The Magpies will be in Bendigo this weekend for a practice match against Queensland Firebirds.

It will be new Magpies coach Rob Wright’s side’s third practice match hitout, following a pair of narrow losses to Sunshine Coast Lightning in Tasmania last month.

For the Magpie’ and Robinson, it will be their second visit to Bendigo in less than three weeks.

The star wing attack, together with new team-mate Geva Mentor, took charge of a training session at Bendigo Stadium for members of the AFL Central Victoria Academy under-14 squad earlier this month.

Robinson viewed that interaction with the academy players as ‘a snapshot’ of things to come following the partnership between the Magpies and the city of Bendigo.

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“It’s great getting out into regional Victoria and making sure the girls are getting access to the elite coaching and elite netballers, just like everyone in the city,” she said.

It’s a commitment that resonates strongly with the former Australian Diamonds Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallist, who is originally from Geelong and still classes herself as a country girl.

“When I was younger we rarely saw elite netballers come through Geelong – it wasn’t until I was 16 or 17 that I realised netball was something I could perhaps do on a more professional level,” she said.

“Even back then 14 years ago when I started out, the money just wasn’t there, so it wasn’t to be considered as a professional job.

“I think for young girls now it is awesome they can see us, they can come and be coached by us and say, ‘you know one day I am going to be  a professional netballer’.

“We still have jobs and occupations outside of sport, but for young girls in primary school or even secondary school, the day is coming when they will be professionals.

“We do have a few who are close to the (fully) professional side, but part and parcel of it is we do get to have another career, because sport can change so quickly.”​”

The Magpies were due to host another clinic at the Golden City Netball Association courts on Friday afternoon, before getting down to business against the Firebirds on Saturday.

The match will be an opportunity to work on new structures and combinations for the Magpies, who are still adjusting to life under their new coach, and will be missing cross-code AFLW star Ash Brazill, who is sidelined with concussion.

There will be no shortage of fresh faces on-court for Collingwood this season, with Mentor, former West Coast Fever goaler Natalie Medhurst, Diamonds star Kelsey Browne, Shimona Nelson and Gabby Sinclair joining holdovers Robinson, Brazill, Kim Ravaillion, April Brandley and Matilda Garrett.

It’s a combination Robinson insists can put the disappointment of missing last season’s finals series squarely behind them.

“We have not delivered on our own high expectations, nor have we delivered on the fans and supporters expectations who have backed us,” she said.

“We have a 50 per cent new team  - five players remaining and five new ones in – but those additions bring a wealth of experience,” she said.

“I think our recruits only add to our talent base, but we have to work hard at it.

"We haven’t played consistent netball and have struggled  to know how to win at times. We have been close at times but let it blow out.

“From day one under Rob it’s all been about the fundamental skills, working together and connecting and hopefully by the time we are on court in Bendigo we have hit the ground running and got those skills right on point.”

The Magpies play the Firebirds at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday at 1pm. Doors open at 11.30am.

For tickets visit Ticketek or click on this link: https://magpi.es/2DW60nz

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