The Magpies welcomed 2013 North Warrnambool Eagles grand final-winning mentor Sharon Kenna to the nest over the off-season as they strive to break a seven-game losing streak on the biggest stage.

Second-year coach Peter Finch believes Kenna will have major impact at Leura Oval.

“She’s going to have a bit more netball prowess than I’ll ever have, so she’s going to be a great pick up for the club,” he said.

“She is overseeing all the coaching and has taken a lot of the drills over the summer.

“(It’s been about) quick use of the ball instead of holding on to the ball.”

Finch said the Magpies, who are still searching for their elusive open grade flag after falling to Port Fairy last year, had worked hard in the off-season to go one step better.

“It is going to take defensive pressure,” he said.

“Netball is one of those games where it’s pretty hard to get the ball off the opposition but you have to make it tougher for sides to transition the ball down the court.”

Finch said his daughters Jaymie and Emily would again hold down attacking roles but is hopeful the Magpies can find extra avenues to goals in 2017.

Chelsea Baker – the daughter of long-time A grade midcourter Tracey – could see more court time to help the Finch siblings out.

“We are probably right for defenders but if we could let Jaymie out or Emily (Finch) out a little bit, because they’d love to be down the court a bit rather than just shut up one end,” he said.

Tracey Baker, who has more than 400 senior games to her credit, will lead an experienced core on court.

Arrivals

Brooke Richardson (maternity leave)

Departures

Gabby Beaver (Terang Mortlake), Chelsea Castles (year off), Grace Lucas (university)

2016 best and fairest

1st: Chelsea Castles

2nd: Tracey Baker

3rd: Jaymie Finch

Player to watch

TRACEY BAKER: She's the veteran midcourter who just keeps keeping on. The former league best and fairest winner, who has more than 400 seniors games' experience, didn't miss a beat in the pre-season and is ready to vie for a maiden flag. Endured some lower leg problems in 2016 but now injury-free, Baker will cause opposition centres headaches again. Expect to see her teenage daughter Chelsea get more of a run in goals too.

Prediction

Justine McCullagh-Beasy says: Four grand final losses in seven seasons is a bitter pill to swallow but Camperdown will again push for premiership honours in 2017. Peter Finch has kept his core group together and has added Sharon Kenna in an off-court role to help with coaching duties. The Finch sisters in goals - the most dangerous attacking combination in the league - will be better again and the return of Brooke Richardson will help add depth too. Expect the Pies to be there at the business end again.