Rea: Broncos have the right blend

London Broncos manager Tony Rea is aiming for a top-four finish in the new Super League season which starts tomorrow.

Last year Rea stepped in as caretaker coach, insisting he didn't want the job permanently.

But tomorrow the former Broncos hooker sends his new-look side out at The Valley against Leeds, having vacated his chief executive's desk for good.

The Broncos have bought well in the close season and the new faces include New Zealand captain Richie Barnett from Sydney Roosters, new Broncos skipper Jason Hetherington from Canterbury Bulldogs and Jim Dymock from Parramatta.

And two old favourites are back at the club - Tony Mestrov from Wigan and Tony Martin from Melbourne Storm.

But perhaps most exciting is the rise of Olu Iwenofu and Ugandan-born Yusuf Sozi who have graduated through the Academy ranks. The two 19-year-olds both went to Crown Woods School in Eltham and Iwenofu took up the sport after Rea visited the school.

Rea said: "We have a blend of youth and experience. We've players like club captain Steele Retchless, who have been here a long time and have a passion for the place and we have the youngsters coming through. There's a real cause for optimism.

"We don't regard this season as a make or break - I don't believe in that. But we are coming off 11th place last season and we know we've got a lot of work to do.