Kyneton is hoping more depth in its squad will help it match the stronger teams in Bendigo Football League.
The Tigers finished sixth last season after being knocked out in the first week of finals, and coach Luke Beattie said boosting the squad in the off-season was a key.
“One of the strategies was to have greater depth in the 22 and further,” Beattie said. “We had five or six really top end players, which is good.
“But, towards the bottom of the team, we seemed to drop away. I think we’ve had some great development over the off-season and have more depth in both our ones and twos.
“We’ll also have a little bit of a different game structure, and the players’ fitness has improved.”
The Tigers initially lost more players than they gained.
“I guess at the start we thought we were losing players consistently,” Beattie said.
“The likes of Alik Magin, Jordan Collins, Jake Hyland, Joel Stevenson and Ben Weightman … all left the club.
“The tide then turned, and we’ve got some good people into the club.”
Among newcomers are Hamish and Joshua Govan, Ethan Foreman, Jarrod Andreatta, Nick Higginson, Jarrod Witnish, Daniel Davie, Jonno Nash and Leigh Warne.
Former Kyneton coach and AFL player Nathan Thompson returned to the club after his family moved back to the area.
“We’re good mates, and he has been outstanding support,” Beattie said. “He has assisted in the recruitment and been instrumental in developing the list, along with football manager Rick Egan.
“To have his experience and friendship is a great thing, along with his family back at the club.”
Just when the Tigers thought their recruiting was over, a call came in from Weightman saying he, too, was back.
Beattie coached the side from round 15 last year after the club sacked Mark Adamson. A Tigers’ premiership player, Beattie has previously coached Daylesford and was assistant coach in Sunbury Lions’ 2012 premiership.
