Woodward won't sacrifice that aggressive style of play as he aims to take his team to the semi finals and beyond this season.

The team faces Macquarie Hotel in the first round on Saturday. The Macca is the side which knocked Pirates out of contention last season.

"They will be tough," Woodward said.

"But it's a good gauge of where we're at so early in the season."

He has high hopes for a couple of new faces in the Pirates this season. Isaac Trow is a left-handed quick, which is rare in the competition these days.

Woodward hoped the 16-year-old could start with a bang as batsman wouldn't be used to facing those kinds of deliveries.

"He provides a different angle," Woodward said.

Nick Bartlett is back again this weekend, and Tom Germon has come up from second grade to join the pace attack. Germon is another youngster who will be in first grade for plenty of years to come.

Although he's not quite as fast as Bartlett yet, Germon wouldn't be far off, according to Woodward.

"In a couple of years," he said.

"He's nice and tall, and gets good bounce."

Ryan Johnson will provide the spin this season. He took wickets cheaply in the semi loss to Macquarie last season.

"If he continues to show that sort of form, he'll have a good season," Woodward said.

Shane Williams and Paul Stait are the vice captains this season. They, along with the likes of Peter Colver and Mark Jackson, will provide the much needed experience.

The team has lost James Terrett, but Woodward said that provided a young gun with the chance to step up and make a mark on the firsts team.

The Pirates have been training since June, and Woodward said that would pay off with a good performance against Macquarie in the one-dayer this weekend.

The competition kicks off with five one-dayers. The first two-dayer will be in round six.

See Friday's Port News for more on the first round.