WFL - After putting in one of its most impressive pre-seasons in recent years the Ararat Rats are ready to open their Wimmera Football League account with a victory against Nhill on Saturday.
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After four and a half months of solid training expect to see a much fitter and stronger Rats line-up hit Alexandra Oval tomorrow afternoon.
Ararat joint-coaches David Hosking and Andrew Louder said they are both incredibly happy with how their players have responded to the challenges thrown at them over the summer and now is the time to reap the rewards.
With minimal player departures in the off-season Hosking said the round one team will have a similar look to 2013, along with some welcome additions.
"There will be a lot of the same personnel but the team will have a different look about it," he said.
"There will be only minor differences but they will be key differences. By and large it will look pretty similar, your backline is going to have a lot of the same personnel, same through the midfield, but the additions are the icing on the cake that take us, hopefully from just competitive to a bit better than that."
The forward line is where the change will be most noticeable, headlined by the inclusion of gun recruit Beau Cosson at full forward.
Cosson who joined Ararat from Eastern Football League club Nobel Park, has already shown in the Rats' practice matches that he will be a focal point inside the forward-50.
Tatyoon-convert Tyler Cronin is also a handy small forward and will combine well with Jack Ganley, Jacob Bates and Matt North, who has worked his way up the ranks through the under 17s.
Ararat's onball brigade is also set to be strengthen with another EFL export, Daniel Mendes joining regulars Alan Batchelor, Harry Ganley and Aaron Searle in the centre.
Both coaches said they are confident the team can get the job done against the Tigers based on the potential that has been shown in the past month of practice matches.
"I am confident, but then again you don't know what you are coming up against," Louder said.
"I think it is a must that we win first up, it doesn't matter who or where we play. It is going to be a stepping stone, this round one match.
"Regardless of who we are playing, we have got to nearly win every home game."
Season 2014 also marks a significant change for the Wimmera Football League overall, with the departure of the Horsham RSL Diggers forcing a revamped fixture.
As a result the Rats will face tomorrow's opponent Nhill and fierce rival Stawell on three occasions during the home and away season, which Hosking said adds an extra importance on getting away to a winning start against the Tigers.
"The league has done a pretty good job in the way they have organised it," he said.
"We've got two home games against Nhill and then two away games against Stawell, so you would have to say that's fair.
"Nhill beat us down here, we beat them up there (last season), so what that tells you is it doesn't matter where you are playing if you are not switched on you will get beaten.
"I honestly think (the Diggers folding) will make the league a lot more competitive.
"You have now got an eight team competition and no one is going to want to come last."