While so close to a premiership last season, the side will face an up hill battle to seek redemption, with a high turnover of players in the off-season.

READ MORE SPORT:

Club president Greg Stewart told The Courier only five or six players from the grand final side will return this season.

There will be tough competition at the top-end of the ladder, with fellow finalists from last season Victoria, BMS and Sebastopol all remaining in a strong position ahead of the season kick-off.

What Ballarat can take into the season is its 'fight with its backs against the wall' mentality.

Heading into the finals last season, Ballarat had the worst shots differential of the top four sides at +68.

It meant little come finals time, Ballarat able to fight out a tough six-shot win over minor premiers BMS.

In the grand final, it trailed eventual premiers Victoria all day, but refused to quit, fighting back to nearly steal the unlikeliest of wins, eventually losing just 54-60.

The Courier caught up with Stewart to chat about the season ahead.

A - Our green only opened last week, so with all the weather and COVID and lockdowns, we only got actually onto our grass I think it was last Thursday ... it's been pretty hampered, put it that way.

A - Everybody's keen to get back out and to play. But again, we haven't been able to see everybody for so long and we're only just starting to get people back now. From the feelings that we're getting, people just want to get on with it and get out there and play.

A - Our Premier side this year's going to look very different. We've lost probably half-a-dozen players, I think there's only five or six of us from last year's grand final side that will be playing.

A - Victoria's going to be the side again, they were very strong last year and they won the flag. Linton, they've been very competitive, they're one to watch. Sebas, they're close, up-and-down as well, so probably your Victoria's, Linton, BMS will be up there again I suppose.

A - Given the last couple of seasons, I think probably Linton. They only just missed out again last year and they've had I think two years in Premier, so I think probably Linton.

A - Our expectation really this year is just to be competitive and just to get out there each week and do the best we can. Of course we want to make the finals, our aim would be top four, but just being competitive during the year, that's our aim, having a season re-building really, if you want to look at it that way.

A - We've got a big personnel change, so really to improve it's just to give these guys that are going to come up from the lower division, give them the experience and improve their game as well and go from there, I suppose.

Ladder position: Fourth

Record: +68 shots, 141 points

Semi final: defeated BMS 57-51

Grand final: defeated by Victoria 54-60

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.