"They are fools for thinking anything like that. When you've played footy long enough, you know when you've got a group that's capable of doing some damage."

It's been five months since North Albury unveiled its new leader, raising hope at the Hoppers and eyebrows at opposition clubs.

After a lifetime of controversy, Akermanis has never been accused of being backwards in coming forward.

But the three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player has, by all reports, slipped comfortably into his new role.

The club has welcomed a host of recruits notably sacked St Kilda star Jason Gram and posted impressive performances in its practice games against high-quality teams.

"We clearly needed some more talent but we didn't need to reinvent the wheel," Akermanis said of the playing list he inherited from outgoing Hoppers coach Bob Craig.

"I think we ended up with 12 new recruits, which sounds like a lot, but they'll take time to jell.

"What staggered me was the amount of talent in the main group that was already there."

Gram, 28, arrived at the club after a North Albury player suggested they should try to recruit him.

"I didn't have his number at the time, but we got hold of it and I sent him a text telling him what we were after," Akermanis said.

"He said 'I heard you came last'. I told him we did, but it's not the same team, not the same club, not the same anything any more."

Joining Gram at the Hoppers is 2009 Goulburn Valley league best-and-fairest Brian Durbidge and former Griffith forward Jethro Calma-Holt.

After stints with Ovens and Murray rival Wodonga Raiders and WAFL club East Perth, full-forward Adam Prior a North Albury export will also return to the green and gold this year.

"We've got a strong forward line and very good midfielders, but I needed to sacrifice a couple of good forwards and put them down back for their kicking skills and to strengthen things up," Akermanis said.

One of those "sacrifices" was captain Dan Leslie, a regular Ovens and Murray and VCFL representative who has led the Hoppers' goalkicking for the past four seasons.

Now, he's lining up at centre half-back.

"I think he's really enjoying it," Akermanis said.

"He still does everything else takes marks, stops his opponent but without the burden of needing to kick goals.

"If I can strengthen the backline with blokes like him, then our forward thrusts are in good hands."

Leslie's end-to-end transition isn't the only change at Bunton Park, with Akermanis calling on the expertise of a sports psychologist and dietitian to help turn around the club's fortunes.

With an eye on an AFL coaching job in the future, Akermanis is determined to run a tight ship this season.

"I'll have a look at it (moving to an AFL club) at the end of this year, but I would say if I like coaching, I'll absolutely have a go," he said.

"A lot of blokes are happy to stay comfortable in one league and just be there for a long time. That's of no interest to me."

At 36, the 2001 Brownlow Medallist insists his body is still in good condition and ready for the rigours of a full season.

But Hoppers fans will wait until Round 2 to see their new leader pull on the boots for a home-and-away match.

"Because of politics they want me to play my first game at our home ground, but I'll be coaching this weekend," he said.

"In the first four rounds we play both grand finalists from last year, so we'll get a great gauge of where we're at."