by Nicholas Duck
Warragul will be looking to take another step forward in 2025 as expectations surrounding the club begin to rise.
Following a disastrous 2023 campaign that saw numerous injuries to key players, the Gulls rebounded last year to put together a much more competitive year.
They may have only gone from three wins to five, but a serious jump in percentage from 42.17 to 77.22 showed they were able to play better for longer.
The significant 10-goal-plus losses that littered 2023 all but dried up, the Gulls only losing one match last year by more than 60 points.
While they were able to stay in games and challenge some serious sides - and at times even outplaying them - what it didn't translate into was wins.
Two defeats to rivals Drouin and a loss to eventual wooden spooners Maffra left the Gulls frustrated at times with their inability to put their best footy on the park for long enough.
Coach Jed Lamb, now in his third year at the helm, certainly wasn't afraid to let them know about it either. Anyone who has seen one of his speeches after a poor quarter knows he isn't wanting for passion.
It begs the question of the Gulls - can they take another step forward this year?
Assistant coach and intercepting backman Sean Masterson said early signs were trending the right way at training, especially with a number of the Gulls' premiership-winning under 18s from last year joining the fold.
"Things are looking pretty good. It's pretty similar to where we've been in the past, the big difference being the kids we had in that 18s team we've kept. All the other young blokes are another year older," he said.
"With these kids we might actually, for the first time since I've been there, be in a position where blokes who are legitimately up to playing senior football are missing out."
A strong junior program has never been the Gulls' issue, having won the under 18s flag in 2022 also, and a number of their strong performers have come in and made an instant impact in the senior side.
Luke Garner, Lane Ward, Riley Senini and Vinnie Caia are just some of the names that fit that mould as Warragul looks to turn their talented junior brigade into the foundation for a successful team.
For now, Warragul have looked towards the Pakenham Football Club for their recruits, with four ex-Lions joining the fold for the Gulls.
Brothers Jordan and Zac Stewart come in, with the former set to take on a centre half back role to lock down some of the league's most threatening forwards, while the latter will roll through the midfield.
The downside is a hefty suspension from the back end of last year will see Jordan sitting on the sidelines for seven weeks into the year.
Joining the Stewarts is James 'Jim' Harrison, a former Gippsland Power midfielder who club insiders are tipping to quickly assert himself as one of the team's top performers.
Backman Tom Hillard rounds out the Pakenham brigade, though a serious hand injury will see him missing most of the Gulls' campaign.
When available Warragul also will have access to VFL talents Koby Grass and Will Hayes, the latter of which featured in the AFL for both Western Bulldogs and Carlton.
In terms of outs the loss of half back/midfielder Jack Lewsey will undoubtedly sting, the former Claremont vice captain being one of their best players last year.
Star ruck Mitch Smart also departs back to Bentleigh along with younger brother Daniel. While an unquestionable talent around the ground that will be missed, the Gulls are backing the returning Sam Whibley to more than cover the loss.
It will be a remarkable comeback for Whibley, given the horrific leg injury he sustained at the end of 2023 that kept him out of the game for a whole year.
Masterson said while last year had its moments, it was time for the Gulls to make some real inroads on the ladder.
"Last year's wasn't a disaster but it didn't go as well as it could've. Hopefully we can take that step up. I say it every year but hopefully push into that fifth, sixth sort of range and give ourselves a chance to hopefully play some finals," he said.
"At some stage it is going to happen for us I think. We've just got too much talent to keep getting beaten."