Nestles captain Geoff Williams ready for 2019-20 WDCA season

The third-year Factory captain has handed the coaching reigns to Alex Strauch as the club strives to lift itself into Warrnambool and District Cricket Association finals contention.

Williams said the move had "lifted a weight off my shoulders".

The all-rounder, who opens the Factory's batting, said Strauch was a strong organiser who "wants to help".

"I have been by myself a little bit the last couple of years," Williams said.

"I've been at Nestles for a long time and on the committee and just being a player now, I am really looking forward to it.

"My excitement is through the roof to be honest. The first round of the season is on turf so it's going to be interesting."

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Williams averaged 23 runs a game and took 15 wickets last season.

He believes he can increase that output, starting in round one against Allansford on Saturday.

"I am always looking to improve," Williams said.

"I want more runs and more wickets than last season.

"I have no specific expectations but I want to be the guy at the top of the order who does the right thing.

"The old saying 'be at there at drinks' still rings true.

"I want to help set the foundation and make sure I do that more often than not this season."

Nestles has added firepower to help Williams at the crease.

Top-order batsman Brendan Chatfield has joined the Factory from Grassmere Cricket Association club Killarney.

But the Reid Oval-based club has lost bowler Lewis Eldridge who will try his luck with Victorian Premier Cricket club Geelong.

Youngsters Jackson Couch (North Warrnambool Eagles) and Todd White (Koroit), who faced off in the Hampden league senior grand final late last month, will have delayed starts due to long football seasons.

Williams said the Factory's average age this season would be 21 or 22 and teenagers Will White, Wil Hinkley and Ben Conboy would all push for division one opportunities.

White made his top-grade debut at the end of last season and is expected to play against the Gators in Saturday's one-day opener.

Williams said all three had talent and had worked hard during pre-season.

"They are full of beans and the life of the party," he said.

"Hopefully they bring confidence. Wil Hinkley is a top-order bat, Will White is a bowling all-rounder and Ben Conboy is a fast bowler."

Nestles finished eighth last season but Williams said the Factory was aiming high despite its young list.

"We've got to be looking at finals and early wins, especially when 60 per cent of points allocated come before Christmas," he said.

"One-dayers and Twenty20s are worth six points so we've got to fire early."

Round one features one-day matches.

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