The Makos achieved an association-first when they belted Orange 8-1 in last year's NSW State Cup men's 20s grand final.

Now the challenge for them 12 months down the track is to repeat the dose.

Once you've done it once, it becomes obvious how much effort and sacrifice goes into achieving the end product.

With 12 players backing up from their success, coach Peter Vincent can afford to be confident that their best touch football is capable of going all the way.

"I know if we play our best we're going to be hard to beat. That doesn't mean we can't be beaten ... we'll be hard to beat. It's about being able to play your best when you need to," Vincent said.

Port Macquarie, however, may be able to call on some recent experience in game conditions to help them along the way.

It may yet prove to be vital.

When COVID put an end to most competitions in Sydney during winter, the Makos kept going. It could be the difference if they get to the pointy end of next month's competition.

"We're fortunate here to have had a winter comp because none of the Sydney affiliates did," Vincent said.

"So a lot of our kids got a game and with the health orders, we started fitness first off and then got into touch training."

While luck plays an integral part in any level of success Vincent knows you can never be too prepared.

"It can be a bit of a lottery with the pools and the draw you get," he said.

"We feel we'll be competitive. Our most important game is the first game on Friday. We're not looking ahead, we're just going to take it game by game which is an old cliche.

"Too many things can happen if you don't."

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