Caloundra coach Geoff Ingram says they’ll tweak a few things this year, after learning some painstaking lessons at the end of last season.
The Lighthouses lost a thrilling grand-final to rivals Noosa in the Sunshine Coast A-grade rugby competition in 2020, with a late missed penalty separating the sides.
Ingram said the Dolphins deserved to win but his team will be back bigger and better.
“There’s a few lessons there, which we will take into 2021,” he said.
“We’ll try and vary a few things … we might simplify our pattens and make some things clearer for the team and maybe put a bit more time into set pieces and some other variations in general play.
“We’ll tweak a few things and will hopefully be back on top this year.”
The tense grand final enhanced the feelings between the two teams.
Noosa is the traditional juggernaut of the competition, but Caloundra was the top team in 2018 and 2019.
There’s a good rivalry there, it’s pretty healthy,” Ingram said.
“I like the way they (the Dolphins) go about things. Their coaching staff have their heads in the right place in terms of what they’re trying to do.
“They’re on the same page we are a lot of the time, so it’s good stuff.”
“It’s good for the game on the Sunshine Coast, to have a few strong clubs,” he added.
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Progress of rugby in the region been his aim since he took the coaching reins at Caloundra in 2018.
“We (the Lighthouses) are trying to set a higher standard on the Coast.”
“That’s the main motivator for me and the premierships follow when you get that right.”
The season is set to start in April and the Lighthouses should have a strong squad again.
“I think most of the guys from last year are keen (to play again),” Ingram said.
“Rugby league is on again (after last season’s local competition was cancelled) and their clubs are knocking on the doors of a few guys.
“I’m sure one or two of them might go to league but I think we’ll keep the majority of our squad together.”
The men’s A-grade competition includes Noosa, Caloundra, Maroochydore, University, Caboolture and Wynnum.
The women’s competition should involve Noosa, Caloundra, Maroochydore, University, Caboolture and Gympie.
