GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong coach Luke Sicker is confident the Lions have enough improvement inside the group to push forward next season.
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The Lions are yet to strike a blow in the off-season but remain in talks with several prospective recruits as they look to return to finals in 2017.
Sicker said the lack of new signatures was not ideal but he is certainly not panicking about his list for next season.
“We haven’t really done too well yet,” Sicker said.
“We haven’t lost anyone so far, but haven’t really gained anyone either.
“There is still a couple we’re talking to.”
GGGM boast two of the biggest strike weapons in the competition in James Lawton and Jacob Olsson, along with quality running players in Curtis Steele, Jordan Bates and Sicker.
It was in the depth department where GGGM struggled this year and Sicker is confident the club’s next generation will be better for this season’s experience.
“We’ve obviously got a really young group and picking up a couple won’t hurt,” Sicker said.
“But we think we need improvement from within what we’ve got. If we don’t pick up anyone, I’m still confident of improvement purely from our young kids, now that they have extra games and that year under their belt.”
Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes, Collingullie-Glenfield Park and Turvey Park already shape as the big movers after strong starts to the recruitment stakes over the off-season.
Sicker expects next year’s competition to be extremely even.
“There is probably not any sides now that don’t think they can win it,” he said.
“There would no real side thinking they’re in for a long year. Everyone is in with a chance, which will make the competition even stronger.”
After missing out on finals, Sicker said the Lions will shortly begin pre-season training.
He explained that an early finish will translate into an early start for his group.
"We’ll definitely do a month before Christmas,” he said.
“Not playing finals, and having the bye in the last round means we’ve had an extra five weeks off compared to Tigers and Leeton.”
Meantime, Wagga Tigers are set to be without premiership ruckman Brad Graham next season.
Graham is set to move to Melbourne, joining Dale Walker and John Anstee as likely departures.