FIRST-YEAR Russells Creek coach Peter Timms has not wasted time in driving the Kangaroos' off-season recruiting to an extraordinary level.
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The former South Rovers three-time junior premiership coach and senior assistant welcomed 15 new players to Mack Oval over the summer as he looks to build competition for senior spots at his new club.
Billy McPhee returns to the club, while Caleb Bidmade, Caleb Bourke, Darcy Wraight, Oliver Westwick, Liam Dwyer, Isaiah and Griffin Mcleod all jump over with Timms from South Rovers.
Ruckman Lukas Essenwanger and midfielder Ryan Bunny have moved leagues from Hampden league premiers Koroit, while Matthew Petherick (Old Collegians), Liam Boyle (Dennington), Chris Moutray (Tyrendarra), Caleb Templeton (East Warrnambool) and Matthew Williams (Warrnambool) also join the Roos.
Brad Rees is the only player who has left the club after he joined East Warrnambool in the pre-season.
Timms said there was a simple reason behind his mass recruiting.
"I've come into the club and wanted to put pressure on the list and make every one accountable as I really want to build a strong list," he said.
"Then next year we only have to top it up with players we are missing. We want to be able to bring quality into the seniors when we have injury and making sure everyone is still staying accountable."
Timms said the recruiting would be a step forward for the club's hopes of rising up the ladder from a ninth-placed finish in 2018.
"We want to bridge the gap and try and get around the halfway mark and then push for finals next year," he said.
"Success comes from a strong list and that was my role when they brought me in and to sign 15 players is a good start of a three to four-year plan."
The experienced mentor said there was method to his strategy and that players were brought into the club with one capability.
"Everyone is capable of playing senior football," he said.
"It still going to come down to form and who is working hard to get into side and that will obviously strengthen up the lower teams as well."
Timms' other desire was to throw out the idea of "seniors" and "reserves" groups.
"We look at it as one senior playing group and not a reserves and seniors player groups," he said.
"The only difference is some are in the early game and some start in late game. We have structured it to make everyone a senior footballer at the club and everyone has to train to get a game."
The Kangaroos will test out their structures against Mininera District Football League premiers Wickliffe Lake Bolac in a practice match on Saturday.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
