New Port Fairy coach Rhiannon Cuomo said she is desperate to book a spot in the grand final after the side came within striking distance last year.
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The Seagulls finished the regular season fourth on the table in 2018, before losing to Cobden by 11 goals in the preliminary final.
But the return of star defender Sarah Moroney, 23, may well provide the missing piece of the puzzle for Cuomo, 35, as she, a defender herself, looks to make Port Fairy the stingiest side in the competition.
Moroney, a former Hampden league best and fairest winner and runner-up, spent last year travelling overseas and has committed to travelling from Melbourne each week to play for the Seagulls.
“The more turnovers we get, the more opportunities to score goals,” Cuomo said.
“So I think the defensive pressure has to work from goal keeper right through to goal shooter – it’s a team responsibility.”
Cuomo, who takes over the coaching reins from Sarah McCorkell, said she has benefited from already being exposed to Port Fairy’s players by serving as caretaker coach last year and playing junior netball at the club.
“So it’s easy in that regard – I'm not just a brand new face walking in from nowhere,” Cuomo said.
“The base of it is there and the girls have now had a few years playing together, so they've really built up some good relationships within the team.
“It will be more of a case of making some tweaks throughout the season, rather than a massive rebuild.
“And they're a great bunch of girls, so I’m really looking forward to getting the season started.”
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