After a drought-breaking and historic premiership win in 2019, there is only one thing on Great Western's mind heading into the 2021 Mininera and District Football League season.
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And they haven't stood still, with the club actively recruiting across the last 18 months and evolving their game plan to give themselves the best chance at winning it all again in 2021.
Senior coach Will Bell is back again and he said he was looking forward to seeing how the Lions go in their round one grand final rematch against Penshurst on Saturday, April 17.
"We want to play in a similar way to the way we did in 2019, we like to get on offense and play a fast running brand of football and move the ball really fast into our forward line," he said.
"So we want to play in a ferocious way that brings a lot of pressure and makes it hard for teams to try and defend.
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"Also with our new key forwards upfront, which is a little bit different to our 2019 premiership side when we played really small, we have a bigger presence down there and will have some ball going in where our key forwards can take some clunks."
Despite their 2019 success Bell knows it will be a tough season at the top.
"Just going on word of mouth, most of the clubs around Ararat, like Moyston, Ararat Eagles and Tatyoon have all recruited really well which is really exciting because it means we will have some strong local competition which is great for spectators," he said.
The Lions have added talented players from across Australia, with some joining their side thanks to their Northern Territory connection.
From up north, the club will add winger Daniel Clee Jnr who won the Tracey Village Razorbacks 2020-21 best and fairest in the Northern Territory Football Association.
The club has also added Ryan McMurray from the NTFA, Angus Butt, of Pomonal, and Swifts' guns Ryan and Damon Folkes. While he is not a recruit, senior coach Will Bell said Shannon Notting had put in a lot of work across the last 18 months and was ready for a big season.
"I am really looking forward to seeing Shannon Notting play this season," he said.
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"He has had a really good summer and he is in really good condition and I can't wait to see him after putting the work in."
While they have added plenty of talent, the Lions have also lost some.
Northern Territory premiership star Bradley Palipuaminni has been unable to return to the club as well as Gerrard Cunningham and Stevie Lorenzo.
Justin Thomas, BJ Burton and Patrick Thomas will also not be playing for Great Western in 2021.
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