Ben O'Neil is one of several new faces to join the Lions for season 2012.

O'Neil played with Beaufort Football Club in the Central Highlands Football League last year, and has been described by club officials as an 'outstanding athlete' who came 17th in an Hawaiian iron man contest.

Coming across from Swifts in the Horsham District Football League is Cody Virgona, an in and under player who likes to get plenty off the ball.

Another player to come from around the district is Brent Tait, a utility player who has come across from Ararat Rats.

Matt Bourke is a key position player who signed with the club this year.

The Lions have signed Irishman Paddy Murphy, who is a new player to Australian Rules Football and has recently immigrated to Australia.

Having received his citizenship papers recently, he decided to give football a go after having played Gaelic Football at home.

Both the new recruits and the returning players to Great Western are looking forward to the commencement of the season.

Excitement has been building at the club for some time, with the Lions set to sport a new look this season courtesy of a change in jumper design due to the old Lions jumper clashing with another team in the Mininera League.

The club was pleased with the result.

"Our new uniforms are based on the old Fitzroy jumper which is part of the heritage of the Great Western Club. The gold lion retains our link as the Lions and the ripping marks on the jumper represents the tenacity of the club," club secretary Danny Hoare said.

Great Western also has sponsors on board, with Rhodes Plumbing signing on as major sponsor and Bests Wines and Jonro Constructions named as gold sponsors of the club.

The only fixture game that the club is aware of at the moment is a game between Great Western and Ararat Eagles on Sunday, April 28 and is to be an annual feature with an ANZAC tribute theme.

Meanwhile, Great Western netballers have started training in preparation for the upcoming season.

Mr Hoare said although junior grades all have their coaches, the club is still in the middle of coaxing back senior coaches as well as a few players who aren't quite sure where and if they want to play this season.

Training for all grades is on Thursdays at 6:30pm.