CRESWICK football manager Brad Jarvis believes the club has a realistic expectation of making it into the top four this season.
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Jarvis said the club has had a busy pre-season with recruitment, with players also putting in the hard yards on the track.
The Wickers have played two practice games and one intra-club match and are now fit and raring to go for round one of the Central Highlands Football League.
Creswick took on Simpson, a club in the Colac and District Football Netball League, on Saturday.
It was their last hit-out ahead of their round one clash with Ballan on April 11.
“We were short of players because some of the guys were still playing in cricket grand finals, but everything went well, we are all happy with how the team is going,” Jarvis said.
“We are just itching to get out there; we want the season to start.
“We feel like we are ready to go, we have done a lot of work over the pre-season.”
Last season, Creswick finished the year off in 11th position, having won seven matches and losing 10.
Jarvis said he was confident the club could reclaim its spot in the finals.
“We are hoping to finish in the top four, that is the aim this season,” he said.
“Once you make the finals, the season starts again.”
Creswick is now under the guidance of coach Damian Lubeek, who is having his second stint as senior coach, after Len Watson coached the team for the past two seasons.
Among Lubeek’s recruits include Adrian King from Redan, who will also be the club’s senior assistant coach.
Lalbert St Mary’s ruckman Sam Eyre is also set to make an impact on the team.
Jarvis said the big man would be a great help to the club this season.
He said a number of Creswick’s under-18 players had also put their hands up for senior selection after impressing coaches during the summer.
Creswick will be hosting a past players function during its round one CHFL match home game against Ballan on April 11.
The club has urged anyone who has been involved with the Wickers to attend the match and support the team.