The Mounties were beaten in the semi finals for the third time in four years after finishing equal second on the competition ladder last summer.

Burns said his focus would be on making sure his team is peaking come the pointy end.

"We've got a few things to improve, so hopefully we can finish off games properly and get ourselves in winning positions rather than having to come from behind," he said.

"We've changed up a couple of things and time will tell how it will work out.

"Obviously we are optimistic and hopefully it will help us get through to the next stage."

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Burns headlined a host of leadership changes during the off-season. After taking over from departing captain Darcy Thomson, the club appointed fellow players Jacob Smith and Steve Nicholson as coaches.

It followed a decision from Nathan Yates to step down from the role after suffering a brain aneurysm in July. Yates, a multiple time EJ Cleary Medal recipient, still hopes to take the pitch however.

"He's getting better, he's been walking most days and doing everything he can to get back on the park," Burns said.

"Just to have him present on the field will be a huge boost. Whether he's 100 per cent or not, if we've got him on the field it makes a massive difference."

Thomson, who took 27 wickets last season, will leave a sizable hole in the Mounties' bowling attack after leaving the club for East Ballarat. Despite the loss, Burns was confident the players remaining could fill the void.

"Instead of one bloke bowling x amount of overs, we'll have the rest of the group take on an extra work load," he said.

Thomson was one of two first eleven players to leave the club. Dylan Achison, who played four seasons at Mt Clear left to join forces with North Ballarat.

Otherwise, Burns will lead a squad largely unchanged into a year which will feature plenty of white-ball cricket.

"T20 may be implemented back into the season. We've been pretty strong in the shorter format, but it doesn't matter what style of cricket we play," he said.