Nirranda's first finals series in 17 years, its first since joining the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League in 2003.

Remarkably, it yielded a premiership.

The Blues rode the wave of emotion, charged by two of its most loyal sons in Luke Parsons and Peter McDowall, and toppled an undefeated juggernaut in Old Collegians.

However, the story of Nirranda's 2017 might surround how the Blues cope with the loss of several key premiership personnel. 

Medium forward Jesse Dalton has left for Penshurst, while ruckman Bronte McCann is set to suit up for Anglesea.

Jack and Rick Spokes have also left for the Geelong District Football League, and big men in Heath Moloney and Ethan Dalton will run around for different clubs next season.

Recruiting proved to be a strong point of Shane Threlfall's stewardship last year, with Gary Robinson joining mid-year, as well as several classy onballers - so faith has to be installed in new assistant coach Brayden Harkness and fellow recruits Luke Weel and Robbie Gregg.

A host of talent remains in the club's ranks, but it will be the challenge of a lifetime for the club to go back-to-back.

Of the challengers, Merrivale and Kolora-Noorat loom as the biggest improvers. 

The Tigers have recruited bona fide Hampden league champion Jason Rowan to their ranks and he will spearhead a forward line which also includes Allansford recruit Brenton Webster.

Kolora-Noorat has signed Cobden hot shot Sam Harkin and will also welcome Ben Fraser and Ben Walsh.

Watch out for Timboon Demons. Led by a no-nonsense mentor in Mick Hunt, they have recruited heavily and will improve drastically.

2016 top three

1st: Old Collegians

2nd: Dennington

3rd: Kolora-Noorat

2016 J.A Esam Medal

1st: Joey Conheady

2nd: Scott Judd

3rd: Peter McDowall and Colby Rix

2016 most goals

1st: Tim Ryan 93

2nd: Chris Keilar 68

3rd: Mark Murphy 62

Past 10 premiers

2016: Nirranda

2015: Dennington

2014: Merrivale

2013: Panmure

2012: Panmure

2011: Kolora-Noorat

2010: Kolora-Noorat

2009: Kolora-Noorat

2008: Timboon Demons

2007: South Rovers

Past 10 J.A Esams

2016: Joey Conheady

2015: Josh Sobey

2014: Nick Johnstone

2013: Brad McCosh

2012: Corey Rounds, Nick Johnstone

2011: Brad Johnson

2010: Jye Bidmade

2009: Luke Madden

2008: Matthew Steel

2007: Matthew Steel

2017 coaches

Ben Holloway, Brett Membrey (Allansford), Jacob Rhodes (Dennington), Danny Chatfield (East Warrnambool), Jason Rowan (Merrivale), Shane Threlfall, Shane Quick (Nirranda), Josh Reichman (Old Collegians), Joe Kenna (Panmure), Heath Moloney (Russells Creek), Adam Mathieson (South Rovers), Mick Hunt (TImboon Demons)

Finals

August 19: Qualifying final

August 20: Elimination final

August 26: Second semi-final

August 27: First semi-final

September 2: Preliminary final

September 9: Grand final