The second-year mentor said the club had been hit the hardest as a result of last year’s recruiting spree.

“We’re going to have to do the sums each week,” Cresswell said.

“The new system has probably hurt us the most given the amount of players we brought in last year.

“The good thing is that a lot of our younger players and one-point players are up and about at the moment.

“Guys like Todd Bryant, Brad St John, Luke Visser and Jack Hogan will become very important to us.” 

Cresswell’s calculator is set to get a workout as well, with the coach expecting to sign more players later this week.

It’s believed those players will carry four points each.

“We’ve put a lot of work into our one-point players, I think we’re the fittest we’ve ever been,” Cresswell said.

“I can see Brad St John stepping straight into Sam Murray’s spot, Hogan has been very impressive at training as well.

“Their role in the side becomes all the more important now.” 

Cresswell also played down the extent of a back injury suffered by Dean Heta.

The key position player had a minor operation on his back, but has avoided what might have been a 10-week layoff.

Heta is expected to be fit for round one, but Cresswell is in no rush to bring him back in.

“He showed plenty of courage to play that final against Yarrawonga, he could barely move,” he said.

“Dean saw the specialist last week and he was pleased with his recovery, so we’re expecting him to be fit.

“He might come back through the twos for match fitness.”