Last year: 9th - 1-15

Arrivals: Jake Cowman, Kaleb Kennedy, Connor Logan, Chris McKay, Brae Mensforth, Kane Newton, Hayden Polglase, Lachlan Sidebottom.

Departures: Bailey Evans, Shane Harris, Tate Mifka.

Player points: 47

Last flag: 1986

First month:

R1: v Marong (h)

R2: v BL-Serpentine (a)

R3: v Bridgewater (h)

R4: v Newbridge (a)

Past five years:

2018: 9th - 1-15

2017: 9th - 1-15

2016: 7th - 5-11

2015: 9th - 1-15

2014: 9th - 1-15

Last season's MVP top 5:

Bailey Evans - 57

Peter McKay - 37

Sani Egan - 32

Shane Harris - 29

Ryan McNish - 22

Last season's top 5 goalkickers:

Sam Barnes - 23

Daniel Lloyd - 19

Shane Harris - 12

Ryan McNish - 10

Peter McKay - 9

Q and A with coach Ryan McNish

What gives you the confidence that this will be the season in which Inglewood can start to produce some improved results?

"The biggest thing for us is getting the mix right between the younger and older guys to create a good blend.

"Getting Hayden Polglase on board as an assistant coach, Jake Cowman, Chris McKay as well as Lachlan Sidebottom and Brandon Worner coming back, that group of five guys provides us with some strong experience.

"Last year we had the likes of Bailey Evans, Shane Harris and Sani Egan carrying a lot of the load, which takes its toll week after week, but this year we've not only retained 90 per cent of our list, but brought in six quality senior players, which will make a difference."

Given only once in the past eight years has the club won more than one game, what do you consider a realistic expectation for your side this season?

"I think if we can aim for five or six wins then that would be an outstanding result.

"Once the team gels, the hunger of wanting to win is going to keep coming. We've got Marong, Serp and Bridgewater in the first three rounds and there's some potential there for us early.

"Five to six wins is going to be the benchmark and would be huge with where the club has been."

Hayden Polglase is a player who has been part of five premiership teams at Wedderburn. How do you hope his experience of being involved at such a successful club can impact your playing group?

"His communication and problem solving within the group, as well as directing traffic on game day, is going to be really important.

"But as well as playing in a lot of successful sides, he has also played in sides that have been down the bottom in his career, so he has had a taste of both and knows what it takes, as well as what it takes in big moments."

Summary

Will this be the year that the Blues can start to make some genuine inroads as a competitive team in the Loddon Valley?

The Blues have claimed seven of the past eight wooden spoons, but there's an air of genuine optimism from coach Ryan McNish that an improved year lays ahead for his side.

There are plenty of new recruits at the Blues, which should help to build more depth, but the club has lost its top two from last year's best and fairest in young gun Bailey Evans and Shane Harris.

Among the additions to the Blues is the return of ruckman Lachlan Sidebottom, who left Inglewood mid-season last year and went on to play in Tallygraoopna's Kyabram District league premiership.

Five-time Wedderburn premiership player Hayden Polglase has joined the Blues as an assistant coach, while key position player Chris McKay, coming off an ankle injury, has played senior football in the Goulburn Valley league with the Shepparton Swans.

Reigning Campbells Creek best and fairest Brae Mensforth, who is earmarked for a role off half-back, ruck/forward Jake Cowman and the pacy Kane Newton are other arrivals at Inglewood.

But one of the biggest boosts the side will receive is the return to the field of Brandon Worner, who was carving it up through the midfield during 2017 season before suffering a mid-season knee injury and he hasn't played since.

On paper the Blues look to have the makings of a more competitive team. The challenge now is to translate that into improved results.

Practice matches - v Nullawil (March 23 at Inglewood).

Related: Catch up on all the LVFNL club previews

Related: Special offer for footy and netball fans

Coach: Mandy Burrill-Grinton (first year)

Last year: First year back in A-grade since 2017

Arrivals: Megan Johnstone (Mildura); Abby Wicks (Marong), Abbie Ellis (Shepparton), Lisa Ansaldi, Simone Hope, Olivia Nihill plus eight others.

Coaching panel: Mandy Burrill-Grinton (A-grade and B-grade); Brooke Engi and Kaitlyn Willams (C-grade); Chloe Dewhurst (C-reserve).

Last five years: No A-grade team (2018); ninth (2017); ninth (2016); eighth (2015); ninth (2014).

Q and A with coach Mandy Burrill-Grinton

It appears you have encountered a few stumbling blocks in your return to A-grade?

"We had a defender break her ankle (in the first practice match) and our shooter do her ACL. I was devastated and shattered for them. That's left us with the task of rebuilding our team in the next few weeks. Trying to find a new goalie at this time of the year is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But we are staying positive. We have picked up a few new players and I know there are few who have returned to the club; we're happy with that. Our numbers have been good and our training has been solid. No one can fault the girls' commitment."

What are hoping to see in terms of development through the season?

"We are really focused on decreasing the deficits in our results. The morale at Inglewood is very up-beat and positive. For us it's not about being the premiership team, but the girls working on their goals and improving. There is a hell of a lot of talent at Inglewood and I am seeing plenty of growth during the pre-season.

Inglewood has been strong in the junior ranks in recent times, including making the 17-and-under and 15-and-under grand finals last season. Can we expect to see any talent from those sides stepping up to senior ranks soon?

"Two (17-and-unders) have stepped, but the rest are still young enough to be in juniors. They won't be A-grade this year, but with another 12 months experience, coaching and guidance they'll definitely be contenders. I will be keen to watch their development this year."

SUMMARY

New Inglewood coach Mandy Burrill-Grinton says the Blues are prepared for a slow build to success after ending a one-year hiatus from the A-grade competition.

The Blues' return has been dealt an early blow, with the loss of two players to season-ending injuries, one a goal shooter, the other a key defender.

But Burrill-Grinton, who helped lead Mount Pleasant to back-to-back Heathcote District league flags in 2010-11 and previously played at state and international level, insists the playing group has remained positive and has only been galvanised by the loss of their team-mates.

"Our numbers have been good and our training has been solid. No one can fault the girls' commitment," she said.

Burrill-Grinton has identified gradual improvement and reducing the results margin against individual clubs as key focuses for the season.

If last season's ladder standings are any guide, the Blues will get their chance to breakthrough for an early win, with their first two games scheduled against last season's seventh and eighth-placed teams (Marong and Serpentine) before a clash against reigning premiers Bridgewater.

Another shining light for the Blues on the netball court in recent seasons, the club is hopeful of continued success at junior level after a year in which their 17-and-under and 15-and-under teams reached grand finals.

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