THE signings of Michael Warren, Mark McGough and Jamie McNamara, development of some homegrown players and three pre-season wins have East Fremantle ready to fire heading into the 2010 season.
Season-ending injuries to key players Ryley Dunn, Daniel Dalby, Courtney Johns and Chris Hall sent East Fremantle to a disappointing end to last season after winning the first four games.
Then with Kyle Hardingham drafted and Johns and Andrew McCarrey leaving, coach Shane Woewodin had to act to field a strong unit in 2010 and he appears to have done that.
The Sharks' midfield is significantly strengthened with the arrivals of McGough and McNamara, and now they also have more big man power in former Claremont 113-game veteran Warren. He will spend time in defence and in the ruck and provides Woewodin with great leadership and versatility.
"It's been a long process for all parties, but it's a fantastic signing to get Micky over from Claremont. To have him suit up against Subi a couple of weeks ago and have him best on ground was great, and it fills an area that we've been lacking in terms of another key position player. He can play ruck, key defence and have an impact on games," Woewodin said.
"With Johns and McCarrey gone, it's important and he's in that 27-year-old age bracket where he provides some seniority and leadership. His arrival also takes a bit of pressure off Kasey (Green) and Luke Weller down back so they don't have to play on the key forwards all the time."
McGough played 37 AFL games with Collingwood and 12 with St Kilda, and McNamara 19 with West Coast so both bring good experience to East Fremantle's midfield.
"I expect big things from Mark. He's in the leadership group already along with McNamara, and they've both just come here full-time," he said.
"It's been great for them to work into the group at the moment. Mark was in good form against Subi and we're looking for big things from him. Both him and J-Mac give us some grunt around the footy and some seniority."
Having beaten South Fremantle, Subiaco and West Perth in the pre-season, East Fremantle is looking good heading into Saturday's Round 1 clash with Perth at EFTel Oval, and Woewodin is looking forward to the season.
"It's exciting, it really is. We've put in an impressive and strong pre-season, and we've worked really hard on our game plan, style of footy and things we want to implement," he said.
"It's just that unknown at the moment going into Round 1 and the season ahead, but it's been a great pre-season, we won our three games and overall it has been a really good six months. We're now eager to get the season rolling.
"To have competition for spots is good and it's healthy to have a competitive environment. We've got limited injuries, so everyone has to perform and train well to get a game right now."
The new arrivals aren’t the only ones that Woewodin is confident of having a big impact this season either. He is expecting plenty from the likes of Jacob Brennan, Callum Leslie, James Venturini and Conor Davidson.
"Jacob Brennan has come on and he'll put his hand up for Round 1. He's been a terrific find for us this year after we thought he'd play senior footy last season but he didn’t because of injuries. It's a great story after he's come through our development squads, colts and now to play senior footy," he said.
"Venturini is another I'm looking at having a big year, he's another one who missed the boat two years ago but the penny has dropped now and he's learning how to work hard. We're hoping Conor Davidson takes another step with his footy, Cal Leslie looks like he's taken another step and there's plenty of pressure on for spots."
