Melton coach Brad Murphy knows the drill at this time of year … every team is training the house down and every player is primed for their best season yet.
And the Ballarat Football League outfit is no different, with a fully fit squad and personal-best training times featuring on the playing list.
But Murphy also knows a strong off- season is just the start of Melton’s bid to climb back to the top of the ladder.
“I think every coach in the league thinks it’s going alright, but it’s a bit dangerous to talk about how well you’re going,” he said.
“A couple of injuries or a bit of bad luck will probably hurt us more than other clubs as we don’t bat as deep as some others.
“We’re under no illusions we’re coming from a long way back. Having said that, the boys are in good form.”
Melton had a tough 2015 campaign, the club finishing ninth on the ladder with just three wins.
From that squad, Jarryd Ramsay, Murphy Watt and Brayden Sneddon won’t be back at the Bloods as they’ve returned to their former club, Hoppers Crossing.
They will be replaced by ruckman Mark Maric, of the Essendon District Football League, and former VFL player Jack Walker.
Walker has been at Williamstown for the past four years and is a development league premiership player at the Seagulls.
Melton will also welcome back captain Jake Gleeson, who missed most of last season through injury.
The club is still searching for one final piece in its recruiting puzzle.
“We haven’t been able to secure the big full forward who will give us 60 goals in a season,” Murphy said.
“Instead, we’re going to have to look at three or four who can kick 25.
“We’re still in talks with a forward who has played at a higher level and has regularly kicked more than 40 a season.
“If we could secure someone like him, it would top us off really nicely.”
The Bloods will kick off their 2016 campaign against local rival Melton South after practice matches against Western Region Football League division 1 clubs Wyndhamvale and Albion and against Riddell District’s Macedon.
Murphy said the club had targeted tough pre-season opponents.
“We want to be able to test ourselves,” he said.
