Not so this year.

While Richards is doing as much pre-season training as she can with the Bendigo Spirit, she also has a netball grand final to prepare for.

On Saturday, Richards will don the goal shooter bib and spearhead Golden Square’s attack in the BFNL A-grade grand final against Strathfieldsaye.

Win or lose, Richards won’t have much time to celebrate or commiserate. On Sunday she’ll make a 635km round trip to play with the Spirit in a pre-season match against Dandenong in Traralgon.

“It’s been a bit hectic the past few weeks juggling netball and the Spirit pre-season training,’’ Richards admitted.

“I’m very lucky that both clubs have been so accommodating in letting me do both.”

Richards said her decision to play netball this winter rather than basketball in the South East Australian Basketball League had paid dividends physically and mentally.

“I’ve had a ball with Golden Square this year,’’ she said.

“They are a great club and we have an awesome team. The change of pace has been great for me.

“Playing at 3pm in the afternoon rather than Saturday night and the fact I don’t have to travel as much has been a big bonus.

“Netball has broken up the monotony of playing basketball 12 months of the year.

“The netball competition has been very tough and the skill set is amazing. I feel as though it will help me with my basketball.”

The WNBL off-season was a tumultuous one for the Spirit. Coach Bernie Harrower was replaced by Simon Pritchard and championship-winning team-mates Kristi Harrower, Chelsea Aubry, Sara Blicavs, Madddie Garrick and Tessa Lavey departed.

“There’s been a fair bit of change, but we feel as though we’ve come together really well,’’ Richards said.

“We’ve welcomed in some brilliant girls to our group and they’ve settled in well. Obviously, Simon is introducing new systems to the group and he’s been really patient with us.”

Richards played in last Sunday’s practice match win over Perth in Ballarat.

“It was my first game for eight months, but once I got out there I felt great,’’ Richards said.

“It was awesome to play alongside (new import) Joy (Burke). It’s nice to have someone taller than me as a team-mate. She’s settling in really well, it felt as though we’d been playing together for years.”

With the WNBL season a little over a fortnight away, Richards is happy to cut-short end of netball season drinks with Golden Square this weekend to make sure she gets to Traralgon on Sunday to play with the Spirit against Dandenong.

“I have recruited my Dad to drive me to Traralgon on Sunday,’’ Richards said with a laugh.

“It’s a bit daunting to think the season is so close, so it’s important to play in these pre-season games.”