HARRY Lee is South Warrnambool's defensive general at just 22.
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The Hampden interleague representative expects to welcome some fresh faces into the Roosters' back six in 2019 as they strive to make finals for a third straight season.
"I'll still be in the back line. We're looking good, we're keeping a similar core to what it's been but a few boys are coming up and have shown some interest and ability to go back there," Lee said.
"Noah Kol has played for a few years but he's looking fantastic there, Jed Henderson can slot in there and there's new guys who have come in.
"Charlie Bradshaw can definitely be put down there and Jesse Gallichan is looking good down there and also Charlie (Lee) my cousin, he looks pretty explosive off the back line so that will be good too."
Lee, who is nursing a niggling injury but expects to be "absolutely fine" for round one on April 6, said Henderson was an exciting prospect.
The tall, lean former Greater Western Victoria Rebel is yet to make his senior debut.
"It's a surprise but he's one of the best runners here. He seems to just take off from everyone," Lee said.
"If you're doing a six-kilometre run, he seems to take off. I don't know where it comes from but he looks like a gazelle out there."
Lee expects to see a more dangerous, dynamic South Warrnambool this season.
"Having Jock Blair back, he's just silk," he said.
"He's had the full year off and then had the reco on the shoulder but he's still up there with the running.
"Brayden Beks is coming into his own I reckon and (Camperdown recruit) Jesse Gallichan, from what I've seen of him, looks impressive too."
South Warrnambool is in the midst of its first pre-season under coach Mat Battistello.
Lee said the former Vic Country under 18 mentor was "really professional in everything he does".
"We are getting huge numbers to training and everyone is looking forward to this year," he said.
Battistello said the the players' dedication had exceeded his expectations.
"It's been fantastic in terms of the buy-in from the players," he said.
"We're slowly improving and slowly learning a new way we want to play and I guess I am learning more about our list and what they're capable of individually.
"We've got Johnny (Keats) as our running coach and he's been a fantastic contributor to the footy club and they're learning to cover the ground a lot better."
Battistello said he was still adjusting to a new league but was excited about South Warrnambool's potential.
"I am pretty naive in that I haven't seen a lot of Hampden league football," he said.
"I saw one game of South Warrnambool in the wet last year, so I am flying a little bit blind in regards to that.
"With the coaching group and the playing group we've identified what we need to challenge them.
"There will certainly be some different looks."
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