Elphick said in November he "won't be making any major changes after the Hawks fell one game short of the decider last year with a preliminary final loss to Lake Albert.

Elphick expects only three changes of note to the team, including a player he coached in the Queensland Premier League.

"We've got some new faces and all the older guys are still here at the club. I think we've lost a couple to uni, but we've gained a few," Elphick said.

"We'll see what happens with the other teams like Yoogali (whose submission for entry into the league was denied), but I haven't made too many changes.

"I've just filled the holes that need filling. We've been training once a week for three weeks, and I won't up the ante until February."

Elphick said a later start to the season and "easing up a bit at training" have been the major adjustments.

"We almost kicked off in February up in Queensland, so that's taken a bit of adjusting," he said.

"It's amateur league and it's about having fun, and I'm coming here to try and develop players and get them to play quality football so we can improve the league.

"I'm kind of disappointed they didn't let the other Griffith team in because I think it would give a different element to the league again, but obviously they mustn't be quite ready.

"Our training sessions are different to everyone else's but the boys have adjusted to it and are loving it.

"Hopefully we can get back to finals, but we'll be playing game to game."

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