LAST YEAR: Premiers – 17-2

CALIVIL United will defend its premiership without four of its five leading goalkickers from last year.

The departures from the Demons premiership team of 2017 are Bryce Curnow, reigning Harding medallist Ben Knight, Lachlan O’Neill and grand final best-on-ground Luke Marchesi, who between them kicked 162 goals.

Helping to fill the forward void will be two recruits in Chris Sanders and Jesse Muscatello, who will also provide the Demons with a second ruckman to support new skipper Chris Down.

“We’ve got a couple of additions we can add to our forward line, and then we’ll be looking more to our midfield and wingmen to kick goals,” Demons coach Anthony Dennis said.

“If we can get 20-odd goals out of a couple of wingmen and 30 out of a half-forward then it starts to cover the gap.

“But we’re still trying to get another forward before the start of the year that we’ll be able to add to the side.”

As well as Sanders and former Bendigo Pioneer Muscatello, the Demons also have one of their past premiership players in wingman Brock Rogers returning after more than 80 senior games with Eaglehawk, as well as his brother, Daniel.

Jesse Muscatello, Brock Rogers, Daniel Rogers, Chris Sanders, Kale Hoggins.

Bryce Curnow, Ben Knight, Lachlan O'Neill, Luke Marchesi.

Sportsbet flag odds: $4.50

Player points: 46

Last flag: 2017

R1: v Marong (a)

R2: v Mitiamo (h)

R3: v Inglewood (a)

R4: v Bridgewater (h)

2017: 1st - 17-2

2016: 3rd - 12-7

2015: 5th - 8-9

2014: 8th - 3-13

2013: 6th - 6-10