IN the aftermath of last year's Bendigo Football League grand final loss to Golden Square, Strathfieldsaye was quick to identify the need for more experience to help it take the next step.
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And that's what the Storm has gone out and done, bringing in a combined 478 games worth of AFL experience in former St Kilda duo Stephen Milne (275 games) and Steven Baker (203).
"I think a lack of experience hurt us a few times last year, particularly in the second semi-final and the grand final when Golden Square got on top of us in two 10-minute bursts," Storm coach Darryl Wilson said.
"So the experience Bakes and Milney bring to us is going to be invaluable.
"Probably the biggest thing for us is they have come from that Ross Lyon school of defence and we need to introduce as much of that as we can to pull up sides when they get a run-on.
"A lot of the guys we've got in the side are still only kids and we've got huge upside, so to bring in that extra experience alongside them in those big pressure games is going to be fantastic."
Milne signed with the Storm in October, while Baker - St Kilda's 2005 best and fairest - joined Strathfieldsaye this week and trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Thursday night.
The Storm begin their 2014 season against Golden Square at Tannery Lane on Sunday, April 6, in the grand final rematch.
That keenly-anticipated clash will have a major AFL influence.
As well as Milne and Baker lining up for the Storm, Golden Square's side will include ex-North Melbourne player Corey Jones (157 games) and Hawthorn premiership player Rick Ladson (125 games).
