THERE'S an old footy adage which suggests premierships are won by clubs with a strong bottom five or 10 players.
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In the purest sense it means the strength of a club's fringe players - not its top-line or marquee prospects - is the difference between success and failure.
Some will agree and some will disagree. When applying that to Warrnambool and District league club Russells Creek, it's a fascinating discussion to have.
The Mack Oval-based unveiled a quartet of quality signings on Friday.
Ex-Melbourne talent Daniel Nicholson - potentially the most high-profile of the four - is arguably one of the most significant signatures in district league history.
What Creek has been able to do is add five players who will likely feature in its best players each week.
Only 30, Nicholson was easily in the Hampden league's top three or four players in 2019 and is unquestionably a real talent.
He will walk into Russells Creek as its best player. He'll walk into Russells Creek as arguably the best player in the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League.
He's joined by former Port Fairy skipper Xavier McCartney, a TAC Cup graduate in Taylem Wason, and ex-Creek skipper Sam Wilson, who has returned to the club.
They join Dylan Herbertson, who returned to Russells Creek as assistant coach in March.
What Creek has been able to do is add five players who will likely feature in its best players each week.
If they retain players signed for 2020, including brothers Jyran and Phil Chatfield and midfielder Aaron McInnes, they're in a good spot.
Creek relied on two-time Esam medallist Andy McMeel through midfield in 2019 but now, it has several players to draw upon.
Not only will Nicholson, McCartney, Wason and Wilson's arrival boost the club directly as a result of their ability, but it should lift the atmosphere around the club. It generates hope, excitement and a buzz.
Suddenly Peter Timms' job as coach becomes that bit easier as players - fringe and marquee alike - buy into his plans and push themselves that little bit harder at training.
Creek hasn't played finals for the best part of a decade, but with its new recruits has potentially the best list in its recent history to draw upon. Finals seems to be a realistic goal for a club heading in the right direction.
Can they dethrone the Power? Or after a year with no footy, is it anyone's race?
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Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
