They have lost a host of talent but the return of former captain Lori Depczynski should go some way to lessening the blow for Herald Women's Premier League heavyweights Merewether.
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The league's only three-time champions have lost Leah Giuffre, Jane McDonald, Jamee Ellis, Tayla Braithwaite and Courtney Anderson from the side which were beaten 4-3 in last year's championship-decider by New Lambton.
Giuffre, McDonald, Ellis and Braithwaite are all having a season off and Anderson has returned to Mid North Coast.
Defender Sarah Hartree is also out after having a knee reconstruction in August.
Successful mentor Cassandra Koppen, who led Merewether to four grand finals in five years at the helm, stood down after last season and last week her replacement Antonio Ambrogetti parted ways with the club.
But the return of Depczynski after a season out of WPL - she moved to Queensland for work last year and is now based in Singleton as an environment and community officer at Liddell Coal - has been a welcome one and the 26-year-old told the Newcastle Herald she was keen to again join forces with many of her long-time teammates at Merewether.
Those include Melbourne City striker Rhali Dobson and former Jets W-League players Alison Logue, arguably the best goalkeeper in WPL, and defender Nicki Jones.
"Now I've committed, I'm excited to get back into it," Depczynski said. "There's a bit of fresh blood this year, which is always a bit of a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it.
"There have been some big changes to the team but I think that kind of gives us licence to try some new things and work with who we've got now."
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A change is also on the cards position-wise for Depczynski, who brings a wealth of experience back to United. She has made over 110 appearances in WPL and was key to all three of Merewether's championship wins in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
While Depczynski has spent most of her time at Merewether as a steely force in their back line she is hoping for a more forward role this campaign.
She is likely to form a three-pronged attack with Dobson and Tamara Nash.
"I used to play more of an attacking role but the last four or five years I've either been centre-back or a holding centre midfield, apart from the odd game, so I'm really excited for the change," Depczynski said.
Defender Katy Gray had impact last year and seasoned campaigners Nash and Ellie Withers offer plenty of experience to the Merewether squad as well.
Scott Ellis has taken over as interim coach while the club looks for a replacement for Ambrogetti.
The WPL is set to start on March 6 with Broadmeadow hosting Warners Bay at Magic Park but the Herald understands the game is likely to be moved due to a clash with the Matildas' Olympic qualifying match with Vietnam at McDonald Jones Stadium that night.
Merewether host New Lambton in a grand final rematch at No.2 Sportsground on March 8 and on the same day Adamstown play Thornton and Mid North Coast are up against Newcastle Olympic.
