SATURDAY cannot come soon enough for a pair of BFNL netball coaches, who have switched clubs in 2018.

A week after six clubs hit the court for the first time this season, South Bendigo and Maryborough get the chance to get their respective campaigns underway.

Both will be led by new coaches, with former dual Kangaroo Flat premiership coach Jannelle Hobbs to lead the Bloods into battle against reigning premiers Sandhurst, and Deb Symes taking over the reins from Anika Munn at Maryborough after a one-year stint at Castlemaine in 2017.

It’s been a long journey to game one for a fresh-looking Bloods, who started pre-season training not long after Hobbs’ appointment last October.

“Without a game last week, the girls are dying to get out there and have a crack,” Hobbs said.

“Sandhurst is obviously the yardstick and the team to beat again, but we will dig in and give it our best shot.

It’s going to be tough, but we will give it everything we’ve got.

“We had a couple of our A-grade girls up there (at the QEO) looking at Sandhurst last week – they were missing a couple of good players, but still won easily.”

New faces for the Bloods include Kangaroo Flat 2017 premiership goal attack Jamie-Lee Clohesy, who has followed Hobbs to South Bendigo, Paige Randall (Lockington-Bamawm United), Tegan Childs, Bree Maddern (Mitiamo) and Bendigo Lady Braves basketballer Maddi Wild, who will give the Bloods added height and strength in attack.

Chloe Adams, Emily Cossar, Steph Goode and Molly Johnston return from last year’s line-up which finished seventh.

Meanwhile, a first-up assignment against Golden Square awaits Symes and a Maryborough line-up sprinkled with emerging talent from last season’s 17-and-under team, which finished runners-up to Sandhurst.

Youngsters set to be given a chance to impress include Ella Tranter, Keely Hare, Bella Westbrook and Tori Chandler.

They will combine with top Magpies Jordan Macilwain and Alicia Cassidy, Chloe Egan and Ballarat Lakers recruit Courtney McLean.

Symes felt her side had slowly developed momentum through the pre-season and was confident of being competitive against all-comers.

“We were looking a bit down on numbers a few weeks ago, but we’ve picked that up now,” she said.

“We’re a couple of defenders down on last year, but Chloe Egan will jump into the circle this season.

“It will be good having some youth around our experienced players, that’s the direction the league seems to be going, younger.”

Symes said she was happy with her team’s performance at a recent pre-season tournament at Ballarat, run by the Lake Wendouree club.

Golden Square will be looking to rebound from a heavy round one loss Sandhurst.

In the remaining game, Strathfieldsaye, which opened the season with a loss against Eaglehawk, hosts Gisborne, which defeated Kangaroo Flat.

The Roos and Hawks have byes.