However, COVID torpedoed those plans.

It's now been 51 years since the 1970 title, but there's no less excitement about the club's genuine premiership hopes.

ARRIVALS (SINCE END OF 2019)

Dawson Simpson (GWS), Taylor Hunt (Old Collegians), Matthew Munro (Werribee), Kurt Aylett (Essendon, VFL), Liam Hood (Dederang-Mount Beauty), Samuel Byrne (Wangaratta), Jai Dykstra, Kane Michelini (Bright)

DEPARTURES (SINCE END OF 2019)

Tom Ellard, Blake Parker, Tom McDonagh (travelling with partner)

QUESTION AND ANSWER WITH DAWSON SIMPSON

Q: How excited are you playing at Myrtleford in your first post-AFL move and as a co-coach now?

A: I love it, mate it's everything I hoped it would be for life post-AFL footy. I've got a young family, a five-year girl and a two-year-old boy and we're excited for the lifestyle change back in the country and Myrtleford has played a huge part in helping us achieve that.

Q: You played in the ruck in your 48 games over 12 years with Geelong and GWS, do you see yourself playing both in the ruck and forward in the O and M?

A: Moreso ruck, I played my whole career as a traditional dinosaur they used to call us in the AFL, I'd go forward for a short spell, but 95 percent of my career was spent in the ruck.

Q: Twelve years is a long time in the physically demanding AFL, how is the body?

A: I'm actually really happy with the way my body's feeling and the 12 months off (due to COVID) has certainly helped. I played half a game against Lavington and will play a full game against Euroa this weekend, so I'm very excited for round one.

Q: You battled serious injuries at the elite level, can you outline the pressure you're under?

A: I had a good insight into being a fringe player. When you're trying to play consistent footy and the pressure of internal and external factors are working up, it can become a lot, some players deal with it well, some not as well as others.

Q: How did you handle it?

A: Later in my career I had a family and more of a grasp on life, I was able to deflect the pressure of footy a bit and realised it wasn't everything, whereas in your mid 20s, footy is everything and if you're not playing good footy every week, it can be a high-stress environment.

Q: Where are you working Dawson?

A: I'm with HVP Plantations (based in Bright), I'm on the fire crew, it was quite an interesting experience first year out of footy. I spent three months on the fire line, chasing the bushfires last year.

Q: That must have been a frightening experience?

A: It was at times, it certainly puts footy in perspective.

WHAT LIES AHEAD

Myrtleford did exceptionally well to play in the preliminary final in 2019, but the one knock was the club's lack of pace, particularly in the midfield, has that been rectified?

Yes. Look, the Saints still aren't the quickest team, but in signing Matt Munro full-time and former Geelong and Richmond defender Taylor Hunt, the club has improved that aspect. Elijah Wales is still there and he was their quickest, while Brody Riccardi is lively.

At 209cms, Dawson Simpson will tower above everyone, can he play extended periods in the forward line and dominate?

No. One of the mistakes often made about former AFL players is that because they've played at that higher level, they can automatically excel in another role. When Ben Doolan signed with Albury 20 years ago, some thought he'd move forward and kick a bag of goals, but that was never his go in the AFL. Same with Simpson, sure he's a monster, but you can't expect him to be a Brendan Fevola, just because he's tall.

ALSO IN SPORT:

The Saints have picked up former AFL players Simpson, Hunt and Kurt Aylett, along with ex-Werribee player Munro. They haven't lost much over the past 18 months, but one is underrated ruckman Tom McDonagh, how much will he be missed?

The athletic big man was coming off a career-best season, finishing third in the best and fairest behind Lachie Dale and coach Jake Sharp, so while he wasn't a profile name, McDonagh's absence will hurt. The Saints are well covered in the ruck department, with Simpson and emerging talls Jye Gribbin and Will McKerral, but you can never have enough inspirational workers and McDonagh was one.

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