The second-year mentor expects his youth-laden side sprinkled with experienced heads to catch opponents off-guard – if they can “concentrate for 100 minutes”. 

“The boys would love to make finals and that’s a bit of a long-term aim but improvement and being more consistent are the two big things,” Dunn said.

“Most games we’d go in at half-time and be within striking distance or even in front and we’d have 10-minute patch in the third quarter or something like that where we’d get blown away.

“We don’t want to see that happen. Hopefully the boys can recognise when those things are happening and make sure we get the leaders to stand up.”

Dunn is thrilled with the calibre in the Kangaroos’ six-man leadership group, headlined by third-year skipper Hamish Waldron.

Brady Hicks and Jarrod O’Brien will share vice-captaincy duties, while Camperdown recruit Jack Hickey, defender Josh Meulendyks and emerging midfielder Tom Feely round out the group.

“Their intensity out on the ground’s fairly consistent and the age bracket a couple of them are in as well, they have a bit of experience,” Dunn said.

“We did our goal setting and they had a lot to say on where we want to go as a club this year and I think the boys look up to them as to how they play their football.”

Former Fremantle key forward Adam Campbell will return to his home-town to provide a much-needed focal point in attack.

Another goalkicking option in Josh Pepper, who spent most of the 2016 season playing in the Sunraysia league, will also provide a target. Teenager Dylan Godwin – an indigenous prospect with leg speed – is expected to establish himself in the Roos’ best side, along with Sam Tooley and lightly-built midfielder Seth Fiegert. TAC Cup-listed trio Cooper Henson, Tom Scott and Lochie Dawson will also see game time.

The draw

R1: Port Fairy (A)

R2: Portland (Anzac Day, night)

R3: Cobden (H)

R4: Warrnambool (A)

R5: Koroit (H)

R6: Terang Mortlake (A)

R7: North Warrnambool Eagles (H)

R8: Camperdown (A)

R9: South Warrnambool (H)

R10: Port Fairy (H)

R11: Portland (A)

R12: Cobden (A)

R13: Warrnambool (H)

R14: Koroit (A)

R15: Terang Mortlake (H)

R16: North Warrnambool Eagles (A)

R17: Camperdown (H)

R18: South Warrnambool (A)

2016 best and fairest

1st: Jarrod O’Brien

2nd: Josh Meulendyks

3rd: Sean Barnes

2016 most goals

1st: Paul Cox 18

2nd: Hamish Waldron 12

3rd: Jack Sutherland 11

Arrivals

Adam Campbell (VAFA), Josh Pepper (SFL), Jack Hickey (Camperdown).

Departures

Jack Sutherland (Ballarat)

Player to watch

JOSH PEPPER: Major boost to the Kangaroos' forward line after spending much of the 2016 season in Mildura for work. A nightmare to match up on who can hit the scoreboard - something the Roos lacked with their top goalkicker booting 18 goals last season. Can also spend time in the midfield. Will add onfield leadership too given his passion for his home club.