Magpies co-coach Neville Swayn says natural development and improved fitness will help the Leura Oval club's cause in 2020.

Swayn and co-mentor Jack Williams guided Camperdown to a seventh-place finish last season.

Now the duo are making a concerted effort to lift the Magpies fitness base as they pursue a return to Hampden league finals.

"We've identified over the break that we'd really like to see that natural development. We tried seven under 18 players last season," Swayn said.

"We also want to be quicker - and to play a brand of footy that works with our assets. We don't want to fall into the trap of how it's been done before.

"We really want to just play to the strengths we have and build our game around that."

Swayn said Camperdown was working hard to bring in recruits after securing Cam Spence's return in November.

"We're really focused on getting people who are good people into our footy club," he said.

"We don't want to have people who are only going to be at the club for a season. We want people who are looking to stay for five or six.

"You just have to bring the right people into your club, that's really important."

Player retention has been strong. Camperdown has lost just three players - Isaac Stephens, Liam Darcy and PJ Manivong - but expects Luke Mahony to spend time overseas this season.

Spence and ruckman Jack Hookway have been added to the Magpies' list.

Swayn said he and Williams put an emphasis on player-driven fitness in the pre-season.

READ MORE:

The Magpies hit the running track in November, maintained their own fitness over the festive break and resumed group sessions in mid-January.

"We managed to get that good month in before the Christmas break," he said.

"We're really fortunate that we have a core group who really drive it. I'm really impressed with how the boys have done it.

"It's a collective effort and the group as a whole who drive it. A lot of the younger players we have are buying in and they're really driving the standards."

Camperdown will face Terang Mortlake away from home in round one.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.