WHEN Chantal Moore first agreed to coach Mount Pleasant's A-grade netball team, she didn't expect to have to wait more than 16 months for her first match for premiership points.
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But the moment she has craved so long for finally arrives this Saturday when she takes charge of the Blues against a red-hot Elmore as non-playing coach.
It could be a baptism of fire, with the Bloods signalling their intentions of being a premiership contender early with wins over both of last season's grand finalists White Hills and Colbinabbin in their first two matches.
However, the Blues have more than shown their ability to mix it with the best over the past three seasons with back-to-back-to-back finals appearances under former coach Belinda Pinner and a pair of top-three finishes.
"After all that happened that last year (with COVID), this season couldn't have come around quick enough," Moore said.
"I'm really looking forward to it.
"Obviously it's a big challenge first-up against Elmore with their big shooter Gabe Richards very hard to stop, but I'm very confident in our players.
"I used to play with Gabe at Golden Square, so I 'm very familiar with what she is capable of, not that it makes things too much easier, but at least I know what to expect."
With a few impressive recruits of their own onboard in the form of goal shooter Maddi Wild, who last played with South Bendigo in 2018, and midcourter Ash Ryan, from Edenhope-Apsley, the return of defender Charlotte Webb and the elevation of 17-and-under premiership star Ivy Harrop bolstering an already strong side, Moore felt the Blues were entitled to be aiming high.
"I'm definitely expecting we'll play finals," she said.
"Maddi's nice and tall and has fitted in really well. She'll join Paris Bickley and Megan Baird, who have been at Mounts a long time.
"It will be good to have a rotation of three goalers.
"I'm really happy with all three areas of the court and I'm confident that all four of our senior teams will be strong this year."
Moore, who is pregnant with her and husband Cam's second child, was appointed to coach alongside Carly Dorrington in 2020, but will take the reins on her own this season.
"I'm really enjoying it, it's a great way to stay involved when you are not playing," she said.
"It has taken me a while to not think about netball every single day and get some balance, but I'm loving it.
"I still talk to Belinda Pinner, who is great friends, about coaching stuff and I have some wiser heads like Ash Griffin who is going to sit on the bench with me and Ash Cole."
In other games, Huntly will look to rebound from a narrow opening round loss to North Bendigo against Heathcote, Lockington Bamawm United hosts Colbinabbin, while Leitchville-Gunbower is at home against North Bendigo.
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