Langbridge was speaking after his team outclassed an undermanned Western Surburbs 40-6 last weekend to bring their record to five wins from six matches.

It leaves the Pickers in second place behind Central, and ahead of Macquarie in third - the two teams they meet over the next two rounds in what should be outstanding games.

"There are areas we need to improve for sure, but it has been a very positive start overall," Langbridge said.

"And you never start at your best anyway ... you build into a season.

"The Presidents Cup win last season has given us plenty of confidence and self belief, but it has also put a target on our backs.

"It's a really hard competition this year with the Central Coast clubs in it, and sides like Central, Macquarie and Cessnock all rebuilding.

"Even the couple of blowout scores we've had ... I've been sore and bruised after the game. It's tough football."

While Langbridge is happy to admit his team is a long way short of where it will need to be at this stage, other teams see them as the benchmark.

Cessnock coach Todd Edwards says he believes they are the strongest side out there, and after the Wests victory, Rosellas coach Todd Lowrie agreed with him.

"Maitland are a good side and they're doing things really well," Lowrie said after the game. "They've got a good roster with some experienced players. I think they've shown themselves to be the team to beat this season."

The fact the Pickers have been able to maintain their spine - hooker Alex and his brother Daniel Langbridge at fullback, and halves Chad O'Donnell and Brock Lamb - has been a key part of their success.

"I think we know that if one of us has a quiet game, there's plenty of creativity in the other guys anyway," Alex Langbridge added.

"We know we are capable of scoring points. It's about making sure we do the hard work in the forwards, that we keep pushing forward, building momentum, and are patient with the ball. That's something we talk about all the time.

"If we do that we're hard to beat because we have a lot of strikepower across the park."

The fact two of the team's most damaging attacking players, forward Pat Mata'utia and centre Jarom Haines, have barely figured so far is testament to the quality they have to call on.

For now, above all else, Langbridge wants to see no easing of the team's work ethic at training.

"Everyone is hyped at the start of the season, but that's gone now. At the same time the semis are still a long way off, it's starting to get cold ... it would be easy to let your standards slip, even if just a little.

"I want to make sure that doesn't happen, and we keep working to improve. Do that and we're a force."

Whatever happens, after Macquarie and Central, things will be a whole lot clearer.