"I've been getting some good feedback from locals - Macquarie is their football team and if we can start winning a few games and get competitive I'm sure they'll support us," coach Noel Dent said.

The Scorpions finished eighth last season with Dent coming on board as coach midway through the year.

With a stronger competition looming in 2012, Dent has started to rebuild the club's playing strength from the bottom up, starting with the juniors.

"Macquarie made the grand final in the 17s and we were always competitive in the 15s and 16s so we have a pretty good nursery to build on," he said.

"Our young players have showed their mettle in first grade and in our last game of the season nine of the 13 Macquarie players were juniors."

Already, the club has made some key signings for 2012.

They are headed by Maitland's premiership-winning halfback Mick Moran, Central Coast Centurions lock or five-eighth Simon Allen, former Roosters under-20 centre Nathan Cantor, and last season's Aberdeen captain-coach Shane Hasselman.

Former Maitland, Newcastle Knights and Melbourne Storm prop Danny Vaughan, and centre Jared Edwards have signed two-year contracts, while forwards Blake Gallen and Jye Bailey have been retained on one-year deals.

Vaughan was recently named Newcastle and Macquarie Player of the Year.

"Danny has been tremendous for Macquarie," Dent said.

"But we have several talented juniors in our ranks including prop Zac Kosiack, 18, utility back Royce Jeffries, 19, and outside back Clayton Carey, 20."

Macquarie secretary Stephen Woodbridge said 130 players, supporters and sponsors attended the club's presentation night to see Vaughan named Player of the Year.

Centre Jared Edwards was named Newcastle Rugby League's top try scorer with 17 tries from only 18 games, and his performances were noticed by Knights coach Rick Stone who invited Edwards to train with Central Coast Centurions.

Randall Briggs and Ryan Houston picked up the Rookie of the Year, and Junior of the Year awards, respectively.

Houston was also named best back.