Swifts Adam McGaffin led his Edenhope-Apsley opponent to the ball on this occasion in last year's preliminary final clash at Natimuk. Swifts are aiming high in season 2013, with new recruits and sponsors jumping on board.
STAWELL - CKS Swifts pre-season continues to gather pace, with the club set to announce new sponsors before the start of the Horsham District Football League season.
Swifts president Robert Carey is pleased with how the pre-season has been progressing.
"We're going along really well and will pick up a few new sponsors. We've been out and about, touching base with them and now we're waiting on the outcome," Mr Carey said.
The club has been lucky enough to maintain just about every player from their 2012 list, with Mr Carey emphasising the need for depth in the squad.
"We need to maintain depth, otherwise you don't get into finals," Mr Carey said.
"Borderline footballers play a bigger role than they think.
We found in finals this year with Lachie Hamilton injured, Jeremy Joiner with a crook ankle, Adam Mullane-Pratt with a strained leg and Jake Goodes with a broken finger...you can't get over those things.
"We saw the importance in depth."
Swifts had a tough road to the Horsham District Football League finals last year, reaching the preliminary final against Edenhope-Apsley from fifth position.
Unfortunately for the club they missed out on a grand final appearance for the second year in a row, going down to the Saints by 57 points.
Meanwhile excitement is building among the Swifts reserves ranks, with regular senior player Jamie Britten signing on as a playing coach for the upcoming season.
"Jamie will still be a chance to play in the seniors but I think he sees it as a good way of winding back his football, with a heavy involvement in the junior development side," Mr Carey said.
Nathan Ringin and Jake Davis have signed on again as joint coaches of the under 17 side, while at this stage it is unclear if Andrew Cameron will continue to coach the under 14s.
The club may look at finding someone to heavily contribute to the development of the under 14s by taking weekday training sessions.
CKS Engineering has signed on again as major sponsor of the Swifts.
This will be Tom and Carol Hedges' sixth year with the club and Mr Carey is grateful for their support.
"Tom and Carol have been amazing supporters of the club," he said.
Mr Carey was also excited with the Baggies new recruits, saying the players they have picked up so far this pre-season are a 'big bonus' to the club.
Ash Cowen, Jack Kelly and Adam Taylor join the Swifts from Stawell Warriors while Lewis Baker has switched across from Navarre.
"There is a lot of pace there with (Ash) Cowen, Adam Taylor and Lewis Baker," Mr Carey said.
"They'll add pace around the forward line, which will definitely help us."
Swifts pre-season training begins on Thursday, January 17.
