The Thunder will have a striking new look for the clash at J. L. Murphy Reserve, unveiling a new playing strip.

The club gave the Bendigo Advertiser a sneak preview of the new jerseys on Thursday night at major sponsor It's Her Gym, whose owner Sue Walton helped finance the guernseys.

Acting president Sharon Bonazza said the club was grateful for the ongoing support of Walton and her business.

During a week in which the club's coach and president stepped down, Bonazza said things had settled down and the club was now looking forward to Sunday, with a full list of payers to choose from, less one junior who is on state commitments.

The Thunder will be coached by experienced hands Steve Beavis and Clive Blakeway, who have ties with the club through their daughters who are players.

Beavis has been a junior coach with Maryborough Castlemiane District league club Natte Bealiba.

Bonazza was pleased with the appointments and said the Thunder couold now focus solely on the season ahead after last season's sixth placed finish.

"We sufferered some very close losses (last season), but were really competitive every single game," she said.

"We did have a few injury issues that hampered the team, last year, but that happens in sport.

"We had some strong victories towards the end which built momentum going into pre-season."

Skipper Emma Grant said after a long pre-season, which kicked off back in Novemeber, the girls were looking forward to getting back on the field and playing the game they love.

"It's been a fantastic pre-season, we've learnt lots and had a lot of fun along the way," she sad.

"The reason we've done that six months is for what's happening this Sunday.

"We're looking forward to representing Bendigo."

Port Melbourne represents a fresh challenger for the Thunder, after the Colts promotion from division two where they won last year's premiership.

Grant said the off-field events of earlier in the week had been tough on the players, as they had on a host of individuals, but Sunday's match would put the focus squarely back on on-field events.

"The feel around the training track was as good as it could be," she sad.

"The girls got around each other and had some real honest discussions, which was good, and we thought largely about what thre last six months have been all about."

The Thunder's home season opener is against St Kilda Sharks and Kangaroo Flay on Sunday, May 8 at noon.