Step in Aaron Christian. Since his appointment as coach in November, the new Thoroughbreds Big V coach has gone about putting a core of Melton-raised juniors back on the court.

Christian knows what he's working with, being a graduate of Melton's junior system.

"I've been associated with Melton basketball for about 20 years," Christian said.

"Basically the men's side went down a path of bringing in players from out of town. We didn't have a Melton-based senior side and a lot of Melton players left to go to other clubs like Keilor or Ballarat.

"It was a good opportunity now to get those players back in Melton again."

A restructuring of Big V's divisions to eliminate division three and have two pools of division two was one of the main reasons for the grand-final-to-last drop-off in 2011.

Christian said the division reallocation had made things a lot tougher, but returning players to the club would go a long way to returning the team to finals action.

"We have a deep squad to work with, it's given us a chance," Christian said.

"When we started pre-season before putting a side together, the goal was any improvement on last year. After I've seen the side we put together, our goal is simply to make finals.

"Anything less would be disappointing. I don't think there's a team out there that's vastly superior to us."

Centre Shane Maroney will be the key piece Melton builds its team around, with guard Jordan Kirk returning after a season away and Jason Christian also taking a point-guard role.

But the coach wanted to make it clear that past reputations would have to be matched by on-court performances.

"Everybody has to prove themselves to get minutes. When I say guys will be starting, that's assuming they prove themselves in pre-season," Christian said.

"There will be a lot of pressure.

"I do tailor my coaching style to the team I've got, and we're a very quick, high-energy team. Our main strength will be a high-intensity defence and a lot of fast breaks as opposed to set offences.

"Our big guys like Shane and Marty [Pietrykowski] can run the floor as quick as anyone."

The pre-season regime has included some biometric training from a specialist.

"It's been a point of difference to other seasons and what guys have done at other clubs," Christian said.

"We're making a few changes, like bringing back the team bus to games, to make more of that club feel."

The men's division 2 team will be the only grade the Thoroughbreds enter in Big V basketball this season.