The Rats made a start to their pre-season campaign in late November with the overall goal this coming year to better their 2014 semi final appearance.

Hosking said there had already been positive signs when comparing the group's pre-season results to that of 12 months ago.

"What we have discovered is our fitness base is higher this year than our starting point last year, so I guess what I am expecting now is to take the next step up," he said.

"Once the guys are there they have shown that they are prepared to work. The fitness base is higher, which I think means we can take it to the next level.

"I am happy we are in a position where we are poised to do that."

Ararat has also attracted a number of new and returning players ahead of the 2015 season, with Josh Day, Rhys Cronin and Aaron and Josh Pianta joining from Mininera club Moyston/Willaura, while Ryan Bates and Bernie Peoples will also pull the red and white back on after spending some time out of the game.

Hosking said there is also potential for a few more signatures before round one.

"We have recruited a few players and we hope we will have a few more before the end of the summer," he said.

"As well as the recruits we've picked up so far, we are also pretty happy with the kids coming out of the under 17s.

"What happened last year was we got to the middle part of the year and inevitably got those injuries that every footy club gets, but we were getting down to the 26th or 27th player and for a variety of reasons that person wasn't playing great football at the time or wasn't quite at senior level. It just dropped away, so strong recruiting gives us list depth."

The Rats aren't without player movement as well, with the most notable loss being that of 2014 club best and fairest Daniel Mendes who has returned to Melbourne due to work commitments, while small forward Tyler Cronin is also a major departure after re-signing with Tatyoon.

Hosking said a couple of other exiting players, as well as long term injuries, have put certain areas under the microscope namely Ararat's ruck stocks.

"It is an area that we have to work on," he said.

"We have Dan Vearing who is going to be out for the year (with a serious knee injury), Lucas Cocking who also helps us out in the ruck has gone to the army, Zach Louder has gone to Tatyoon and Tim Porter has moved to Melbourne. So that means that the ruck is an issue for us.

"We have Xavier (Vearing) but to help him out we'll need to look at some other options."

After coaching alongside Andrew Louder for the last two years, this season will be the first time Hosking has sole control.

Hosking said it will be a different feeling without his offsider, but understood Louder's reasons for stepping down as joint-coach.

"I'll miss Scruff," he said.

"It will mean a heavier workload for me, no two ways about it, but I have got some good help from Alister Williamson, Rohan White, Paul Cocking and guys like that. Hopefully it will all work out okay I am pretty confident that it will.

"We are still looking to have an assistant coach, there is someone in mind, but that is still to be finalised."

Ararat will once again face Warrnambool and Hamilton in practice matches as part of its pre-season schedule, with dates yet to be confirmed.

Hosking said the senior list is also likely to continue its tradition of a Warnambool training camp in the lead up to the first match of the Wimmera season against the Warrack Eagles on April 18.

The Rats have been dealt a tough fixture in 2015, with the side to face reigning premier the Horsham Demons on three occasions along with fellow finalist Minyip/Murtoa, which will reportedly be strengthened with ex-AFL player Shane Tuck to join the ranks.

Hosking said he isn’t fazed by the draw.

“Is it challenging? Yes it is, but so it should be challenging to make the finals because it certainly isn’t easy to win games once you get there,” he said.

“From a footy perspective if we are going to be any good then we have to beat those good teams.

“So does it worry me? No, not at all. The reality is that it will actually stand you in good stead for finals’ footy more so than if you are playing teams lower than you on the ladder anyway.