After a dramatic end to its 2015-16 finals bid, Darley sat atop of the BCA ladder as it entered the final round of the season but as results panned out its 13-run loss to eventual premier Golden Point saw it drop from first to fifth.

Coach Heath Pritchard is adamant his side isn’t far off the very best teams and highlighted the round 13 loss to Golden Point as a prime example of its ability to match it with the top sides.

But he said it was vital the Lions improved its batting line-up.

Pritchard felt the recruitment of Sri Lankan import Hasitha Wickramasinghe and the return of Lachlan Herring would naturally bolster its batting credentials.

He also expected to see the improvement come from within, with the likes of Jake Wilkie, Brad Barnes and Zac Ticehurst all earmarked for key roles.

“We’re certainly not that far off,” Pritchard said.

“We’ve just got to bat better. I think our bowling is as good as any team in the competition. Our bowling is clearly good enough, we’ve just got to improve our batting to make sure we’ve got scores on the board that are easier for our bowlers to defend.”

Pritchard said the side was now better placed to go deep into the BCA season than last year and welcomed the pressure of the expectation.

Following the devastating near-miss of last year’s finals, he said finals was the clear aim for the club.

“We think we’re as strong if not a little stronger than last year and certainly looking to take the next step.

“Last year we came from a fair way back so we might of surprised some teams, now teams will be expecting a fairly competitive Darley unit.

“Good sides want that pressure and we certainly want it.

“It’s about playing finals, it’s about taking the next step.”

Darley looks unlikely to retain its two English imports Rick Moore and Harry Killoran. Killoran will not play for the Lions in 2016-17 while the club is still awaiting a final decision on Moore.