Navarre Grasshoppers are pushing to be ready for round one of the Maryborough Castlemaine and District Football League despite a short turnaround between seasons.
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With another premiership under their belt, it means another season where Navarre has played until late August and had the least of time off.
Other teams who finished late July have rested before coming back to their preseason where Navarre had just weeks to enjoy some time to themselves.
Coaching panel member Daniel Parkin believes their team will be a little bit underdone as they head into round one as a result of their late finish and early start.
"Preseasons are starting earlier and earlier," Parkin said.
"We are trying to keep up, but the older players take their time. It is okay for the younger brigade to go and go, but the oldies just can't do that anymore."
Navarre will take on Carisbrook in the season opener, with their fingers crossed they can start the season with a win.
Like last year they go into the season with a bit of additional pressure to perform, having won two consecutive premierships and working towards a third.
"People on the outside put pressure on us," Parkin said.
"We are just taking it one game at a time."
There are few changes to their line up with Luke Hendy the only player to have left the club at seasons' end.
It is likely a junior player will step up in his absence and Parkin is hopeful there will be plenty of candidates that put up their hand.
Other players that will be unlikely to play this year include Sam Robinson and Zach Parry.
Robinson sustained a hip problem some time ago, which affected his level of football toward the end of last year.
Parry is also under an injury cloud from last season with a fractured bone in his shin failing to heal as he would have liked.
Both players could return towards the end of the year, but it is unlikely that they will take part in the first half of the season.
The juniors will be looked upon for game time at the senior level to ensure their development is steady.
Parkin thinks this year's competition will be stronger than ever if the talk around town is anything to go by.
"You always hear different things, but it sounds like most clubs have picked up a couple of good players," Parkin said.
"It will be a good challenge for our young side, whether or not we have what it takes."
Navarre will be the team that is hunted again this year as they look to perform a premiership three-peat.
