IN: Wayne Pavitt (Port Douglas, AFL Cairns), Josh Aiken (Shepparton), Jak Hancock (Chelsea Heights), Ryland Head (Trentham), Dominic Russo, Bailey Clarke, Max McLean, Jake Anderson, Max Jones, Tom Martin, Jordan Zuccula (Seymour), Max Lawrence (Bonnie Doon), Todd Lawrence (Harrow-Balmoral), Hayden Heta (Rennie), Jack Smith (Benalla All Blacks), Andrew Dowling (Lower Plenty), Tom Gurkin (Daylesford), Jeremy Meek, John Green.
OUT: Garrett Davies, Michael Tinkler, Sam Durnan, Angus Durnan.
Avenel has unfinished business this year and is making no secret of its desire for finals success.
After an early elimination exit to Lancaster in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic put last year’s plans for redemption on ice.
But with a strong recruiting class coming out of the ashes of that loss, Avenel has held its ground throughout lockdown and added even more talent to its group.
Despite the potential of a vastly different line-up come round one, the way the Swans go about their footy will not change.
“Not much has changed, we’ll just adjust a few little things which we’re rolling through match simulation to suit the way our players play,” senior coach Kasey Duncan said.
“We have strong key position players, leg speed and skills, so we’ll look to continue to exploit our strengths.
“Ultimately the goal for us is that top two finish. Nagambie, Murchison, Violet Town are all looking good, and then Tally and Lancaster, those top six to eight teams are going to be close. It should be a really strong competition.
“But we know what the yardstick is and we’re confident we can be thereabout again.”
