flynn Meyer and Zac Stahlhut step forward this season and help our premiership ambitions."
Unfortunately for the Dragons and all other community footballers around the country, play has been suspended until to the end of May, due to the coronavirus epidemic.
"This is unchartered territory for all teams but I hope our guys continue to do individual training until this horror is over," Cubbo said.
"Hopefully we can pick up where we left off when activities ceased on March 17."
If and when they do return to the pitch, Cubbo and his club have their eyes fixed in certain goals in 2020.
"Firstly, we all want to start playing and give us all something positive to concentrate on and to look forward to," he said.
"Our goal for this season is to have all our players back up and playing with no major injuries to any of our roster.
"Our aim is for all three senior teams and our over 35s to make the finals and to pick up one or two trophies for our club."