The Roos were beaten grand finalists in 2012 and made the finals again last year but, like every other team in the competition over the past two years, they are yet to figure out a way to tame the Lions.

The 2014 season signals a changing of the guard for the club, with a number of new faces stepping in to coaching roles.

Paul Hennock will replace Gus McDonald as first grade head coach, bringing with him a wealth of experience.

A level two coach who guided Narromine to a premiership in recent seasons, Hennock also brings with him a refereeing background which should help the side when it comes to discipline.

He will be aided by Scott Vaughan, who was a no-nonsense back-rower with the club for a number of years and assistant coach of the club's second grade squad last season.

Vince Gordon and Gerald Webster will look after the club's second grade side, with Gordon looking to bring his success in junior rugby to the seniors.

He has previously coached the Roos second grade side before and with Webster, a club great, working with the forwards it is expected the club will continue to have great depth.

The most promising appointment for the Roos though could come in the Colts, with Adam Dubois set to take the reins of the club's next crop of stars.

Dubois came through the Sydney GPS system and has recently arrived in Dubbo from Merewether, where he was rugby manager.

A former player with Eastern Suburbs and Hamilton Hawks, Dubois won Newcastle premierships as a player in 2009, 2010 and 2013 as well as coaching the Merewether under-16s side to the finals in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Tonight's training session will be held on the oval at St John's College and will start at 6pm.