Records have had a habit of being broken by the men in blue and white during the past year, with the club’s unbeaten 2009 season resulting in another premiership and its first Clayton Cup win.

But Lavaka said his side was not getting ahead of itself for this weekend, or the upcoming Group 20 season, saying his men know they have to prove themselves all over again.

“Everything’s been going great during pre-season, the boys are very keen at the moment and everybody’s looking forward to going out there (West Wyalong) this year,” Lavaka said.

“It’s not going to be easy for us that’s for sure but it’s going to be a good hit out for us to see where we’re at with our preparation and so some of the boys can get into their preferred positions and lock it down for the season.”

Yenda has been placed in a lopsided half of the draw, with two other premiers in the form of Wagga Kangaroos and Goulburn lining up with other strong Group 9 sides, Wagga Brothers and Gundagai.

But Yenda again looks to be one of the front runners in the region this season after keeping much of the same

side from last year with brothers Geoff and Albert Cook adding speed and size to their side.

Geoff in particular is a handy pick up from Griffith Black and Whites, however, Lavaka said the brothers are likely to be rested this weekend, along with five-eighth Chris Richards who is still nursing the ankle he injured in the opening minutes of last season’s grand final.

“We’re working things around at the moment, but I don’t think we’ll be taking the whole squad,” he said.

“We’re trying to take a few under 18s players up so we can mix it around, but Chris isn’t going because we don’t want him to get injured now.”

Rumoured to be joining the squad this weekend is scintillating halfback David Rauluni, who is set to rejoin the squad after a tilt at qualifying for the Fiji Commonwealth Games boxing squad.

If Rauluni is able to take his place in the side this weekend, he has the game that could cut opposition sides to shreds especially against less-than-fit opposition in pre-season, along with fellow speed-merchants Viliami Ngu and Nui George.

Also rumoured for a return is veteran prop Trevor Richards who is currently training with the side in a bid to see if he still has a spark left for the game, with this weekend set to give Yenda fans a strong indication if they can expect him to pull on the Blueheelers’ jersey again this season.