Coach Pauline Butler does not shy away from the fact she ultimately want to win the title again.

“In what is shaping up to be very strong year from all clubs we would be aiming for a top 5 finish but would ultimately prefer to be in the top 3 for that second chance opportunity come finals time,” she said.

“We will be looking improve in all areas with a major focus on defence.”

The sides depth is often the envy of the league but three of last year’s A Grade players will not be on the court for the club again this season.

Georgia Duncan has moved to Geelong, Lucy Hartican is pregnant and Ally Hiscock is trying her luck at Laharum.

This does not faze Butler who expects everyone in her squad to be able to contribute regardless.

“To achieve our goals this year every player will be important to us and will need to play their role each and every week.” she said.

“This year we will be again looking at the stalwarts of the club in Mel Scott, Abbie Avery and Paige Lloyd to lead the girls every week.

“The experience these ladies bring to the table is amazing and their ability to step it up to another level and encourage team mates to do the same is truly amazing.”

Young players will continue to get opportunities in her side with the likes of Georgie Carberry, Tamika Mentha, and McKenzie Camilleri all expected to gain important experience.

The club will also welcome a host of players.

“We welcome back Sheridan Petering to the club and have also been lucky enough to have Brittany Nitschke join us from the Saints as well as Liv Jones from North Ballarat,” Butler said.

“Taige Weir has also come to the Demons this year from Navarre and will definitely play some games in the A Grade team.”

Like many other coaches in the lead up to a new season Butler expects the competition to be fierce across the board.

“It sounds like every team has recruited very strongly this year so it is shaping up to be a very exciting season I think with many contenders for those final five spots on the ladder,” she said.

“Given the season Minyip-Murtoa had last year I think they will definitely be the team to beat this year.”  

Overall Butler is just excited to get back into a new season.

What are your goals for the 2017 season? 

As with any team in the Wimmera our ultimate goal is to win the 2017 Premiership.

How will your style be changing this year? 

Every year brings with it a different line up for us and with not knowing much about each of the oppositions teams our game plan style has to be flexible in order for us to be able to adjust each week to take home the four points.

Flexibility is the key I think to great success, what combination we put on the court may work one week may not necessarily work the next so we need to be able to adjust to each opposing side.

Who do you expect will take a step up this season? 

As always we have development positions in our senior sides for Juniors to step up and get a taste for senior netball. T

his year is no exception with an abundance of talented girls in which we can call upon to step up into the senior grades.

Some of the girls that have impressed so far throughout selections and training are Georgie Carberry, Tamika Mentha, and McKenzie Camilleri to name a few. So we look forward to seeing many girls take the opportunity when it presents this year.

Who do you think will be the team to beat? 

I think after watching many of the pre-season videos aired on the Mail-Times facebook site, it sounds like every team has recruited very strongly this year so it is shaping up to be a very exciting season I think with many contenders for those final 5 spots on the ladder.

Given the season Minyip-Murtoa had last year I think they will definitely be the team to beat this year.   

What has you most excited about this season? 

Everything!!!!! Coaching both the A & B Grade this year as well as the 15/U A girls and watching both our senior and junior players grow and develop over the year.