An influx of talent and a strong start to pre-season training has new Elmore coach Dylan Friedberger confident that the Bloods will improve in 2020.
The Bloods have put in clearances for 13 players, with most of them expected to play HDFNL seniors.
Friedberger and his brother Anthony are included in the 13, with Corey Windridge, Peter Harrison and Damian Wust headlining the swag of recruits.
"Peter Harrison played some VFL footy with the Bendigo Bombers,'' Friedberger said
"He's played with the Fitzroy Stars and won a flag with Rumbalara.
"He can play anywhere really. He is lightning on his feet and can create something out of nothing.
"Corey Windridge is a key position player or ruckman who played senior footy with Rochester.
"Damian Wust has played some good footy in the Bendigo league and he'll give us some experience through the middle of the ground."
Former Elmore players Matthew Nettlefold and Nick Kellow return to the club after playing for Echuca United.
Liam Gundry has also made the move from Echuca United.
Friedberger has high hopes for a recruit from Lancaster.
"Tannar Cerrone has come over from Lancaster after playing some good footy and he's really keen to test himself at a higher level,'' Friedbeger said.
Cerrone adds some class and depth to a young midfield group that was, at times, overpowered by the big bodies of the HDFNL's power teams in 2019.
"The list of midfielders is as deep as you can get, it's pretty crazy,'' Friedberger said.
"I'm really happy with where things are at. So far in pre-season the amount of interest everyone has shown in wanting to develop themselves has been unreal."
Friedberger, who previously played with Leitchville-Gunbower, Cohuna and Echuca, said everything was in place for the Bloods to hit 2020 with a full head of steam.
"My goal was to have all the recruiting done before we started pre-season training,'' he said.
"We still have maybe one more potential recruit, but that's going to depend on points and the salary cap.
"Our goal was to bring in some players to replace what we lost and nurture this young team by adding some professionalism around them so that they can take the next step.
"I think we've achieved that."
Read more: Elmore appoints new coach
Read more: 2020 HDFNL fixture
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