The Roosters were the big movers early last season, before losing their final six games to slip out of finals contention, but were quick to get on the front foot over the off-season.

They recruited 22-year-old former AFL footballer Josh Saunders, who played 22 games for St Kilda across three seasons, but more importantly have lured a host of quality footballers back to Friendly Societies’ Park, including VFL players Liam Youl and James Hussey.

The Roosters’ savvy recruiting has seen them draw in high-end players for minimal cost under the points system, as many of the recruits are returning to what is considered their ‘home’ club.

“We’ve managed to pick up quite a few players who should bolster our side and this fixes our age demographic,” South Warrnambool coach Mathew Buck said.

“Getting people back to our footy is a great pull – ‘once a South person, always a South person’ is kind of the way we look at it.

“It’s the work we’ve put in over the last 12 months to make it a really good place to be around (that has lured the players back).”

The Roosters made big strides towards turning their home ground into a fortress last season, winning their first six games there, but will need to raise their success on the road if they want to push for finals.

In 2016, they won just one of their nine away matches. More worryingly, most were by sizeable margins, blowing the Roosters’ average points against out to 98 points a game.

At home, they were masters of the tight escape, winning three games by seven points or less.

But although finals are on the radar this season, Buck said the Roosters were narrowing their focus.

“Finals are out of our hands; what we can control is the way we go about things,” he said.

“Are we being professional? Are we improving every chance we get?”

Draw

R1: Warrnambool (H)

R2: Koroit (A)

R3: Terang Mortlake (H)

R4: North Warrnambool Eagles (A)

R5: Camperdown (H)

R6: Cobden (H)

R7: Port Fairy (A)

R8: Portland (H)

R9: Hamilton Kangaroos (A)

R10: Warrnambool (A)

R11: Koroit (H)

R12: Terang Mortlake (A)

R13: North Warrnambool Eagles (H)

R14: Camperdown (A)

R15: Cobden (A)

R16: Port Fairy (H)

R17: Portland (A)

R18: Hamilton Kangaroos (H)

Best and fairest

1st: Nick Thompson

2nd: Zacc Struth

3rd: Paddy Mahony

2016 most goals

1st: Paddy Anderson 21

2nd: Tom White 17

3rd: Mar Gattek 16

Arrivals

Josh Saunders (AFL), Liam Youl (VFL), James Hussey (VFL), Tait Niddrie (CHFL), Brayden Beks (CHFL), Peter Doukas (Dennington), Sam Thompson (returning), Matt McVilly (returning), Corey Gallichan (Warrnambool), Tanna Blackney-Noter (BFL), Louis O'Connor (Warrnambool), Brenton McKenry (Penshurst)

Departures

Tom Clancy (work), Jeremy Bolden (Western Region Football League)

Player to watch

JOSH SAUNDERS: There's always going to be interest whenever a former AFL footballer enters Hampden ranks, and Josh Saunders is no exception. Saunders' own ability will be impressive in its own right, but even more intriguing will be the influence he has on the Roosters midfielders around him.