DEVASTATING bushfires have taken the gloss off pre-season preparations for a handful of clubs in the Yarra Valley competition.
Eleven players at Alexandra Rebels, last year's division two premier, lost their homes and possessions in the Black Saturday blaze.
The club is currently training at alternative venues as irrigation and oval repair works are undertaken on its home ground.
Because of their win in division two, the Rebels have been promoted to division one and are hoping for a positive year despite their interrupted pre-season.
But they face stiff competition, with Silvan on the hunt for its third consecutive division one flag.
The Cats, coached by former Essendon forward Ben Haynes, have lost captain Chris Goodlet and a host of other players to the metropolitan Eastern Football League.
League pundits expect the Cats to be seriously challenged by Gembrook-Cockatoo and Upwey-Tecoma, who have recruited well over summer.
The Brookers have signed former St Kilda star Aussie Jones, along with Travis Marsham and Ricky Clark.
The trio led Narre-Warren to back-to-back flags in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean league's Casey Cardinia division in 2006-07.
Clark's twin brother Lee, a star forward, has also signed with the Brookers.
Upwey-Tecoma has lured Wade Porter, Tyson Heinrich and a swag of other talented players from the Eastern Football League.
Mount Evelyn has appointed Chris Murphy, from Coldstream, as its new playing coach.
Ben Farrugia (Warburton-Millgrove) and James Charge (Eastern Football League) have also joined the Rovers.
Warburton-Millgrove will be hoping for a finals berth after recruiting strongly, including the addition of Lachlan Collard from Alexandra.
Monbulk has appointed a new senior coach, Luke McCormick from East Ringwood, and has lured premiership players Shannon Koole and Mark Mullinder back to the club.
In division two, Kinglake has plenty to play for this season.
The football community has rallied around the Lakers, ensuring they will be back on the park this season despite the impact of Black Saturday on their town.
Olinda-Ferny Creek makes a return to division two competition, after being relegated from division one at the end of last year.
The Bloods have 10 senior players returning, all of whom came through the club's junior ranks.
In its centenary year, Yarra Junction will be hoping for a much better result than last year's wooden spoon.
With new coach Travis Selby (Woori Yallock/Amateurs) at the helm, recruiting has been strong at the Eagles and training numbers are good.
Yarra Glen has signed two interstate players in Troy Corrin (Northern Territory) and Franky Atkinson (Sapphire Coast), as well as a few players from the Eastern Football League.
Powelltown has appointed Barry McDonald (Northern Football League) as senior coach, while Patrick McKenna has taken the reins at Yea.
Last year's runner-up, Thornton-Eildon, has a new coach, Bernie Hourigan, and will be keen to make amends for its grand final loss to Alexandra.
The footy action kicks off on Saturday in division two, while division one begins on April 18.
