The Magpies, which won just one game throughout all of their last campaign, have bolstered the playing stocks for coach Johno Leoncini's second year in charge.

And the most recent acquisitions are very exciting ones.

Brody Lawford and Barama Blow have both joined the club from Southern Football League side Bentleigh.

Leoncini said Lawford was a former Oakleigh Chargers player in the TAC Cup, who is a past Bentleigh best and fairest.

He said Blow arrived at Clunes following a successful playing history in the Northern Territory.

Both are expected to play through the midfield.

Another major signature is that of ex-Sunbury utility Jack Fenner.

Fenner, who played 11 senior matches for the Lions in 2018, is about 190cm and is likely to be used in key position roles.

This trio lands at Clunes on the back of news that both Reagan Maddaford and Brad Dolan had also joined from the Southern league.

Dolan is from St Pauls, while his friend Maddaford comes from Heatherton.

“Our expectations are simple: try and win every game with playing four quarters,” Leoncini told The Courier.

“As most sides are always building their lists, it’s important that we as a club continue to build and strengthen it as well.”

While there is plenty of hype at Clunes, Jesse Baird's likely departure is set to hurt the senior team.

Baird is a former captain of the club who represented the Central Highlands Football League at the AFL Victoria Community Championships last season.

Clunes, which avoided the wooden spoon with its solitary victory in round 17 last year, will open the 2019 campaign with a clash against Creswick on Saturday, March 30.

The Magpies then play their first home game of the year against Ballan the following weekend before having a bye in round three.