North Wagga coach Cayden Winter is optimistic the premiers will be well-placed to launch a title defence despite plenty of change in the off-season.
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The summer has seen more farewells than welcomes at McPherson Oval with a changing of the guard since the club's drought-breaking flag.
But Winter says the club's depth gives them a solid base - having played in the last four reserve grade grand finals, as well as the last two senior deciders - and there'll be plenty of opportunity for players to press their claims.
Among those are three new arrivals, each with different links to the club but a common goal to make the most of their chances.
Exciting young key position player option, Ky Hanlon makes the move from Northern Riverina League grand finalists Tullibigeal to join the club his older brother Josh played with in 2018.
"I haven't seen much of him play but from all reports he's a good swingman and I'm pretty excited about him, actually," Winter said.
"He can go through the ruck, full-back, centre-half-back or up forward as well."
Hanlon was among Tullibigeal's best in a third of their 15 games, including a best-on-ground effort with five goals against Ungarie.
He played a full season of seniors as well as half-a-dozen Under 17.5 games with the Northern Jets. But he isn't getting ahead of himself, expecting Farrer League first grade to be a significant step up.
Another option for ruck and key position roles is Drew Mitchell, returning to football after a couple of years off after playing alongside Winter at Tumbarumba.
"It's been a couple of years since my last game. I've normally played ruck or centre-half-back. I've been meaning to get here the last couple of years and Wiz convinced me this year," Mitchell, 25, said.
Also coming back after two years off is former Saint Rhyce Donely, 20, who is hoping to earn a spot on the wing.
"It's beautiful (after the club's success last year). It's a good vibe, everyone's up and about. Everyone wants to be here and learn and is excited," Doneley said.
The Saints have also welcomed back Steve Barnes. But their losses include Jimmy Morris, Tom Bennetts, Brayden Skeers, Jed Winter, Guy Ward, Lachlan Steward and, probably, Jake May.
"Yeah, I am (comfortable)," Winter said.
"We've got a lot of good young kids and blokes playing twos for the last few years that could've had an opportunity (in first grade). Guys that probably should've got an opportunity really, but we had a really good side."
North Wagga will have a pre-season game against Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes in mid-March.
They open their season against the Northern Jets on April 4.
For their part, new Jets coach Josh Avis is hopeful of unveiling another signing or two before that.
But right now, he's thrilled that they backed up ex-Jets star Sam Fisher's return with the signing of former Griffith Swan Toby Blissett.
"From what I've seen of Toby, he's pretty quick. He's clean and slick with the ball and could easily play as an outside midfielder for us, or play as an attacking half-back-flanker," Avis said.
Like Winter, Avis is settling in to the coaching job. He said the appointment of Brad McKinnon as assistant coach has been a huge help
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