However, 2025 is a new season that comes with it, a fresh chance to a vindication for the Bombers.
As one of the main contenders for the flag this time around, along with the aforementioned Demons and North Bendigo, Leitchville-Gunbower stands in good stead for repeat success amid a tightening competition.
The Bombers have enlisted the help of some recruits to bolster its ranks along with a strong, well established core.
This includes the return of home-grown products such as Darcy Elliott, Fletcher Ball and Luke Pollock as well as new faces, Sam Keogh, Luke Pollock and Ben Patterson.
Leitchville-Gunbower coach Shannon Keam highlighted the team's continued growth throughout preseason and the side’s excitement to get started with the season.
“We are glad preseason is done, and we can get into the real stuff now, we had a few practice matches and ticked along nicely,” he said.
“We haven’t had a full deck on the field at the same time, but we did try and throw some guys in different spots to see how they could play in different areas if we need it.
“In general, the practice matches went well, and I’m happy with how the boys are ticking along.
“We want to be competitive and keep ourselves in the game.
‘’Obviously, we will try and win as many games as possibly can, we think it’s going to be a really competitive competition this season, so every game is a really important chance to win.
“We’ve definitely improved over the last month or so, we were pretty ordinary before that, so we have definitely come along, and hopefully the continuity continues to build at training and as the season moves along.”
Ahead of its 2024 grand final rematch against White Hills, Keam said he and his side were not focusing so much on unravelling the Demons’ class outfit, more on reinforcing its own game plan.
“We aren’t looking to target anything particular against White Hills, we are more worrying about ourselves and our systems at this stage of the year,” he said.
“We are wanting to emphasise our own points of contest and the way want to go about the game.
“Obviously, we do want to play finals and make it back to the grand final, but right now, it is about getting our processes right instead of looking too far ahead.”
Leitchville-Gunbower starts the season in a slightly unusual way, travelling to White Hills Recreation Reserve on Saturday, April 12 for a night game, with first bounce set for 5.30pm.
