The experienced duo got the Border’s representative hockey outfit back on track last year after it withdrew from the 2017 season.

Entering their second campaign as coaches, Donnolley and Payne are confident the group can go to another level.

“Last year definitely exceeded what we expected," Donnolley said.

“We were happy just to get numbers and build a bit of a squad.

“To come away with the wins we did and the position (sixth) we finished was above anything we expected.”

The Spitfires will welcome back Dom Wild from a year overseas, while Norths captain Jordan Thorneycroft is also considering a return to the Spitfires.

“They’re two really good players if they stay fit,” Donnolley said.

“It will be good if we can get a full squad every week, there was a few weeks there where we didn’t have our best team on the park.

“That’s the reason we tried to get such a big squad and get them all up to the same level, so it doesn’t hurt us as much when we’re missing players.

“They’re all fairly good mates now, so it makes them want to push each other a bit more.”

Payne admitted the likes of Joe Forster, Sam Quick, Noah Erdeljac and the other younger members of the squad will step up this year and look to take on leadership roles.

“They know what to expect this time,” Payne said.

“You’ve always got to build on what you’ve got, so we’ll be looking for a finals appearance.

“It’s just about consistency, keeping everyone on the park, and, when the tough games come, being able to perform.

“Especially at home, this is our fortress and teams travel three-and-a-half hours to get here to play.

“We need to make a bit more of a stronger stand here and start taking the games at home.

“We let a couple slip last year which was disappointing.”

According to Payne, defending premiers Wests and Goulburn will be right in the mix again, but the Spitfires produced some of their best performances against those sides last season.

He also stressed the importance of the Capital League pathway.

“We need to keep the Spitfires running so the juniors have something to strive for locally,” Payne said.

“We don’t want players having to leave to Melbourne and Canberra, we want to try keep our talent here and this is the avenue to do it.

“We’re heavily involved with the juniors with coaching clinics.”

The Spitfires will kick-off pre-season fitness training next Tuesday and also hope to run a training camp at Howman’s Gap.

A number of teams from Canberra and Melbourne are expected to travel to the Border for a pre-season tournament against the Spitfires at Albury Hockey Centre in March.