Cobden working to fulfill flag potential under coach Sophie Hinkley

The Bombers are keen to try new things across the board if it means building its mental strength under second-year coach Sophie Hinkley.

Hinkley's side - then coached by Mel Starr - came within eight goals of a Hampden league premiership in 2019 but fell to Koroit.

Hinkley, who took on the top job before the 2020 season was scrapped due to COVID-19, will coach her first match against North Warrnambool Eagles on April 10.

"We've probably had a bit of a change of perspective," she told The Standard.

"We have great depth in our open and division one teams and we've had a lot of success throughout the season but the only things that counts as true success is winning a grand final.

"That's been a bit elusive so we're coming back and looking at what we can do differently and tweak within the playing group."

Hinkley said blooding juniors and squad management were among the key considerations.

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"We're looking at if we might cut back our open squad, or look to have more fluidity between our division one and open side," she said.

"At the end of the day it probably comes back to our mindset as well, we want to make sure regardless of what grade they're playing that people are taking pride in playing for Cobden."

The Bombers will be without Bec Dendle and Alicia Blain, who have departed to Warrnambool and District league outfit Timboon Demons.

But Hinkley - who last featured for Geelong-based club Newtown and Chilwell - will play and Jess Wheadon is expected to be available for round one after a pregnancy.

Hinkley, a talented midcourter, said former coach Nadine McNamara could also return mid-season after suffering a ruptured Achilles while training juniors this past May.

"For sure (we're feeling confident). It's a little unknown looking at the teams across the board and it's harder to know who'll be up there," she said.

"We're also excited to come up against sides we haven't seen before and see different players. Juniors have had another year to develop and I think we have a different perspective.

"We play netball and sometimes look at it as rocket science with our strategising and thinking but at the end of the day I think the blessing of last year is being to appreciate how lucky we are to play a game we love.

"We'll get some confidence and belief out of that."

Cobden's clash against the Skye Billings-led North Warrnambool Eagles in round one will be at home.

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