Chiltern proved to be last season's surprise packets after notching 15 wins to climb from 10th on the ladder the previous year to second.
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Although the Swans exited the finals in straight sets, Luke Brookes' charges proved how dangerous a proposition they can be after claiming the prized scalp of Thurgoona late in the season.
But can they remain a finals force without star forward Ricky Whitehead who has relocated to Western Australia?
Brookes caught-up with The Border Mail this week and is adamant the Swans won't be one hit wonders.
BRENT GODDE: Ricky Whitehead obviously departed at the end of last year but have you been able to keep your list intact?
LUKE BROOKES: We have probably lost two recruits that would have played this year. Otherwise we will be fairly similar to the previous year.
BG: Your biggest signing since last year was former Henty star Zorran Bin Busu. Do you expect him to play this season?
LB: I'm not 100 per cent sure but we are still talking to him. Zorran has just become a father recently and is weighing up his options.
BG: How have you approached the pre-season?
LB: Most of the players were really keen to have a crack, so we have been training at a good intensity. We have got a fair few kilometers into the legs and approached it like a normal pre-season.
BG: Ash Van Klaveren has stepped down as co-coach. You are keen to coach outright?
LB: I've decided to coach by myself this season. Ideally we would like to sign an assistant coach with the view of having a bit of a succession plan where he can coach the following year.
BG: Sounds like you are still keen to recruit then?
LB: We haven't appointed an assistant coach and would like to fill that position with the right recruit if possible. We are still talking to a few other recruits as well. But I'm more than happy with the list and if we sign any more, it's just a bonus.
IN OTHER NEWS
BG: The discrepancy in the salary cap between the Tallangatta and Hume league is a bit of a talking point?
LB: It certainly makes it a lot harder to recruit when a neighbouring league has got $15,000 more to play with. I thought Peter Cook made some valid points in his article last week.
BG: Have you got any promising kids who will be given senior opportunities this season?
LB: Nick Stephens, Dylan Van Klaveren and Ashton Brookes have been putting in the hard yards at training. They will be rewarded with opportunities at different stages this season.
