LEITCHVILLE-Gunbower may have exited the HDFNL A-grade netball finals race, but still has plenty to be proud about, according to Bombers coach Jodie Lake.
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A 10-goal loss to North Bendigo last Sunday confined the Bombers to a fourth-place finish during a season of impressive on and off-court gains.
This season was the Bombers' first competing in back-to-back finals series.
Not wanting to take anything away from a strong North Bendigo performance, Lake believed their finals experience may have proven a factor for the Bombers.
"We missed a lot of shots, but recently our shooters had been on-song, so that wasn't expected," she said.
"That's finals and pressure situations.
"It's not something we're used to, it’s the second year we've played finals in row - we're kind of lacking in that department at the moment.
"(But) it will come if we keep building.
"We have a three-or-four year plan and hopefully making finals becomes a bit more familiar for us."
The Bombers were able to notch some impressive wins during the season, including back-to-back triumphs over their semi-final nemesis North Bendigo and reigning premiers Colbinabbin in rounds 10-11.
A crushing 84-17 elimination final victory against Huntly was an obvious high-point, as were consistent strong performances from recruits Ange Slattery and Bianca Jones, centre and reigning league medallist Lauren Dehne and Jordy Holman.
Lake sees the development of more of the club's promising juniors as a priority for the Bombers.
"I believe we have a really bright future, we have some really good juniors coming through," she said.
"There's nothing to be too disappointed about (with the loss).
"Getting to a semi-final, finishing top four - playing finals is what you aim for. Two years in a row as a coach is pretty pleasing."
Meanwhile, Lake believed North Bendigo was capable of arresting a losing streak against Colbinabbin in this Saturday's preliminary final at Elmore if it brought the same intensity as it did last weekend against the Bombers.
"They are every chance. Colbo are a quality side, but the way North played (on Sunday), they are a big chance," she said.
"It's going to be a really good match."
The Bulldogs have lost all three games played against the Grasshoppers this season, including a 17 point margin in a qualifying final encounter at Toolleen.
Their run of outs against Colbinabbin extends to a 21 grand final loss last season at Huntly.
