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That is what Yarroweyah football co-coaches Geoff Benson and Andy Jones want to see moving forward into the new Picola and District Football League season.
A busy off-season has seen faces — old and new — bolster the Hoppers’ list as the side looks to improve on last season’s tally of just two wins.
And Benson said the team will have a different feel when it hosts Tocumwal in the opening game of the season.
‘‘We’ve recruited close to 25 new senior players to a squad from last season,’’ he said.
‘‘When the boys run out on Saturday, there could be up to 11 new players from the round 18 side last year.
‘‘That just shows how heavily we focused on bringing guys to the club, but it’s great that 15 of the guys have played here before.’’
Ruckman Tim Atkins, recruited from St Albans, west of Melbourne, headlines the players to join the Hoppers during the preseason, while returning youngsters have caught the eye of Benson during the summer.
‘‘We went heavily after a ruckman because we haven’t had a dominant force in the middle for around eight to 10 years,’’ Benson said.
‘‘Last year we struggled to win clearances and, by bringing in Tim, it will allow our midfield to step up a level given we’ve added a couple of other players in that area of the ground.
‘‘Young guys like Corey Percy and Ian Oliver who have both returned to the club have definitely impressed.’’
But given all the fresh faces, Benson said the players have coped well with the changes.
‘‘The guys from last year and the new players have all brought into what we are trying to do — honesty has been the most important aspect of the entire process,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve been open with the playing group the entire way through and they’ve been just as honest in their feedback.
‘‘Giving the players the chance to speak to us has really made things much smoother.’’
It is not only the seniors and reserves who have been impacted by the boost in numbers, with the club set to field an under-17s side after failing to field a team last year.
And Benson suggested some of the younger guys would be ready to make the step up to the senior grade.
‘‘Numbers have been really healthy for the younger age groups,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s great for the club because juniors are so important in the present and future, a few of the guys may well feature in the ones at some point during the season.’’
Benson said a season with between six and 10 victories would be a successful season for the Hoppers.
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