LAST YEAR: 5th – 9-8

BEARS Lagoon-Serpentine is shaping as one of the teams to watch in the Loddon Valley league this year given the dramatic improvement it made last season.

From a winless wooden-spooner in 2016, the Bears last year made the finals in what was a major turnaround in the space of just 12 months.

For coach Greg Gadsden, this year is all about continuing the upwards trajectory.

“The boys have put a big pre-season in and we’re hopeful it’s going to be another improving year for us,” Gadsden said.

“We’ll be looking for the young guys to step up a bit more, and adding some more experience will be a telling factor for us to improve.”

The Bears have four of their former players returning – forward Cody Gunn, on-baller Jye Sandiford and defender Daniel Hayes, who all played in Charlton’s 2016 premiership, and Shaun Bowles.

In a strong endorsement for the club, which hasn’t won a flag since 1995, the only departure is Rhys Deacon.

“The key for us will be to try to lock in a finals berth and then try to win a couple… that’s going to be the major objective for us,” Gadsden said.

Cody Gunn, Jye Sandiford, Daniel Hayes, Shaun Bowles, Jacob Murley, Jed Bish, Patrick Hancock, Anthony Lewin, James Bailey, Brayden Sheahan.

Rhys Deacon.

Sportsbet flag odds: $7

Player points: 46

Last flag: 1995

R1: v Maiden Gully YCW (h)

R2: v Pyramid Hill (a)

R3: v Newbridge (h)

R4: Bye

2017: 5th - 9-8

2016: 9th - 0-16

2015: 3rd - 10-9

2014: 2nd - 13-7

2013: 2nd - 16-3