Longtime Heat players Scott Hare, Zac Maloney, Shaun Carter, Josh McPherson, Shannon Klein and Fletcher Petersen are among those returning.

New additions include former Heat player Joel Stankiewicz, local youngster Jacob Edwards and Young duo Jaydan Oliver and James Spirovski, while buzz is already building within the club at the prospect of their soon-to-be-announced import.

Towering centre Scott Hare, whose off-court eloquence lies in stark contrast with his on-court bulldozing tendencies, said expectations were sky high for his team. 

“I’ve been here for eight years and I believe this one of the best, if not the best, squad I’ve been a part of,” he said.

“We absolutely have the talent and the ability to win the whole thing.

“We’re certainly expecting to make the finals at the very least and anything short of that would be a disappointment.

“I don’t expect to lose too many games at all and there won’t be any excuses for that.”

Hare added that his side was primed to hit the ground running, with many of his teammates already fighting fit thanks to what is proving to be a highly active and eventful offseason.

Captain Zac Maloney has been keeping in top shape with German outfit Hamm Stars, Shannon Klein has worked his way back towards full health after breaking him arm last season and Hare himself has been busily winning gridiron championships with the University of Canberra.

“We’ve got guys coming back fitter, healthier and better than they’ve ever been,” Hare said.

Maloney’s return is a particularly big boost for the club, after the young captain told The Daily Advertiser late last month he would sit out the local season if he locked in a return to Germany for the second-half of the season.

But the talented guard has since confirmed his availability, saying lingering ankle and visa complications have likely ruled out an imminent return to Europe. 

A burning desire to win a championship with his hometown Heat also played into his decision.

But Maloney is still hoping to return to Hamm in time for the end of the German season, with his dominant club looking near certainties to win the title.

Back home, the Heat will resume training in the new year, having held their last session of the calendar year on Tuesday night.