Expect a different team to the one that missed out on finals action in 2019 due to percentage.
The Lions have witnessed a string of players depart since the end of that narrow season, most noticeably two-time league best-and-fairest winner Kaine Herbert.
However, Undera has welcomed a host of gun talent and that should have it contend again in 2021.
“We'll be a pretty different team to the one people saw a few years ago,” Batties said.
“We have lost four players from our top-10 in 2019, but we have recruited well and picked up over half-dozen new faces.
“We have brought in Mitch White, a big full-back, as well as midfielder Matt Turner, forward Ryan Harrington and Dave Zeitsman from the VAFA.
“Losing Kaine (Herbert) hurts, but that might open the door now for someone else to step up which is a good opportunity.”
Batties — an experienced and established mentor — was an assistant coach with Werribee and last coached Werribee Districts in the WRFL.
The new mentor said he hoped to deliver Undera's faithful supporters a taste of finals football this year.
“Our expectation is to be better than what we were in 2019,” Batties said.
“The club just missed finals that year and it would be great to be able to deliver the supporters and volunteers finals football — which they haven't experienced since 2009.
“Fingers crossed we can get a season in.”
FAST FACTS
COACH: DARRON BATTIES 2019 FINISH: SEVENTH (9-7) 2019 BEST AND FAIREST: KAINE HERBERT 2019 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: BRENTON CAMPBELL (52) GROUND: UNDERA RECREATION RESERVE NICKNAME: LIONS
IN: Dave Zeitsman (Old Scotch), Matt Turner (Point Cook Centrals), Ryan Harrington (Werribee Districts), Mitch White, Nathan Kenyon (Anakie), Dylan Moncur (Murchison-Toolamba), Henry Wedding (Mooroopna), Joel Stephens (Tongala)
OUT: Kaine Herbert (Kyabram), Shannon Hockey (travel), Brenton Campbell (year off), Tom Durward (Murchison-Toolamba), Zac Brian
11°C