WFNL 2021 Focus: Minyip-Murtoa to play their first game since they won the 2019 A Grade Wimmera FNL premiership.

This weekend, the side is set to play their first game since that famous victory and coach Jessie Newell says because of the break, there'll be no external pressure on the reigning premiers to perform.

"I think the whole fact of having 2020 as a break has really meant that there's that unexpected or unknown element of how teams or clubs are going to shape up for the year," Newell said. "So I really don't think that there's extra pressure other than what we put on ourselves, to perform as well as we did in 2019."

The side has lost some players, but has recruited well with Meg Cashin (Geelong), Maddie Morgan (returning home from Geelong), Em Langely (Harrow) and Taylor Forster (St Arnaud), all putting pen to paper. 2019 premiership players Georgia McLennan, Hayley Campbell, Ellie Barry and Molly Fagan are all returning. Despite the player turnover, Newell said she was positive and believed it would be "nice to have some fresh faces".

If preseason numbers are anything to go by, the Burras will be in for a big season.

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"We've probably had the best numbers that I think we've had in my few years being involved with the club, which has been fantastic," Newell said. "Everybody has just been keen to get out there and get a ball in hand and have a run-around and actually do things together face-to-face, rather than over a screen."

While other sides will be busy thinking up tactics to take down the reigning premiers, Newell just wants her side to play their normal game and have fun.

"I'm really keen for us to play a Burra style of netball and to not be sucked into playing a faster speed or changing our game plan to what other clubs are going to throw at us," she said.

"I really just want everyone to be out there enjoying themselves again, so its an enjoyment factor rather than a specific style I guess.

"Ultimately winning the premiership is the cherry on top of the cake, but really I guess our goal as a club are for people to be enjoying being back out on the court and hopefully that transitions into having success at the end of the year."

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