Last season, the Bears’ first grade team finished 12th and one win away from the final six.
Parkinson said the teams had stronger depth this year.
“We have to field 44 seniors and we have around about 55 on our list which means some people are not going to play the first couple of rounds but that is good,” he said.
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READ NOW“Selections are made every game and it is based on performance, so if they are performing in second grade, they most certainly can play first grade.”
Parkinson said there two first grade players were returning to boost the squad this season.
“We are still a pretty young group, probably one of the youngest in the competition… the more games they play, the more experience they get,” he said.
“We are reasonably confident that we will make finals this year.”
Parkinson said the first team’s captain Liam O’Connor signed on with the Warriors but they had players to cover him.
“He is already training with the Warriors…he is a quality leg-spinner and he no doubt would get opportunities at some point during the year,” he said.
“He was only captain since last year and he really grew into the role and I think he will be better even still for another year.
“I would not say we have anybody in our first grade that should not be aiming for the next level, otherwise they would not be playing first grade.”
He said wicketkeeper Josh Philippe would miss three weeks due to injury.