Keilor continues to buck the trend with the club still growing ahead of the Bowls Victoria weekend pennant season.
The Bulls numbers have grown in recent years and continued to grow in the off season, while many other clubs lost numbers and fielding less sides.
Bulls’ president Joe Watkins said things were travelling along really nicely and they were keen for the season to get underway.
“We’ve added 12 or 14 bowlers which is good,” he said. “It bucks the trend.
“We have been working really hard and we’re starting to get a young group coming through which is really good.
“It adds to the club. They are the future of the club and the next generation coming through not all the old buggers.
“We’re starting to reset and move to that next generation to take over the club.”
The Bulls top side will again play in division 2, section 1.
They are coming off a grand final appearance last season, having played finals the past few years and been one of the teams to beat without getting it done.
Watkins said they had to move on from the disappointment of a grand final loss which they thought they should have won.
“We need to focus on the job at hand and it’s not going to be easy,” he said. “We want to get a spot in the four and we have to earn it.
“Once in the top four you have to win when it counts and it’s not over until the 84th end.”
Watkins said they thought they had a stronger side than last season and they had learned a lot from the grand final loss.
He said the group was ready to go.
“We are pretty confident in the squad we have,” he said. “Quite a few players from the last couple of years in the lower grades have improved and are pushing for top class selection which is good.
“There’s a good vibe around the place.”
The Bulls were set to start the season against Werribee on Saturday, after deadline.
Like the Bulls, Werribee has gone close the past few years without having the ultimate success.
The Bulls beat Werribee in the finals last year to win into the grand final, with the Bees playing in the grand final the previous year.
While the Bees have lost a few players, Watkins said they wouldn’t be taking them lightly.
Meanwhile in premier division, Deer Park was set to starts its season on Friday night against Yarraville-Footscray, after deadline.
