The Maroons – beaten by Calivil United in this year’s preliminary final – are set to take to the field in 2018 with a bulked up list that should have them in a position to strongly contend for their first premiership since 2000.

Among the recruits are 2016 Castlemaine best and fairest Tommy Horne, a class midfielder who spent this year on VFL club Box Hill’s list, but was hampered by injury.

“Tommy is a huge get for us. He has a few mates already at Newbridge and players of his calibre don’t come around very often in country footy,” Newbridge coach Brad Comer said on Thursday.

“I’m sure he will set a standard with his fitness and skills and we’ll all learn something off him.”

One of the key areas the Maroons have sought to improve is their forward line.

The Maroons were able to reach the preliminary final this year, despite having only three players kick more than 20 goals – the most of which was Sam Kennedy’s 30.

On the back of star forward and former captain Sam Mildren indicating he is keen to come out of retirement and return to the field for the Maroons next season, Newbridge also has Rhys Ford returning to Riverside Park.

Ford booted 50 goals in 13 games for North Bendigo this year, and is also a former Newbridge leading goalkicker, having booted 79 for the Maroons in 2014.

Ford remains the last Newbridge player to have kicked a double-figure bag of goals, having slotted 15 against Inglewood in round five, 2014.

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“Losing the preliminary final really stung and when we sat down at the end of the season our first priority was to keep the list together,” Comer said.

“We then spoke about what we needed and the biggest standout was that we were able to get the ball into our forward line enough, but just didn’t kick enough goals.

“So we knew we needed to go out and get some firepower and we’ve been able to do that.”

That sought-after firepower will also include former Northern Territory Thunder player Jayden Prior, who will offer the Maroons plenty of key position versatility with his arrival.

“Jayden is about 26 and played some really good footy. He is a bit of a utility in that he can play centre half-forward, full-forward and in the ruck,” Comer said.

“He also played a lot of his football with the NT Thunder at centre half-back and that experience he brings is going to be really important.”

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Brendan Josey (from Harcourt), Jordan Cavallaro (Heathcote), Zac Heaslip (Alexandra) and Chris McKnight have also signed with the Maroons.

Josey will provide the Maroons with some outside run on the wing, Comer expects Cavallaro and Heaslip to add to Newbridge’s midfield depth, while McKnight, who has previously played at Castlemaine, will fill a key role in defence.

Cavallaro was Heathcote’s joint leading goalkicker this season with 17, while Heaslip has previously played at Newbridge.

And after suffering a season-ending knee injury in round two this year, the Maroons will also have Brian Mustafa returning to the field in 2018.

“The most important thing with all our recruits is they are all good people and good clubmen,” Comer said.

At this stage the only departure from the Maroons is Ash Grant (retired).

Newbridge will hold its first pre-season training session on Saturday.

The Maroons have had no change to their player points allocation of 46.