The 2015 Hampden 15 and under best-and-fairest is now into her second season of playing in the top grade and is getting ready for her first senior finals appearance as Cobden faces North Warrnambool Eagles in Sunday’s open grade elimination final.

Hutt said a vibrant atmosphere around the club had been key to the Bombers’ improvement after last year’s bottom-of-the-ladder finish.

“It’s better this year – we’ve got not so much a better group of girls, but we’re clicking well,” she said.

“The atmosphere around the club, with new faces and new coaches, has been really good.”

Hutt shared scoring duties with Tegan McNamara and Natalie Tongs earlier in the season, but is now teaming well with Jess Wheadon and said she was enjoying the chance to learn from her.

“She’s a good leader and when I get down, she picks me back up,” Hutt said.

First-year Bombers coach Nadine McNamara said the pair had hit their straps the past two weeks against North Warrnambool Eagles and Warrnambool, and praised Hutt’s work across the season.

“She’s a very, very talented junior player,” McNamara said.

“She’s committed to the team and … she’s worked really well (with Wheadon).”

Hutt has lightened her junior load this season, taking to the court 12 times with the Bombers’ 17 and under team and often playing just half a game.