The Hawks have added three more players it expects to bolster its first XI.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Jake Eyers comes across from Napoleons-Sebastopol, spin bowling all-rounder Chris Jerram joins from Buangor, where he captained the side to the Grampians Cricket Association first grade grand final while he also represented the under-21 Vic Country team. All-rounder Brad Carrigg has also come on board.

The trio join Englishmen Lewis Hodgins, who is expected to open the batting.

East Ballarat coach Tristan Dixon, who will also be like a new recruit after playing just four matches last year, said there was plenty of excitement around the club following the fruitful off-season which could see up to seven different faces from the Hawks’ first XI that took on Ballarat-Redan in the final round of last season.

“We feel like we’ve built our depth considerably, but also improved our quality – which is the exciting part,” Dixon said.

“We haven’t just brought in more players, they’re really good people and they’ll bring a really good energy to the club.

“Those guys have come from clubs that have been successful...it’s definitely exciting to bring in those guys.”

East Ballarat finished sixth last season, with four wins.

Dixon said there was too much fluctuation in the side’s performance last year and this off-season would help to amend that.

Dixon added that he expected the new recruits to not only add to the side’s on-field performance, but help build a competitive environment at training given the hot pursuit for spots in the top side.

“We acknowledge that we were competitive at a high-level at times (last year), but we also dropped away and we didn’t have that consistency. With the new faces pushing guys to really compete at training, hopefully it should translate to us being competitive for longer stretches on Saturdays.”

East Ballarat will face Golden Point in round one on October 6.