That’s how the Blues will tackle the opening fixtures as they strive to crack a Warrnambool and District netball grand final berth.

While the departures of Lisa and Jo Couch will hurt, Townsend acted swiftly to swoop on experienced defender Lisa Anders and former Old Collegians swingwoman Sophie Adams.

Townsend was confident her recruiting will fill the void.

“They’re covering what we probably lacked last year. Lisa (Anders) brings experience and height, which is what we needed,” she said.

Townsend said finals were the ultimate aim for the club in 2017. She said numbers had been strong as the club ramped up pre-season training.

Arrivals

Lisa Anders (year off), Sophie Adams (Old Collegians)

Departures

Lisa Couch, Joanna Couch (university), Natasha Folkes (Merrivale)

Prediction

Nick Ansell says: Steph Townsend has the side welldrilled and it is fighting hard to crack into a grand final. It was impressive in making last year's preliminary final and is expected to contend again this season. The loss of the Couch girls will hurt, but Townsend's recruiting is looking strong at this stage of the season.

“Coming off the back of a preliminary final last year, they’re definitely in the back of my mind,” she said.

“In the long-term that is the aim for the girls but for the first four or five games we’ll keep it simple. 

“We’ll see how well we fit together and where we’re at before we look to far into that.”