Moana, a former Ararat, Great Western and Moyston-Willaura defender, has landed at the club after moving to Warrnambool for work and has replaced outgoing coach Rachael McGrath.

She told The Standard the club was enjoying a strong pre-season on the back of practice matches with Heywood and Caramut.

“We’ve had a good start across the board. The A reserve side have been playing really well and are stepping up really well,” she said.

“The whole B grade team from last year have stepped up a whole grade to A reserve.

“In our A grade team, we’ll use our juniors to try to make our side a little bit stronger and to blood those younger players.”

Merinda Ugle-Hagan has stepped up from the Bombers’ A reserve side and is expected to play most games in A grade.

Moana said while McGrath and another former shooter in Tanaya Harradine had left the club, Hannah WIlliams and Emma Garlick would fill the void.

Arrivals

Hannah Williams, Emma Garlick

Departures

Rachael McGrath, Tanaya Harradine (Merrivale)\

Prediction

Nick Ansell says: It's really hard to gauge where the Bombers are at in 2017. They have a dedicated coach who is determined to win games the right way, but the loss of McGrath and Harradine will hurt. It's a challenge for the club's younger players to step up and to take the bull by the horns as they're given more court time. Moana believes the club's lower divisions are getting stronger which is a good indicator of depth, but the challenge is now with the A grade side to rid of the tag of cellar dwellers.