Watchlist: Hampden stars to keep an eye on in 2022

Those involved are hoping for 18 home-and-away rounds and a final series in 2022.

Now, on the eve of the season, The Standard identifies 20 players to keep an eye on when the season kicks off on Saturday.

Club: North Warrnambool Eagles

Position: Ruck-forward

Verdict: A boom signing straight out of the AFL system. The ex-West Coast ruckman-forward will give opposition headaches with his size, strength and experience.

Club: Cobden

Position: Utility

Verdict: The new co-captain is a game-changer who can fill a number of roles. Comfortable in defence and damaging in attack. Will be crucial to the Dan Casey-coached side's chances.

Club: Camperdown

Position: Key forward

Verdict: Goal-kicker who can tear a side apart. Kicked 57 goals from 11 games, including a haul of 10 and bag three bags of seven, in his Hampden league return last year. A key to the Magpies' fortunes.

Club: Koroit

Position: Key forward

Verdict: One of the league's most dangerous players. A key forward with enviable aerobic capacity who can outwork opponents up the field. A match-winner.

Club: Port Fairy

Position: Midfield

Verdict: Elite midfielder who returns from a season with SANFL club South Adelaide. Has the ability to hit the scoreboard and will provide on-field experience.

Club: South Warrnambool

Position: Forward

Verdict: Recruited to help bolster the forward line as a key position prospect. Coming off a wrist reconstruction but watched the club play last season and will know what's expected of him when he runs out.

Club: Terang Mortlake

Position: Key forward

Verdict: A revelation last season capable of taking contested marks and kicking bags of goal. Gives the Bloods a vocal point.

Club: Warrnambool

Position: Wing-midfield

Verdict: Boom recruit from South Warrnambool who is a line-breaking goal-kicker. Will complement great mate Jackson Bell and provide a spark for the Blues.

Club: South Warrnambool

Position: Midfield

Verdict: A ball winner with AFL experience who can fill a variety of roles for the Roosters. Capable of hitting the scoreboard.

Club: North Warrnambool Eagles

Position: Midfield

Verdict: Won a Maskell Medal as a teenager after a breakout 2021 campaign. Eye-catching player who glides across the ground.

Club: Portland

Position: Ruck

Verdict: One of the most influential ruckmen in the competition. Gives the Tigers' midfielders first use and is mobile to be a threat across the ground.

Club: South Warrnambool

Position: Forward

Verdict: The recruit is a hybrid and mobile forward who will provide another forward option and ease the pressure on Dylan Weir and Shannon Beks.

Club: North Warrnambool Eagles

Position: Wing-forward

Verdict: The recruit landed from Geelong league outfit Grovedale and will provide a spark on a wing with the potential to float forward and become a goal-kicking option. Has pace.

Club: Hamilton Kangaroos

Position: Defence-midfield

Verdict: Returns to the club after a stint at Geelong league club Leopold and expects to play as a small defender or midfielder - depending on where he's required. Joins brother Josh - a creative forward - in re-joining the Roos.

Club: Koroit

Position: Forward

Verdict: A game-changer at Warrnambool and District league level with Merrivale. Joined Koroit to challenge himself and will provide a spark inside 50. A creative small forward.

Club: Portland

Position: Midfield

Verdict: Returns to Tigerland and will be an asset with his running capabilities. Had an equal-best beep test at the NAB League pre-season testing in 2016 when he set 16.2.

Club: Warrnambool

Position: Forward

Verdict: A shoulder injury wrecked his Blues' home-coming last season but the premiership player - in the twilight of his career - is still capable of winning a game off his own boot.

Club: Terang Mortlake

Position: Ruck

Verdict: One of the league's emerging ruckmen who took on the Bloods' number one mantle last season. Boasts agility and a cleanliness at ground level.

Club: Camperdown

Position: Wing

Verdict: An outside midfielder who arrived at Leura Oval last season via NAB League team Western Jets. A hard runner who prides himself on his accurate left-foot kicking.

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