An influx of senior players have been lured to Creswick for what coach Ryan Knowles hopes is a season to remember for the Central Highlands Football League club.
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Knowles has committed to another campaign as head coach of the Wickers, which he is desperate to take to finals for the first time since 2013.
"The aim for every club is finals, which is our aim next season," Knowles said.
"We are a very young group and have now been together a few years so we are looking for improvement from all the playing group."
Among the key signings for the Wickers so far include forward/onballer Brad Munro, who joins from Rokewood-Corindhap where he had planned to play in 2020, and ex-Sebastopol pair Jack Mason and Kadek Irvan, who are expected to bolster the half-back/wing and midfield departments respectively.
Max Phillips (Ballan), Luke Hughes (Nyora) and Lachlan McKenzie (Carisbrook) appear other standout recruits, while Rhiley McKinnis (Ararat), Brydon Beckwith (Hallam) and Alex Moore (Powelltown) are also exciting additions.
"We think we have added a lot more depth in the midfield and forward end of the ground, now it's about getting the fitness base back after a year off, which has been a positive with between 30-40 on the track each week since early November," Knowles told The Courier.
Knowles took over the coaching role for season 2017, replacing Damian Lubeek in the role.
The Creswick senior side has been unable to finish any better than 12th on the ladder under Knowles, who played a handful of first grade games in 2019. He was also part of the club's breakthrough reserves premiership last year thanks to a grand final win over Springbank.
With the 2021 Central Highlands Football League fixture now out, the Wickers are planning for a round one trip to take on Clunes on Saturday, April 17. A week later, the Wickers are at home for the first time against Learmonth.
