There is little need for change at Hepburn.
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It is all about getting everything right when it counts most - in the finals.
The Burras have had everything it takes to go all the way in the past two years in the Central Highlands Football League, but unfortunately they have come up short each time.
In what has become a trend across the competition, Hepburn has looked off-field to find what it needs to go to the next level to complement some astute recruiting.
This has been headed up by the experienced Shane Fisher being appointed as a joint coach with Mitch Banner - adding an important set of eyes from the boundary.
Fisher said there was real determination to improve after the disappointments of 2022 and 2023.
He said with no shortage of talent the focus was on making marginal adjustments and changes.
Fisher said these included enhancing the midfield craft and transition.
With player losses minimal, in addition to bringing in some new blood Hepburn will have a fully fit Andy McKay after a serious leg injury curtailed his influence late last season.
He came off a break to play finals, but the ever dangerous small forward was well short of his best - a telling factor in a close preliminary final defeat.
BIGGEST OFF-SEASON MOVES
- A change in the coaching structure with the much travelled Shane Fisher joining as a non-playing co-coach with Mitch Banner, who will continue to play.
- The return home of youngster Izaac Grant after developing into one of the BFNL brightest young stars in three years with Redan.
WHERE TO
A grand final berth is a non-negotiable for Burras after back-to-back preliminary final losses to Springbank.
Hepburn had high premiership aspirations in each of those campaigns and expectations will be high again.
AT A GLANCE
- Coach: Mitch Banner (playing) third year and Shaane Fisher (non-playing) first year
- 2023: 3rd - 13 wins, 3 losses (lost qualifying final, won semi-final, lost preliminary final)
- Highest score: 30.16 (196) v Waubra
- Highest score against: Springbank 16.9 (105)
- Lowest score against: Daylesford 4.4 (28)
- Leading goalkicker: Andy McKay 72
ARRIVALS
- Shane Fisher - non-playing joint coach
- Joe Clarke (returning)
- Jamie Cook (Altona)
- Matthew Davis (Altona)
- Izaac Grant (Redan)
- Billy Ward (Altona)
DEPARTURES
- Finn Anscombe (Newcomb)
- Matt Notman* (Melton South) - started with Hepburn 2023, finished with Melton South
FIXTURE
R1 Bungaree (a) - April 13
R2 Daylesford (h)
R3 Buninyong (a)
R4 Waubra (h)
R5 Skipton (a)
R6 Clunes (h)
R7 Newlyn (a)
R8 Beaufort (h)
R9 bye
R10 Ballan (a)
R11 Learmonth (h)
R12 Rokewood-C'hap (a)
R13 Dunnstown (h)
R14 Gordon (a)
R15 Springbank (h)
R16 C'ham-Linton (a)
R17 Creswick (h)
