A 3-2 start to the Central Highlands Football League season was a positive one for Learmonth's young brigade.
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Considering its two losses were by a combined five points, the case could have been made that the Lakies should have enjoyed a 5-0 start to their year.
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Fast forward to the end of round 17 and Learmonth finished the season 3-8, however, like Daylesford one spot above it on the ladder, the competitiveness throughout the season was on show.
It faced four finalists on the way home and while the scoreboard did not flatter the Lakies in most of these games, the exposure their young list received to senior football was invaluable.
For coach Nick Willox, the development of his young core was the key objective of the season.
"I think we got out of the year exactly what we needed to, which was experience into the kids and developing our game plan," he told The Courier.
"Even our experienced blokes like Jimmy Laidlaw in the middle, he was brand new, Tommy McKechnie in the ruck, brand new.
"So in terms of what we wanted to get out of the year, I think we achieved that well and truly."
As the side looks towards 2022, the jump into the top eight feels like an achievable one.
"You look at the Skipton game, we lost one quarter by 40 points and we lost the game by 43 and they're a top six team, pushing a top four team," Willox said.
"If we can continue that trend I don't think finals is out of the question, that's what our aim is.
"Especially if we can top up with a few bigger bodies and keep developing our plan."
One bigger body the Lakies will be without next season is James Pratt.
The forward was Learmonth's most consistent player, topping the goalkicking tally and featuring in the top 10 of The Courier's Central Highlands player of the year award.
Willox said the majority of the rest of the list is re-signed for 2022.
"You need that consistency, something I have't had while I've been there coaching," he said.
"Everyone's keen, on board. Overall the culture of the group's really good and we just need to get the results on the field now."
Record
3-8, 27.27 per cent games won, 77.18 traditional percentage
Ladder position
13th
Leading goalkicker
James Pratt (20)
Season
Round one: defeated by Rokewood-Corindhap 11.8 (74) - 11.10 (76)
Round two: defeated Creswick 13.9 (87) - 5.5 (35)
Round three: defeated Ballan 17.24 (126) - 6.5 (41)
Round four: defeated by Clunes 6.10 (46) - 7.7 (49)
Round five: bye
Round six: defeated Daylesford 9.9 (63) - 8.13 (61)
Round nine: defeated by Skipton 7.5 (47) - 13.12 (90)
Round 10: defeated by Bungaree 5.7 (37) - 7.13 (55)
Round 11: defeated by Springbank 4.4 (28) - 12.13 (85)
Round 12: defeated by Newlyn 9.7 (61) - 11.11 (77)
Round 15: defeated by Dunnstown 6.2 (38) - 14.11 (95)
Round 17: defeated by Hepburn 3.4 (22) - 22.19 (151)
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