As of this year, the Roosters development (reserves) team no longer exists, and Lakers coach Gavin Webb is hopeful a number of players formerly in the team will shine in the blue, green and gold.

Among the North Ballarat VFL players Webb hopes will run out for Lake Wendouree this year are Tom Carey, Ash Simpson and Lucas Anderson.

Carey (two games) and Simpson (four games) both played a handful of matches for the Lakers last year, while Anderson returns from a year at Donald in the North Central Football League.

“The Roosters guys are really going to make a big difference,” Webb said.

“You look at the experience they have and the calibre of footballers they are and they can only help.”

Technically still signed on with North Ballarat, there is no guarantee the trio will be available every week; they will still be eligible for VFL call-ups.

“We’re hoping they can play with us but obviously if these guys get some senior VFL games then that’s great,” Webb said.

Entering his third year at the helm of the club, Webb said his club had been able to retain the vast majority of its playing list from last year, with the obvious exception of former captain Tim Malone, who has jumped ship to Springbank in the CHFL.

Aside from that, it will be a very similar outfit at Wendouree Reserve in 2014.

“We’re still very young and you could see towards the end of last year that there were certainly improvements,” Webb said.

“If we sneak into finals that would be great, realistically that is probably where we are at.”

patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au