Leitchville-Gunbower snared just one win last year — in round two against Huntly by a solitary point before failing to taste victory for the rest of the season.
But the Bombers have more firepower on hand under new coach Shannon Keam as they aim to put a tumultuous two seasons behind them.
Tyler Jones makes his return to Leitchville-Gunbower for the first time since 2019, set to form a productive partnership with former Moama and Kinglake spearhead Chris Horman.
The Bombers’ key stocks have also been bolstered by Banks ruckman Lachie Sverns on the eve of the season, while Jobee Warde will once again be a force to watch.
Brayden Nevett has made the move across from Tongala to shore up the Bombers’ back half.
On paper it’s a squad that looks more than capable of mixing it with the higher-ranked teams, though prior to the season Keam said he was simply looking for “consistency across four quarters”.
The squad’s first test will be against a Demons side that progressed to HDFNL finals in 2022.
On the netball courts a new-look Leitchville-Gunbower squad tackles last year’s grand finalists first-up.
The Demons fell to Elmore in the grand final by eight goals.
Against an L-G side missing four of its senior regulars from last year it looks like a stiff challenge to open the year for the Bombers.
But coach Gemma Angove isn’t seeing it that way, explaining that it’s an exciting opportunity to see where her side sits in the pecking order early.
“I feel like we’ve had a big build-up and a really good pre-season,” Angove said.
“It’s exciting to come up against White Hills first-up because it’s going to be a really good test to see where we sit.
“From all accounts they haven’t really lost anyone.”
The squad will be led by new skipper Maddy Curran, joined by new recruits Maddy Hall and Matilda Candy.
Angove said Curran was an exciting prospect to keep an eye on after impressing in the pre-season.
“I’m so excited to see what she’s going to bring; she’s super-fit, got a great netball mind and I’m excited to see her grow.”
The first bounce of the senior clash between Leitchville-Gunbower and White Hills will be at 2.30pm at Leitchville Recreation Reserve, with the A-grade netball action under way at the same time.
