Ryan was a part of the Blues’ heartbreaking preliminary final loss in 2016 and is determined to help her club on to a grand final berth.

The East Warrnambool premiership player said she was relishing the chance to play under second-year mentor Steph Townsend and that the club was pushing for another premiership tilt.

“Last year was a good starting point,” she told The Standard.

“Steph is one of the most competitive people I know and I don’t know anybody more determined.

“I’ve played in a couple of grand finals but I’ve only won one of them. It was with East in 2009, but it’s been a long time. It’s been a long time between drinks.”

Ryan said while Lisa and Joanna Couch had departed the club for university commitments, the additions of Sophie Adams and Lisa Anders were proving effective.

“We had a practice match (last Thursday) and it was so nice to see everybody gelling on court,” she said.

“We haven’t had a lot of court time yet but it’s looking really good.”