THE Meringur Football Club will return from a year in the wilderness this season in a huge boost to the Millewa league.

The seven-team competition was reduced to six on the eve of the 2012 season when the Kangaroos opted to move into recession.

With the club facing a massive player shortage it was feared it would be lost forever.

But a determined committee, and a significant coaching coup has breathed new life into the Roos and provided an important boost to the league.

Meringur secretary Adam Astill said the club still had some work to do before Round 1 but that this stage everything was going to plan.

"There were times during the past 12 months when I didn’t think we’d make it but everything appears to be pretty positive at the minute," Astill said.

"We appointed Peter Lindsay as coach in October and that has helped to attract some quality players."

Astill said Lindsay, a respected figure in the Sunraysia region, was attracted by the challenge.

"He (Lindsay) has spent the majority of his football life associated with the Merbein Football Club but was keen to take up the challenge and lead his own side."

While merely putting a team on the park will be an achievement for the Roos, Astill said the club wasn’t there just to make up the numbers.

"It’s a big part of our philosophy – to be competitive - and hopefully we will win enough games to push for a finals spot."

"The club is pretty healthy off the field but we’re not looking too spend up big and risk falling back into recession."

Meringur will play it's home games at Lake Cullulleraine and is currently training at venue in Merbein

Millewa league manager Peter Hartmnan said it was fantastic to have the club back up and running.

"A seven-team competition is obviously much better, even just for because of the benefits in our fixture," he said.