It was a case of so close, yet so far for the Sunshine Coast Falcons last season, with the side just going down to premiers the PNG Hunters in a tense grand final clash last year.
This season, the side will be bursting with fresh talent and familiar faces from across the Intrust Super Cup joining the squad.
The connection to the Melbourne Storm remains strong, with Charlie Galo (who played in the Intrust Super Cup with the Tigers last season) committing on to the coast side full time; while promising forward Lachlan Timm has been signed by the NRL club.
Intrust Super Cup regulars Jack Kavanagh (CQ Capras), Mackenzie Reid (Tweed Heads Seagulls) and Lachlan Roe (Ipswich Jets) have also been included in the squad.
The full list of gains and losses is below. *
Sunshine Coast Falcons Gains and Losses
Gains: Charlie Galo (Melbourne Storm), Jacob Hind (St George Illawarra Dragons), Keelyn Tuuta Edwards (St George Illawarra Dragons), Ben Fritz (Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles), Brentt Warr (France), Jack Kavanagh (CQ Capras), Jake Ainsworth (Melbourne Storm NYC), William Toloi (Melbourne Storm NYC), Caleb Daunt (Melbourne Storm NYC), Matt Egan (Melbourne Storm NYC), Mackenzie Reid (Tweed Heads Seagulls), Lachlan Roe (Ipswich Jets), Kurt Aldridge (North Sydney), Liam Higgins (Souths Newcastle)
Losses: Lachlan Timm (Melbourne Storm), Jon Grieve (retired), Donald Malone (retired), Christian Morris (retired), Guy Hamilton (Souths Logan Magpies), Alex Bishop (Norths Devils), Tom Geraghty (Redcliffe Dolphins), Sam Wright (Norths Devils)
Where they finished in 2017: 4th (ladder position) (grand finalists)
2018 coach: Craig Ingebrigtsen
*Submissions made by clubs and correct at the time.
QRL Media have been featuring the Gains and Losses for the 2018 season for each of the Intrust Super Cup clubs in coming weeks. Stay tuned to QRL.com.au to see all the player movement.
2018 Intrust Super Cup Gains and Losses
Mackay Cutters
Burleigh Bears
Easts Tigers
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Redcliffe Dolphins
Souths Logan Magpies
Northern Pride
Ipswich Jets
Townsville Blackhawks
Tweed Heads Seagulls
Norths Devils
CQ Capras