After what the veteran coach says was pretty much a building season, the side looked set to clinch a semi-final spot, but with time almost up, Vikings squeezed over in the corner to snatch a draw and push Kiama out of the semi-finals.

"I think last year was a building season, with an eye to 2015," Thomas said. Only time will tell as to how much the experience of going so close will affect this year's side, but I think that last year's improved results will build a bit of confidence.

"I know that final round result still hurts a bit, but a lot of credit must go to the guys who put in so much effort last year after our injury plagued 2013 - they showed a lot of character to come back."

Thomas said that some new faces this year will hopefully mean a lot more depth.

"That is something that the great Kiama sides of the past have had and something we really have to work on. There are some new faces at training and hopefully they will help boost our depth.

"We have only lost Ben King-Gee and Mick Quinn from last year's top team at this stage, with Mick helping me as assistant coach, while we are working with our juniors to try and make sure we build our juniors, which in the long-run will also boost our depth."

New president Daymien Clydesdale is thrilled to be taking over the helm of the Kiama club.

"I have always been on committees and my father was president of the club I played for in Canberra, so it is something I wanted to do," Clydesdale said.

"This is my sixth season with Kiama and I'll be also making a comeback to the playing field after a knee reconstruction, so I really can't wait to get stuck in," he said.

Kiama open their season on April 11 at home against Shamrocks.