Now, the Macquarie Hotel Sharks are hoping their blueprint to success hits the right note in tomorrow’s Hastings League grand final at Wauchope’s Lank Bain Sporting Complex.

All that’s standing between them and glory is the Kendall Blues.

Over the past few seasons, the Sharks have attempted to find the right balance in the quest to claim an elusive title.

In 2008, under the leadership of captain-coach George Jones, it appears as though their homework will finally bear fruit.

“We went close last year, only to fall at the final hurdles,” Jones told the Port News.

“This time around, the mix of experience and skill we’ve assembled should get us home.”

And so, an eclectic group – with backgrounds at the Port Macquarie Sharks, Port City Breakers, Tacking Point, Beechwood, Crescent Head, Wauchope RSL, Lake Cathie, Wilson River, Long Flat and Comboyne – has joined forces to win the club’s first crown since 1999.

“I guess it’s a motley crew,” Jones admitted with a laugh.

“However, they’ve gelled together over the past eight months to not only reach the decider but remain unbeaten along the way.

“The guys have worked really hard and a premiership victory would be a fitting reward.”

Of the 20-man squad, only four – fullback Steve Bowes, forward Adam Ogston, utility Steve Adams and back Tony Fell – have played all their local football with Macquarie Hotel.

The others – Sam Dungay (Sharks, Tacking Point), Josh Jones (Beechwood, Tacking Point), Colin Holten (Beechwood, Tacking Point), Deon Glassie (Sharks, Breakers), Mitch Walker (Crescent Head), Nick Knox (Wauchope RSL, Comboyne), Nigel Stonham (Sharks), Shaun Morley (Lake Cathie, Breakers), Adam Bailey (Lake Cathie), Rod Brown (Lake Cathie, Breakers), Steve Wells (Lake Cathie), George Jones (Wilson River, Beechwood, Tacking Point, Crescent Head), Grant Arndell (Sharks, Beechwood, Tacking Point), Dennis Hollis (Comboyne, Long Flat, Beechwood, Wauchope RSL), Luke Smith (Breakers) and Dave Bradburn (Lake Cathie) – have plied their respective trades as various clubs.

“In the end, all roads lead to Macquarie Hotel,” Jones said.

“And, hopefully, that path will adorn success tomorrow afternoon.”

Tomorrow’s program:

1pm: Bun Hayward Cup

Beechwood Shamrocks v Port Macquarie Boardriders (referee Peter Dorrington; touch judges Gordon Hunt, Rod Copp)

3.10pm: Hastings League

Macquarie Hotel Sharks v Kendall Blues (referee Ron Kerr; touch judges Cameron Grace, Graham Riethmuller; in goal officials Gordon Hunt, Peter Dorrington; interchange Rod Copp)