AS defending premiers of the AFL Central West women's competition, Bathurst Giants coach Liz Kennedy freely admits season 2020 will be a case of "everyone is coming for us."
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She knows the returning Dubbo Demons will be eager to make their presence felt, she knows the Cowra Blues will be keen to continue their development, that the Orange Tigers are hungry for their first premiership flag and that the Lady Bushrangers will once more shape as a huge title threat.
But Kennedy also knows she has plenty of talent within her own squad and that they will give everything to help the Giants build on their past success.
Their first task will be against the Lady Bushrangers - the team they met in last year's decider and the team who came closest to beating them in 2019 when splitting the honours in a 15-all draw.
"Even though we're the premiers, it's always a hard game with the Bushrangers," Kennedy said.
"We know they've gone out and recruited and they've got some strong players this year, so you know, they're going to be tough to beat.
"We surprised everybody in our first year, in our second year we did extremely well, you couldn't have asked for a better season, so now everyone is coming for us and you still worry about the Bushrangers."
Saturday's match is the first of two regular season Bathurst derbies scheduled in the nine-round draw. If the Giants can win it will mark 14 games in a row without loss.
While it is a streak the Giants are undoubtedly keen to build on, Kennedy is simply excited for her side to finally get the chance to play after COVID-19 delayed the season start.
With the experienced Mick Sloan working with the squad - all of who are partaking in specialist back line, midfield and forward line drills - in the build up, the Giants' have plenty of versatility. It is something Kennedy is delighted she can draw on.
"Mick, he's just got those girls ticking along so nicely," she said.
As for the squad itself, Kennedy says it will be built around the junior talents at the club, a prospect she finds "really, really exciting".
"We've got Saige Davies who is one of those graduating youth girls players and we've got a couple training with us who can play both [opens and youth]," the coach said.
"Zoe Peters, I know she played last year, but she's a little pocket-rocket that girl and I'm really excited to see her step up into seniors. Bridget Warne who's been with us for awhile in the juniors and Taylah Wade are with us too."
Complimenting those young talents will be members of last year's premiership winning squad.
"I'm excited to see how Hailee [Provest] goes this season. She's been doing 10 kay runs is looking fit and is another little pocket rocket. I think I'll put her in the forward line, she can be that small forward, she's got the ability to kick those fluky goals," Kennedy said.
"We have also Chelsea Gibbs back this season. She played one game for us last season and I was so excited after that one game, but I think it was on the Thursday night after that she went and played basketball and tore her Achilles.
"She has been out of sport for 12 months, but she's been training the house down and she'll be in the back line."
Opening bounce will be a 1pm at George Park 2.
