Stand-in captain Martin Luskan is confident Keira can still be a force this season despite losing a host of experienced players from the premiership team.

The Lions won last year's grand final when they outlasted University in controversial circumstances.

The match umpires ended the decider early due to poor light and Keira were awarded the win, as University's run chase was cut short.

But Keira's premiership is etched in the record books forever and Luskan is keen to add to the club's trophy cabinet in 2014-15.

The Lions have lost representative captain Graeme Batty to Sydney over the off-season.

He headlines a list of outs including Lincoln Bendall-Moon, Mark Johnston, Tim Laws and Daniel Laus.

Luskan knows they are big shoes to fill but is confident in the club's up-and-coming talent.

"At the moment I think we're missing about seven from last year's premiership team," Luskan said.

"We've got a lot of good young players coming up through the ranks, which is good.

"We've got some juniors coming up from 16s and maybe some from the lower grades from last year.

"We've thrown them into the mix this year, which is good.

"It's going to be an interesting year for the club."

Keira will be boosted by the return of former Illawarra representative pace bowler Kyle Kruger.

Kruger parted ways with the Lions a couple of years ago but has returned to inject some experience into the team.

Jono Cook has been handed the captaincy in place of Batty, but Cook is presently overseas and Luskan will assume the responsibility for the opening fortnight of the season.

The reigning premiers will open their campaign by taking on last season's wooden spooners Wests Illawarra at Keira Village on Saturday.

The two clubs were at opposite ends of the ladder last time they met but Luskan is careful not to underestimate Wests.

"I think Wests have picked up Joshua Hill from Balgownie," he said.

"Josh is a danger man as a keeper and opening batter.

"I think they've got a couple of other players, possibly from Sydney.

"But it will be interesting to see where we're at compared to Wests."