They finished one game short of last year's Illawarra Premier League grand final.

Now, Peter Willis is determined to prove that fairytale run was no fluke.

Tarrawanna surprised many fans by being the IPL's most improved side in 2019. After finishing sixth in 2018, the Blueys surged into the preliminary final last year.

There, they met a red-hot Corrimal outfit.

The Blueys pushed them all the way before losing 2-1. The Rangers went to become IPL champions.

Willis is determined to make that kind of effort permanent in 2020.

"We're obviously looking for more, we're looking to go further," Willis said.

"I've always got high hopes and my goal is to win the league. We're not the [current] champion at the end of the day, that's my way of thinking. It's about who is the best over 22 games."

See more: Bulli FC face tough Frat Cup opener

The Blueys are set to unveil a young squad in this year's Fraternity Cup.

Tarrawanna has drawn a tricky Group A alongside Wollongong Olympic, Woonona and Bellambi.

The challenge gets even harder with 2019 captain Rick Goodchild departing to join Corrimal. Willis admits they will miss Goodchild's experience, but refuses to dwell on the loss.

"It's hard to replace people like that, but it gives the younger boys like Nick Tomasiello and Benny Learmonth a chance," he said.

"If they don't play, they don't get the experience. They played last year and did well, and they will be at the forefront this year.

"Then there's other kids coming through like Chris Cabo, he had a few games with us last year in first grade. We've got a couple more young lads coming that we've brought into the squad from other clubs as well."

Willis said the Fraternity Cup provided a good chance to test players out and see what style Tarrawanna wanted to play.

"Obviously we don't kick off [in the IPL] until the middle of March, so there's a fair way to go yet," he said.

"We've lost a couple experienced players and we're looking at a lot of youth team players now. But I think the enthusiasm they have is developing an excitement.

"People continually know there a chance of playing first grade."

The Frat Cup kicks off on February 12 and features IPL and District League teams.

The Blueys begin their pre-season campaign against Wollongong Olympic as part of a double header at Elizabeth Park on February 16.

Woonona will take on Bellambi in the other game.

Tarrawanna is then scheduled to take on the Sharks in round two before facing Bellambi in round three.

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