The O and M is buzzing with the player points system and salary cap making the competition more even.

"No question about it, it's the best it's been I reckon for 10 years, just talking to people, everyone is of the belief that there's at least seven clubs that could all play finals," Sinclair said.

"Hopefully what we think will play out will play out once we get into the season."

Last season's top five again appear to be finals contenders, while sixth-placed Wangaratta Rovers missed out on percentage, but has recruited strongly, including former captain Tyson Hartwig.

Yarrawonga missed finals for the first time after 13 straight campaigns, finishing two wins and percentage out.

However, the Pigeons landed an off-season recruiting coup, snaring two-time Williamstown best and fairests Willie Wheeler and Leigh Masters.

The prospect of former AFL player and first-year coach Mark Whiley returning to his best after a frustrating run of injuries has also steeled belief the club will return quickly to the top five.

At this stage, the bottom three is likely to remain the same, although North Albury has recruited well, but it would take a mighty effort to push from three wins to finals.

The Hoppers can take heart though from Myrtleford's surge from four wins to the preliminary final and the Saints' resurrection was a major factor in the booming finals crowds.

For the first time since the Brendan Fevola era earlier in the decade, the six games passed a barrier with 20,654 across the four weekends.

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The lack of crowds has been a worry, particularly since Fevola's departure.

"I think pretty clearly what we saw last season is you start to build a competitive competition and people will come to games if they know it's going to be a contest," Sinclair said.

"Whether it's finals or home and away, it's all driven by competitiveness."