The Renegades are still at least a fortnight away from appointing a replacement for Simon Helmot, who was axed as a result of the team reaching the finals only once in four attempts.

Following widespread breaches of the BBL contracting period last year, Cricket Australia agreed to bring the window forward. The repercussion of that is that the Renegades have had to make key decisions on the composition of their squad before settling on the person who will lead them.

Moody is not a candidate for the Renegades' position, owing to his responsibilities at the helm of Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and as director of the Caribbean Premier League, but chief executive Stuart Coventry said he had been vital for them.

"I think it's just timing. We didn't have much choice. It was a bit of a free-for-all with Big Bash recruiting and if we didn't get on the train and actually make it happen we might've missed out," Coventry said on Monday, as the first trade period formally opened.

"Tom is a very busy man ... he's got a lot of other things happening in his life [but] he really enjoys working with us and is a great asset for us ... I think he gets a kick out of, hopefully, putting a squad together that is successful."

The new coach, who is due to be appointed at some stage in March, will probably only have two vacancies in the squad to fill later in the year. "That's the circumstances unfortunately. We really had no choice but to go out and get it [recruitment] done, because of the way the contracting period works," Coventry said.

The first official move of the Renegades has been to trade Ben Rohrer to Sydney Thunder, with an eye to giving the left-hander more playing opportunities as he was set to lose his first-choice status next season. Joining Rohrer in leaving the Renegades are wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, who did not play a match in the past season, and opening batsman Alex Doolan, left-arm spinner Aaron O'Brien and chronically injured fast-bowler Jayde Herrick. Nevill, O'Brien and Doolan were first-choice players the preceding season.

Coventry lauded the positive impact of the departing players on dressing-room morale. The only confirmed contract news so far has been contract extensions for fast-bowlers James Pattinson and Peter Siddle, even though the former's availability is expected to be severely restricted due to international duty. "If James can play games it's always a bonus. He's a great athlete, terrific talent," Coventry said.

The chief executive declined to comment on speculation they had signed left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty, whose bowling would seemingly be well suited to their home venue, Etihad Stadium.

Coventry said it had not been hard to pitch to prospective domestic recruits. "Even though our [reputation for] on-field performances has been damaged in the past couple of years and probably not up to par, off-field we've really done well and stayed together and created a culture that's a great attraction," he said.

It is also believed the club has significantly changed its strategy for overseas players. Rather than elite players whose availability is impacted by international duty, it is believed the Renegades will focus on players available for the entire season.