On Sunday, the Cats’ A-grade women ramp up for game one at the Shepparton Regional Hockey Complex, taking on fellow country outfit Bendigo-based North West Lightning.
Hannah Vibert’s side last featured in the 2023 VL2 grand final, where it came within a hair’s breadth of a premiership following a gritty 2-1 defeat to La Trobe Univesity.
Mooroopna has had ample time to sharpen its weapons ahead of round one, leaving Vibert confident her contingent is in tip-top shape for the season opener.
“We’ve really enjoyed having an extra few weeks to prepare this year,” she said.
“Last year we didn’t really know when we were going to start playing, so it’s been good to know when the season is going to start.
“We’ve been able to do a little more in pre-season and get some more fitness into the legs.
“We’ve also picked up a few new recruits too which has been really nice.
“We’ve got a few new players and a few returning players that’ll only strengthen our side.”
New blood in the form of New Zealand talent Olivia Hall joins from across the ditch, while a nucleus of ex-Mooroopna players will don blue once more.
Kim Broadhurst, the club’s 2018 A-grade best-and-fairest winner, has rejoined alongside partner-in-crime Kim Starkey, while ex-SYC star Emily Schreck slots into the side.
The added numbers will come in handy against Sunday’s opponent Lightning, an outfit that plied its trade in the tier above last season.
“They’ve come down from Vic League One, so it’s the first time we play them,” Vibert said.
“They’re based out of Bendigo, so it’ll be nice to be playing some teams a little bit closer to home.
“We’ve got lots of connections with Lightning, so I’m sure it’ll be a really fun, friendly and competitive game as a whole.”
Vibert acknowledged Hockey Victoria’s restructure would push Mooroopna to its limits as more cut-throat competition beckons this campaign.
After sampling finals action in 2023, however, she has faith that her charges will be right around the mark at September's pointy end.
“We’re facing a lot more teams from Vic League One this year, so we know that the opposition is going to be a bit tougher,” she said.
“But we also know that we’ve had a really good pre-season and we’ve got some more people in.
“We’re really hopeful that we’ll be able to crack finals again and we hope to go one better than last year.”
Lastly, Vibert issued an invitation for anyone interested to head down and catch the action on Sunday.
“It’d be great to see people down if they want to have a look and see what it’s all about.”
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