New Macquarie coach Adam Bettridge has recruited strongly for the 2016 Newcastle rugby league season.

Scott Briggs, Joe Leighton, Matt Simon and Shane Beale have joined the Scorpions from Bettridge’s former club Souths, while Abraham joins Macquarie from Kurri Kurri.

“We deliberately went out to sign new players as we needed to improve our depth as we struggled to be competitive in the lower grades,” Bettridge said.

“And I think we’ve done that successfully with the return of Scott Briggs and Daniel Abraham, both former Scorpions juniors, and there will be competition for all spots in the squads.”

The coach has been impressed by the numbers and attitude at the club’s pre-season training sessions.

More than 60 players have been attending the tough hit-outs in very warm conditions.   

Macquarie football secretary Steve Woodbridge said the club was also rapt to learn that Scorpions players Andrew Sumner, Josh Schmiedel, Blake Gallen, Scott Briggs and Matt Hay had been selected in the Newcastle Rebels representative squad to contest the Country Divisional Championships this year.

“This is a fantastic result for the players and the club, and is recognition for the efforts put in by the players in 2015,” Woodbridge said.

Macquarie will have its first trial of 2016 at Tamworth against the Group 4 representative team on Saturday, February 27.  

Bettridge said the match would be a serious hit-out for his players, and should provide the club’s coaching staff with a guide on the fitness levels of the squad.  

The Scorpions have also scheduled trials at Lyall Peacock Field, Toronto, against Central Coast teams Kincumber on Saturday, March 5, and The Entrance on Saturday, March 19.

The Scorpions final trial game will be against Western Suburbs at Dora Creek on Saturday, April 2.

The premiership will kick off on Saturday, April 16.  

Macquarie’s first two games of the season will be away fixtures as Lyall Peacock Field undergoes maintenance and rye grass treatment.