WANGARATTA coach Luke Morgan has poured cold water on the hype surrounding Wangaratta Rovers as being one of the most improved sides in the competition.
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The Hawks - under coach Daryn Cresswell - have been the most active club over the off-season with former Western Bulldog rookie Jamason Daniels their biggest signing.
They have also signed Charlie Hill (Tatura) and Tyrone Armitage (Manly Waringah).
Former skipper Tyson Hartwig, Ryan Stone and Alex Marklew have also returned to the club.
Morgan said he wasn't surprised to see Cresswell orchestrate a recruiting blitz.
"The Rovers have recruited heavily as they tend to do," Morgan said.
"But have they recruited well or simply added to their list?
"At this time of the year confirmed departures are often kept a lot quieter than recruits.
"So you just have to weigh-up whether their ins match their outs or not?"
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The Hawks have also confirmed Creswell's son, Jake, will relocate to the Border from Tasmania in the new year.
Small forward Mat Medcraft is the only confirmed departure.
Sam and Nick Murray have nominated Rovers as their second club when free of VFL commitments with Williamstown.
In contrast the Magpies have so far been relatively quiet on the recruiting front.
Dual best and fairest Joe Richards has signed with Northern Blues.
Full-back Jamie Anderson (overseas) and Ben Douthie (retired) are confirmed departures.
Morgan said the premiership race was shaping as the most competitive in more than a decade with no obvious standout.
"It's only early but there looks to be seven sides who would consider themselves finals contenders," he said.
"Our list has remained fairly stable and we have been able to retain most of our list and have still got a couple of irons in the fire recruiting wise.
"The reigning premiers have still got a strong list.
"Albury are Albury and only a fool would take them lightly.
"Both Yarrawonga and Wodonga Raiders have recruited well.
"And then there is Myrtleford who made the preliminary final and only look to be getting stronger and will be around the mark."
Morgan said the Magpies had spoken to former Murray Bushranger Wilson Mack about his intentions for next year.
Mack played for Brock-Burrum this season and has recently gained employment with the Wangaratta Chronicle.
His grandfather, Kevin Snr, was a dual premiership player with the the Magpies.
Wilson's uncle, Ray, is also a two-time O&M premiership player with Lavington.
