Kerang stalwart Troy Thamm, captain since 2005 and with more than 200 senior games under his belt, said the club's sustained success was due to its emphasis on local talent.

"We have focused on keeping our locals and since playing off in grand finals we have been lucky enough to hang on to them," Thamm said.

"We have a really loyal bunch of young kids that makes the club a lot stronger.

"They get offered better money to go elsewhere, but they go off to university and they come back and play or just stay involved."

In ominous news for their opponents, Thamm said the Blues' best was yet to come.

"We have got some really good players between the age of 21 and 25 that have been in the system for a few years. A lot of them have played in two or three grand finals and they are probably only just starting to get towards their best," he said.

Thamm remained tight-lipped on the possible return of home-grown hero Luke Livingston, but The Weekly Times understands the Carlton 46-gamer will line up for the Blues in a handful of games.

He confirmed the Blues would bolster their troops with the return of Kyle Robertson, Josh Bray and Luke Cotchett.

The club has appointed midfielder Troy Coates as coach, with Paul Grayling departing for Pyramid Hill in the Loddon Valley league.

Coates is one of eight new leaders in the 11-team Central Murray league, after a changing of the guard over summer.

Last year's runner-up, Woorinen, has appointed Nick Trenfield, while Tyntynder will be coached by Mark Corrie.

Koondrook Barham (Shaun Filo), Swan Hill (Xavier Moloney), Mallee Eagles (Bo Alexander), Lake Boga (Liam Richmond) and Balranald (Jeff Weekley and Josh Richards) also have new coaches.

While Woorinen has lost a handful of its grand final players, Trenfield has recruited plenty of replacements and re-signed ex-AFL player Andrew Lovett for another season.