The Koroit coach said yesterday he was betting on local talent for success at the Saints this year, but as for a grand final berth, he said he was taking one step at a time. "You don't want to look too far ahead," the 2009 Hampden premiership coach said. "We'll take one game at a time and hopefully be able to sneak in the finals and then we'll look at where we go from there."

Koroit lost two of its grand final players to the Warrnambool and District league this year.

Jarrod Gleeson will go to Old Collegians while Tim Carter will line up for Merrivale. There was speculation gun onballer Andrew Paton would hang up his boots, citing work commitments.

But McLaren was quick to quash any rumours about Paton's retirement.

"It's not true. He was at training this week.

"He'll play for us again." McLaren said Gleeson and Carter's departures presented opportunities to increase Koroit's depth. He said up-and-coming players would get the chance to step up to the senior ranks this season.

"We'll be able to develop a few more players. Under 18 players like James Keane and Sam McCosh will have a chance."

The club confirmed two new recruits yesterday. Former North Warrnambool player Tim Martin will make the journey west, while district league player, Old Collegians' assistant coach Justin Emms will join the Saints.

McLaren said there were several more new recruits, all of whom were from the local area. While he said bringing in players from outside the district could pay off , the club would continue to develop local talent.

"There are positives and negatives with both. Bringing in outside players can be refreshing for a club. But we have had success with local blokes for the past 10 years and we will keep doing this."

The Hampden league's 2010 home-and-away season is set to start on April 10 when the Saints will meet North Warrnambool at Bushfield.