IT'S been a couple of years since Leitchville Gunbower last qualified for HDFNL A-grade netball finals. But if new coach Ashley Bradley has her way that will change this season. There is plenty of expectation surrounding the Bombers heading into 2020 having made substantial changes to its playing list following an extensive recruiting campaign. Bradley, who is making a welcome return to the HDFNL and will line-up in defence for the Bombers, is relishing getting back to her roots. "I haven't played in the Heathcote league for at least five years, but I'm loving the energy at the club," she said. "Everybody is so passionate and has been very welcoming. It's made it easy for me to transition from playing to coaching." Bradley, who previously played with Lockington-Bamawm United, arrives at Leitchville-Gunbower after spending five seasons in the Victorian Netball League and last season lining up with Shepparton Bears in the Goulburn Valley league. The 26-year-old's experience will prove invaluable to a Bombers A-grade side set to feature plenty of new and predominantly young players, and some other more familiar faces who are returning after time away from the court in 2019. "There's a lot of new girls who have come in and a lot of emerging talent that should perform well this year," said Bradley, who played VNL championship division with Casey Demons, Ballarat Sovereigns and Monash Storm and division one with Boroondara Express. "I think Gretel Hodge (who played 17-and-under last season) is going to have a good year. "Cassie Broad should do well, and Shane Haw, who will play A-reserve, really impressed me at our grading night." Other inclusions include former Leitchville-Gunbower product Emily Prout, who returns after a stint with Pyramid Hill, including as A-grade coach in 2019, Jamison Lowe, Georgia McKellar, former Macorna A-grade coach Laura Bennie and Zazney Ellwood. The Bombers have also regained their 2015 league medal winner Laura Dehne, Gemma Angove and Tahli Brereton after time-off last season. "I would like to think we'd make it to finals and I'd be stoked if we made a grand final - I think that's everyone's goal," Bradley said. "I'd love to see us in the top five. I'm not sure but I think people might underrate us a bit. "But I am genuinely excited, I am really keen for the season to start." The Bombers will get a quick an immediate gauge of their strength and improvement with a pair of matches against last season's premiers White Hills and runners-up Colbinabbin scheduled in rounds one and two. Leitchville-Gunbower finished the 2019 season in seventh position with a 4-11 record. Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
PUMPED: Ashley Bradley is Leitchville-Gunbower's new playing coach. Picture courtesy of RIVERINE HERALD
IT'S been a couple of years since Leitchville Gunbower last qualified for HDFNL A-grade netball finals.
But if new coach Ashley Bradley has her way that will change this season.
There is plenty of expectation surrounding the Bombers heading into 2020 having made substantial changes to its playing list following an extensive recruiting campaign.
Bradley, who is making a welcome return to the HDFNL and will line-up in defence for the Bombers, is relishing getting back to her roots.
"I haven't played in the Heathcote league for at least five years, but I'm loving the energy at the club," she said.
"Everybody is so passionate and has been very welcoming. It's made it easy for me to transition from playing to coaching."
Bradley, who previously played with Lockington-Bamawm United, arrives at Leitchville-Gunbower after spending five seasons in the Victorian Netball League and last season lining up with Shepparton Bears in the Goulburn Valley league.
The 26-year-old's experience will prove invaluable to a Bombers A-grade side set to feature plenty of new and predominantly young players, and some other more familiar faces who are returning after time away from the court in 2019.
"There's a lot of new girls who have come in and a lot of emerging talent that should perform well this year," said Bradley, who played VNL championship division with Casey Demons, Ballarat Sovereigns and Monash Storm and division one with Boroondara Express.
"I think Gretel Hodge (who played 17-and-under last season) is going to have a good year.
"Cassie Broad should do well, and Shane Haw, who will play A-reserve, really impressed me at our grading night."
Other inclusions include former Leitchville-Gunbower product Emily Prout, who returns after a stint with Pyramid Hill, including as A-grade coach in 2019, Jamison Lowe, Georgia McKellar, former Macorna A-grade coach Laura Bennie and Zazney Ellwood.
The Bombers have also regained their 2015 league medal winner Laura Dehne, Gemma Angove and Tahli Brereton after time-off last season.
"I would like to think we'd make it to finals and I'd be stoked if we made a grand final - I think that's everyone's goal," Bradley said.
"I'd love to see us in the top five. I'm not sure but I think people might underrate us a bit.
"But I am genuinely excited, I am really keen for the season to start."
The Bombers will get a quick an immediate gauge of their strength and improvement with a pair of matches against last season's premiers White Hills and runners-up Colbinabbin scheduled in rounds one and two.
Leitchville-Gunbower finished the 2019 season in seventh position with a 4-11 record.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
