The Western Warriors are hoping a bit more consistency will push them into the Victorian Netball League finals for the first time.
The Warriors have finished with six wins in each of their first two seasons but have struggled to match it week in, week out.
Last season they dropped several games that they should have won.
Warriors coach Kim Bailey said they had looked to add some more depth across the court.
“It’s really exciting and it’s been a long pre-season,” she said. “We’re ready to go.
“We’re looking pretty good and I think we have strengthened our defence line.
“Megan Allen will make a big difference in regards to physicality.
“Finn [Fionnuala Mckeagney-Stubbs ] adds a different dimension in the defence line as well.
“Mia Lavis in attack has been working really hard with Kim Borger. Kali Dolphin has been incredible in the mid-court and I’m excited to see what she can do.”
Borger had announced her retirement from VNL after last season, but will play this season as well as being an assistant coach for the 23 and unders.
She will replace Rebecca Hicks who can’t commit to playing after moving to the country.
“Kim came out of retirement to help us,” Bailey said.
“Her fitness is the best I’ve seen in a long time. There’s more different combinations with her and Mia and there has been a really good success.
“It’s always been seamless with her and Poppy [Douglass].”
Bailey said having Ruby Shannon back at full fitness would help them massively in the midcourt after she missed several weeks with an ankle injury last year.
Olivia Ellis is another who will return from injury and help the defensive midcourt position.
Allen makes the move from England to play for the Warriors, having played in the English Netball Super League.
“She sent out an email saying she wanted to come out and play and did we have any spots,” Bailey said.
“We had a couple of chats on teams and watched some footage and it was very impressive.
“We’ve been delighted with how she has fitted in with the group.”
The Warriors have a number of practice matches lined up before the season gets underway on 11 March.
Bailey said consistency would be the biggest key for them.
“We need to make sure to get over the line in close games to make finals,” she said.
“We know we can make finals.
“We know how to buckle down and do what we need to do.”
Meanwhile, Bailey said they had kept the core group of their under-23s together and added some more depth.
She said Charlize Bellette, who joins from Geelong, in attack and Taylah Easton, who is an Australian under-19 squad member, in defence would make a difference.
“The girls didn’t finish as high as we would have liked,” she said.
“Another year under their belts in VNL will hopefully make a difference.”
