While it might not have been as crucial in years gone by, Allen believes midfield depth is now the secret in building a side to threaten for premierships.

“I think it’s the key these days,” Allen said yesterday.

“Albury and Yarra had six or eight running through the middle last season and you just need those sort of rotations to be a top side.

“It’s something we have hopefully addressed.

“Signing Sam (Caruso) was a real bonus to help out Andy Hill, Caolan Buckley and Danny McLaughlin and those type of players and then we have young blokes like Ryan Stone and Toby Ryan pushing up.

“We’re still working on it as well.”

While bolstering the midfield has been one of Allen’s top priorities, luring home-grown talent back to the W. J. Findlay Oval has also been on his wish list.

And it appears to have been accomplished.

Caruso, Jack Hill, Josh Naish, Darcy Booth, Justin Hoggan, Jesse Silver and Dan McLeod are back in the brown and gold and a big part of Allen’s grand plan to climb from ninth spot on the ladder.

Not that you’ll get too many big statements out of the club games record-holder.

“Like every club, you always aim to play finals and that’s the same with us,” he said.

“We would have put 40 players through the seniors last year and that doesn’t help a side with stability, but hopefully we will benefit this season with the experience we gained from doing it.

“The club deliberately set out to get former players back who know our culture and we have been happy with how that has gone.

“I would like to think we will improve.”

Wangaratta Rovers’ form guide was impossible to follow in 2009 as evidenced by their 10-point win against Wodonga in round 16 and 40-point loss to Lavington in round 18.

A lack of key forwards was one of the major problems, while knee reconstructions to former best and fairest winner Anthony Tucci, vice-captain John Conroy and tagger Tim Swanton didn’t help either.