New coach Luke Wilkshire has provided a ringing endorsement of his revamped Wolves squad on the eve of the NPL campaign as the ex-Socceroo puts a return to finals football firmly in his cross-hairs for 2019.
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Wilkshire will be in charge of his maiden NSW National Premier League Men's 1 contest when the Wolves host Manly United at Albert Butler Memoral Park on Sunday afternoon.
The former international right back took over from Jacob Timpano at the end of last season and has been tasked with leading Wollongong into a new era this season.
The club is set to rely on youth after losing a wealth of experience in the off-season, with Wilkshire among a list of players to either hang up the boots or move elsewhere.
They aren't just great footballers but great men, which I think is very important.
Veterans Nick Montgomery and Yuzo Tashiro have called time on their career at NPL level while Michael Robinson and Steve Hayes won't suit up this season.
Star striker Peter Simonoski (Sydney United 58) and defensive regular James Baldacchino (Marconi Stallions) have both moved elsewhere.
It has opened the door for a wealth of new talent to join the Wolves, including former Western Sydney Wanderer Lachlan Scott, Canberra's Thomas James and Illawarra Premier League talents Guy Knight, Harry Callahan (both Bulli) and Takeru Okada (Corrimal).
NSW NPL regulars Nick Littler and Ben Tosi have also returned.
"There are changes in the squad but we have gelled really good," Wilkshire said.
"We have a very youthful and hungry side and we have come together really well. It is a really close team.
"They aren't just great footballers but great men, which I think is very important.
"You see it at all levels. You can have the best team in the world, but if you don't have that unity and togetherness then you aren't going to be successful.
"It is pretty hard to come by to get a squad that are as closely knit as these guys are."
Wilkshire was part of the Wolves squad last season which finished ninth in the league and scored just 23 goals across the 22 match campaign. He is confident the club will see improved results throughout the upcoming campaign.
"We have got a winning mentality. No one likes to lose and especially not me," Wilkshire said.
"We will go one game at a time but I want to win every game. That is how I feel.
"With the quality in the squad and the depth that we have got, I definitely expect an improvement on last year and to be in the finals."
The Wolves will begin their campaign against a Manly United outfit which will also be keen to atone from a disappointing last year.
The home stand comes before Wollongong embark on a testing four-game road trip to start the season.
"We want to start the season as we mean to go on with the rest of it," Wilkshire said.
"It has been long grueling preseason and I've said to the boys that I can't ask anything more of them. They've done everything I have asked.
"Our first game is when it counts and I am really excited for them.
"The biggest thing for us to concentrate on what we do. If we do that, then I am sure we will match up against any side in this league."
Kick off is at 3pm on Sunday.
All matches on the NSW NPL Men's 1 will be streamed live on Facebook in 2019.
