Cobden centre Rebecca Dendle didn't want to play open division netball this season.
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New coach Mel Starr asked the division one player if she would like to step up to the top grade and she said "no".
Six months later, she is arguably the find of the competition and about to play in her first open grade grand final.
Cobden meets Koroit in the decider at Reid Oval on Saturday.
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"It blows my mind," Dendle said of being the Bombers' open grade centre.
"I can't believe it sometimes."
The 21-year-old, who played in the club's division one premiership last season, said she wouldn't be playing in the open team if it weren't for Starr.
Dendle, who was initially intimidated by the prospect, came around to the idea.
"She (Starr) said give it a few rounds and see how you go," Dendle said.
"I just stuck with it and thought it would be good to challenge myself.
"She (Starr) encouraged me to play and helped me to find my feet in the open side."
The midcourter made her open debut in round one and has played every game this season.
Little did Dendle know, she would eventually take on one of the most important positions on court - centre.
The Bomber, who played wing defence in division one, hadn't really played centre before.
But she has risen to the task.
"I've had to do things outside of netball training," she said.
Dendle's extra sessions include boxing training and gym work.
She said her team would need to be steady and consistent with its passing in the decider.
Dendle, who lives at Nullawarre, added it would be important her Bombers play their own game and remain positive with each other.
The midcourter joined Cobden last year after playing with Warrnambool and District league club Timboon Demons since 15 and under grade.
She was drawn to the club by friends, including current open division teammates Alicia Blain and Emily Finch.
Dendle, a former Timboon P-12 student, is a childcare worker in Warrnambool.
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