It might just be that the scales tip back towards Central this year, particularly now that it seems to have assembled a more "balanced" looking squad.
Still possessing an enviable array of tall players it has now added PAFL Team of the Year back-flanker Ryan McDonald from the Hawks, hard at it Dion Tansell also from West, the pacey winger Sean Dawson from Tea Tree Gully, rover Ben Yeomans from the Riverland, Central Whyalla utility Nick Callary and Brett McKerlie and the man who can put more steps into a square metre than Dancing with the Stars’ Todd McKenney!
There is some chance that the legendary ex-Wolves forward Kane Allen may turn out for the black and reds and match-winning midfielder Shannon Wilson may also follow but this is as yet unconfirmed.
The optimism is tempered a little with the fact that three players will be biding their time until perhaps the second half of the season as they recover from long-term injuries - Reece Blaschek, Shaun McIntyre and Shane Parker.
In fact the loss of Simon Nowak to West Whyalla, Cameron Pannach returning to Adelaide with work, Bradley Page to South Whyalla, club life member Paul Higginbottom to South and former captain and fellow club life member Cameron Redden to retirement means a vastly different unit will take the field this year.
The Bloods have been under enormous pressure to perform for the past three seasons now as they assembled a squad that some say should have achieved more.
The team finished fourth last year after losing to West in the elimination final and being third for much of the minor rounds.
Arguably the biggest lesson to come out of 2007 was the need to put faith in young legs and although 10 colts played league footy last year many were overlooked for the finals.
This SGL season looks to be even more about speed so hopefully we could be reporting about the emergence of "Hayes Hannagan Street Hornets" come mid-season?
The biggest coup for the club is the acquisition of West Augusta premiership coach from 2005 Ray "Radar" Hayes.
A no-nonsense approach and a high importance placed on fitness and commitment could see Central end a 16-year flag drought.
Watch for Yeomans and Dawson to take pressure off Keatley.
Prediction: top four
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