Creswick endured a frustrating campaign under first-year coach Ryan Knowles in 2017.
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The Wickers were competitive in most matches during the year, but returned just four wins for all of their hard work.
Most disappointing was the fact they were in winning positions on a number of occasions before suffering defeat.
In all, Creswick lost four matches by less than 10 points and drew its clash with Ballan.
It comes as no surprise that Knowles has worked hard during the pre-season to try eliminate the reasons behind those narrow losses.
“Finishing off the games better – that was the thing we spoke about after the season,” Knowles told The Courier.
“They (the playing group) wanted a bigger pre-season to get fitter so that’s what we have focused on this year. Also hanging onto the footy and our ball movement.”
Knowles admitted it was a frustrating 2017 campaign for the playing group.
“The whole group was probably a bit frustrated having that many close games and in the end your season looks no good because you’ve only won four games,” he said.
The club’s headline recruit is Ricky Cummins, who has joined Creswick as a playing assistant to Knowles.
Cummins has arrived from Bungaree, where he played in the Demons’ 2014 Central Highlands Football League premiership.
Other key inclusions are Brad Jennings and Pat Taranto, who are expected to bolster the small forward and defensive stocks respectively.
Big things are also hoped from talented youngster Liam Blake. He is set to make the full time step up to senior football after playing three games with the side in 2017.
The significant departure during the off-season has been that of Caleb Hepworth.
The former Wickers skipper has been a key figure through the midfield in recent years and collected 10 votes in the Geoff Taylor Medal count last year.
“That means someone else has got to stand up from the leadership that he had. He has been captain for the last five years,” Knowles said.
“Others have got to step up and spread the load instead of relying on him doing it every week.”
Q: What do you see as your key on-field strength?
I think we are fitter this year than last.
Q: What is your key message as coach in 2018?
To focus on our pressure across the ground when we don’t have the footy, then to take the game on by moving ball quickly.
Q: How have the pre-season preparations gone?
It has been a bigger pre-season so hopefully we are fitter and quicker, which will hopefully help finish off games better.
Q: Which player are you most excited about?
Probably the young blokes coming up. We are so young and I'm looking forward to developing them.
Q: Which is the team to beat this season?
Beaufort, Springbank, Buninyong and Hepburn will probably be the top four sides.
The Wickers’ Fact File
COACH
Ryan Knowles (returning)
2017 SEASON
12th position
Four wins, one draw, 11 losses
Leading goal-kicker: Clinton Robinson, 27 goals
Best and fairest: Liam Hepworth
Geoff Taylor Medal top vote-getters: Caleb Hepworth 10, Aaron Hepworth 7, Liam Hepworth 7, Matt Miller 4, Jack Marshman 3, Aaron Sedgwick 2, Mitchell Arnold 2, Paul Phillips 1, Timothy Rieniets 1, Ryan Pompe 1
KEY ARRIVALS
Ricky Cummins (Bungaree), Brad Jennings (Learmonth), Pat Taranto (Lake Wendouree)
KEY DEPARTURES
Caleb Hepworth (Lake Wendouree)
THE FIXTURE
R1: Carngham-Linton (h)
R2: Clunes (a)
R3: Smythesdale (h)
R4: Learmonth (a)
R5: Newlyn (h)
R6: Daylesford (a)
R7: Bungaree (h)
R8: Gordon (a)
R9: Buninyong (h)
R10: Ballan (a)
R11: Dunnstown (h)
R12: Beaufort (a)
R13: Hepburn (h)
R14: Waubra (a)
R15: Rokewood-Corindhap (h)
R16: Skipton (a)
R17: Springbank (h)
THE VERDICT
Creswick was competitive last season under Ryan Knowles, but only managed four wins against sides that finished no higher than eighth on the table.
It appears as though it will be a similar story in 2018.