Rivals Hamilton and Hamilton Imperials hastily merged and moved next door to the higher-standard Hampden league. Portland followed, uncertain about the future of its then-home.

"The review certainly didn't help us," Casterton president Greg Bright said. "We were stuck like the proverbial shag on a rock. The VCFL weren't too concerned about us when they made their recommendations and we were the ones that really copped it in the neck."

Rather than complain, Casterton's committee set about destroying the club's "easy beats" tag in the new-look Western Border competition.

The Cats seniors' last finals appearance was a first semi-final loss to East Gambier in 2007, and their most recent premiership was in 1990.

The past three seasons have netted only seven wins.

"We've had it pretty tough and haven't been very competitive," said Bright, pictured left. "But we made a conscious decision this year to be competitive, and we will be.

"Something had to change."

While Round 1 is a month away, the Cats' turnaround to date has the town's 1500 residents full of hope.

Despite the 350km drive from Melbourne, the club has attracted quality recruits, including coach Dylan Ayton, 25. The Tasmanian played with the VFL's Bendigo Bombers and, more recently, won two flags with Spotswood in Melbourne's Western Region Football League.

"Dylan wanted to get out of Melbourne, we heard he was available, he came up for a chat and that was it," Bright said. "He's living and working here - he's a builder - and it's great for our small town to have some new blood. He walks down the street and everyone stops him to ask him how the footy's going."

Ayton was centre half-back in Spotswood's 2011 premiership team and was named on the half-back flank in the Western Region's 2012 team of the year.

His former teammate in Tasmania, Tim Macmichael, has also joined the Cats as assistant coach and is working in the region as a teacher. A rover, Macmichael played in premierships with the Burnie Dockers and more recently coached Somerset to a flag in Tasmania's Darwin Football Association.

The new-look coaching panel has also fuelled the return of several former Cats, including reigning Mid South East league best-and-fairest winner Chris Perry.

The midfielder spent last season with Tantanoola in the South Australian league.

Rover Will Richardson, who played school football in Adelaide last year, and former Ballarat Rebel Adam McKenzie, who has spent recent seasons with Melbourne club West Preston Lakeside, are also back at the Cats.

On the other side of the ledger, three-time club best-and-fairest winner Dylan Ryan has departed for Noosa.

"People said we wouldn't be able to get blokes to come to play in a six-team comp, but that hasn't been a problem at all," Bright said.

"None of them have been worried about it, they just want to play footy."

With nine home games in the 15-round season, Bright said the club would capitalise on strong home-ground support.

"Footy's a big part of this town," he said.

"We've got a got a good following but, like most clubs, when you're winning there's even more here to watch.

"Hopefully we can be a bit more successful, kick a few goals and win a few games, then people will come out of the woodwork."