AS MITIAMO prepares to launch its LVFNL premiership defence, coach Glenda Thomas says the Superoos will continue to tinker with their line-up and game plan.
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The Superoos will start the season minus two of the stars of their 2019 premiership team in defenders Kiani Strewart and Bri Maddern.
Youngster Stewart has returned to the Wimmera, while Maddern has retired following a stellar playing career.
Their absence has left a hole in defence, a situation which has been accentuated by the Superoos also losing a pair of defenders from their 2019 premiership-winning B-grade line-up.
Thomas, who has replaced premiership-winning coach Kylie Piercy at the helm, said she would use the first few weeks of the season tinkering with her line-up, starting ths Saturday against Inglewood.
One - and the most likely - adjustment will be a return to the defensive end of the court for star Superoo Lucy Morcom, who finished runner-up in the league's best and fairest count in 2019 while playing at goal shooter.
"We'll need to rearrange and put some goalers back in defence, but the beauty of our side is its versatility," Thomas said.
"I'm not keen on breaking up the combination of Lucy and Laura (Hicks), but it's on the cards.
"We'll experiment a bit the first few weeks and it will take us a few weeks to get it down pat. You sort of go over these things at training, but it's not the same as match-play.
"We do have a couple of other girls who can go into defence, but we lack a bit of height. Lucy's certainly got that.
"She'll likely work in with Jess (Pay), who's up from B-grade, and has been paying really well."
A formidable Superoos line-up still boasts plenty of quality and skill in the midcourt and attack, led by three-time league best and fairest Hicks, Amelia and Sarah Ludeman, and Gabrielle Marlow.
Thomas said without seeing too much of their opposition, she expected her side would again be a finals contender.
"Returning most players, we'll still be very strong - it's just the defence end that has to be worked out," she said.
In other games, Newbridge will look to bounce back from an opening round defeat against first round winners Pyramid Hill, and Calivil United hopes to open it account at home against Maiden Gully YCW, with the Eagles attempting to move to 2-0.
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