But more often than not, those players are worth the wait.

South Warrnambool is happy with Shannon Beks’ progress as a Hampden league key position prospect but believes his best is still to come.

Beks’ list of achievements is long – he’s played TAC Cup and VFL level, represented Vic Country at the AFL under 18 national championships and earned best-on-ground honours in Hampden’s 2018 interleague victory over Bendigo.

His most recent accomplishments – playing for Vic Country in an AFL Young Guns match and earning a Vic Country senior gig in a one-off match against the Vic Metro – came after his strong form at club level.

South Warrnambool coach Mat Buck said Beks’ current form was impressive but his scope for improvement was just as exciting.

“Shannon’s really benefitted from being around all pre-season,” he said.

“It’s different to last year because he was in Ballarat, so we’ve had him all pre-season and developed him as a player.

“We’ve worked on his leading patterns a bit. He was finding himself too far up the ground and for a big boy, it’s important the position on the ground where he marks the ball means he’s in a dangerous spot.

“We’re also working on his disposal and when and where to kick at different times. He’s good to teach and he’s still so young so he could be a great player.”

Buck is confident the Roosters will test flag favourite Koroit on Saturday.

He said they were a more cohesive unit than when they played the Saints on Good Friday and were “a little bit more organised now”.