The Bombers rocketed from wooden spoon to fourth spot on the Hampden ladder, before going down in a close elimination final to a plucky North Warrnambool Eagles outfit.

Second-year coach Nadine McNamara says it will be an exciting year ahead for the Bombers as they look to build on their foundations.

“I don’t think we can rest and I think we need to push ourselves to be better again,” she said.

“This year will be a really close contest again. We just hope to build on what we started last year.”

The Bombers’ younger players took the challenge up to more seasoned opposition last year and will be better for a run through the top grade during the season.

McNamara said she was impressed to see her players embrace her challenge to “come back better and stronger” over the pre-season.

She said they should hit the ground running with their combinations ready to launch from round one.

They have lost just one player from last year’s top squad, with Alana Park moving away for university studies, but regain the likes of Rebecca Dendle, Amy Stringer and Anna Hinkley.

They have also picked up former Terang Mortlake netballer Julia Moloney – who is back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and last played for the Bloods in early 2015 – Alvie’s Morgan Drayton and Camperdown’s Sarsha Anderson.

The Bombers have again put in an intensive pre-season of training, with a six-week block before Christmas and a solid run in the new year.

“I’ve been really impressed with all the playing group,” McNamara said.

Arrivals

Rebecca Dendle (returning), Julie Moloney (Terang Mortlake), Morgan Drayton (CDFNL), Amy Stringer (injury), Anna Hinkley (CDFNL), Sarsha Anderson (Camperdown)

Departures

Alana Park (university)

2016 best and fairest

1st: Jessica Wheadon

2nd: Remeny McCann

3rd: Alana Park

Player to watch

REMENY MCCANN: The young Bombers defender made a triumphant return to Cobden last season after time away at Skipton, Terang Mortlake and Simpson. She finished runner-up in the Bombers' best and fairest count and was part of a formidable defensive combination in goals, alongside coach Nadine McNamara. She is still in her early 20s and is only just beginning to enter the prime of her career.

Prediction

Susie Giese says: To say the Bombers will be keen to build on last year's massive strides forward would be an understatement. Cobden rose from wooden spoon to finalist in the space of 12 months following some depth-building recruiting. They have largely been able to hold onto their playing group and have welcomed back a few familiar faces to the senior squad, as well as some handy recruits. Cobden was just pipped by North Warrnambool Eagles in a thrilling elimination final last season and with another year under their younger players' belts, it is poised to make another assault on the flag in 2017.