Sarah Senini to make long-awaited netball debut for Yarrawonga

But as luck would have it, the season off came at a good time, with the star Ovens and Murray goal shooter and her partner Mitch welcoming son Billy into the world four months ago.

"When I found out I was pregnant, I thought how am I going to tell Yarrawonga that I'm having a baby when I've only just crossed over?" Senini said.

"As it turned out, everyone was having the season off."

The former Lavington star has now settled into her new home and will finally make her debut as a Pigeon this weekend when the club takes on Albury in the Ovens and Murray's season opener.

"The anticipation has just been building up again," she said.

"I get nervous every time I step onto the court, but mainly from my own expectations more than anything.

"I want to perform well and prove to myself that I can do it, particularly coming back from having a baby.

"Changing clubs was always going to be hard, but coming back as the same player I was before having a baby takes a different mindset.

"I just need to get used to playing with the girls after spending so much time playing against them."

Yarrawonga has also welcomed the return of club stalwart Bridget Cassar this season, setting the stage for two of the league's most well-respected goal shooters to team up.

"She (Cassar) has been amazing, not only from a club point of view, but as a friend," Senini said.

"She's taken me under her wing and has been a great support to me."

Yarrawonga's 2019 club best and fairest winner Elle Brooks has departed the Pigeons for the Goulburn Valley League, while premiership players Laura Irvine and Hannah Symes have taken the coaching reins from Tracy Gillies.

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Senini admitted the competition is set to be interesting this year, with so much time passing between the last season.

Her 2019 campaign was also cut short, seeing her sit out finals with the Panthers after suffering a knee injury.

"As a player, 12 months off is a long time," she said.

While Senini looks back on the memories she made at Lavington fondly, she's now ready to make some more as a Pigeon.

"It's nice and refreshing playing with the Yarra girls," she said.

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