South Warrnambool welcomes Annie Blackburn, Ruby Wilson and Ally O'Connor to open grade fold

Annie Blackburn has returned from a two-year stint overseas to boost the Roosters' shooting stocks, while Ruby Wilson and Ally O'Connor are also back in the fold.

South Warrnambool coach Leesa Battistello was delighted to sign Blackburn, a former North Warrnambool Eagle, and welcome Wilson and O'Connor back to open grade netball.

Wilson spent a season coaching juniors at Dennington, while O'Connor was sidelined battling reactive arthritis.

"Annie is regarded as one of the best players in the Hampden league, I'm pinching myself that we have her," Battistello said.

"Ally is one of the most loyal people you will ever meet. The only season she hasn't been at South was when she was pursuing a spot with (Victorian) Fury.

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"And with Ruby, she's the reason I came to South because she raved about it when we were at Ballarat together. I couldn't imagine coaching a side without her in it."

Battistello, a premiership coach at Dunnstown, said the trio would help create a strong culture.

"I'm absolutely thrilled. They will help us build a culture of success on and off the court," Battistello said.

"When we announced we had signed the three people in the club kind of say 'wow' and it builds excitement from the top down.

"It's always good to know who you have on board (early) so you can take extra time to build relationships.

"We're starting pre-season in November so I'm ecstatic the open girls will have the chance to get around each other and develop those links and chemistry."

Battistello said the trio's personalities were as beneficial as their on-court prowess.

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