Despite the loss of leading goal-scorer Jerome Dunphy during the off-season, Albury Hotspurs captain Luke Dahl is confident his side can compete with the league's best.
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Cobram got the better of them in the season opener, 5-2, with Englishman Mitchell Speechley-Price netting a hat-trick.
But Dahl remains optimistic of Spurs' chances heading into round two against a quality Albury United side on Sunday.
"United is always a pretty competitive side and from the sounds of things they've stepped it up again this year," Dahl said.
"Losing Jerome who had 15 or so goals last year was always going to be massive.
"We probably haven't got one player that can score those numbers, but hopefully we can get a better spread of goals this year.
"We need stick to our plans and be aggressive, not let the fear of conceding goals stop us from going forward and creating chances."
Matt Townsend has taken over the coaching reins from Rob Tuksar this season and offers a "different sort of intensity".
"There's similar sort of structures because 'Townie' was obviously a part of the team last year," Dahl said.
"With 'Townie' playing with us, it's a bit more of a team-based decision, so we're working together to make things work out on the field, rather than Rob giving us directions.
"It wasn't the best scoreline for us on the weekend, but we'd hope over the next few weeks it will be something that gets easier."
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Albury United defender Sam Mason said the confidence is much higher around the camp in 2019.
The Greens have welcomed a host of class, including French import Gauthier Robin, who starred in their 6-1 victory against St Pats.
"He (Robin) offers a lot of intensity in that forward third," Mason said.
"He doesn't give up on the ball and he'll chase back and try hunt for it straight away once he's lost it.
"Throughout pre-season, 'Macca' (coach Steve McLennan) was talking about trying to really focus on scoring goals for the season.
"We've always been pretty good at defending, but for the last three or four years we've really struggled to put teams away.
"To be able to do that in the first half against St Pats (5-0) really gives us a lot of confidence going into this week as well."
Mason added the playing group has a bit more freedom on the pitch under McLennan.
"Blokes like Caleb Martin have a bit more of a say on how we set up going into different sides and who we really need to mark out of games," Mason said.
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