Following Orange City Craig Harvey Mechanical's shock round one loss to Life Studio last weekend that's the simple message Orange Physiotherapy Vipers coach Lynne Middleton has drummed into her troops in the lead-up to Saturday's rematch of last year's astonishing Toyota Cup grand final.

The Lions' 49-34 defeat was the first time the defending premiers had dropped the opening game of a season since 2008, when their run of 11 straight titles began, and Middleton said there's little doubt they'll be hell-bent on making amends this weekend.

"It'll be a very, very hard-fought game I think, we're definitely expecting to face some wounded Lions," Middleton said, with her side coming off a strong, 15-goal win over Hawks Royals.

"They were missing some very important players last weekend like their play-maker (centre-court superstar Tegan Dray), so they'll be very tough, it'll be a good challenge."

That 2018 top flight grand final was one of the most incredible in the Orange Netball Association's West Orange Motors Senior Competitions' recent history, with Vipers fighting back from an 11-goal deficit midway through the third quarter to send the decider to extra-time.

The Lions did outlast the black and teal bibs though in what Middleton labelled "one of the great grand finals" just after the full-time whistle, but she said that's not the driving force for her side in Saturday's inevitably epic rematch.

"I think that loss drives me more than it does the girls," Middleton laughed.

"It's not something we've spoken about at training at all, it's much more about the fact they've lost their first game and they'll be trying to come back from that.

"Like Orange City we've had some changes too and we're still fitting our new players into the side and figuring out where they'll be at their best, there's been a lot of changes so I think most teams are in that boat.

"And even last weekend it took us three quarters to really assert our dominance [over Hawks], it wasn't until the fourth quarter that we began putting some goals on them, so we're still working into it."

One of Vipers' changes, possibly the biggest, has been welcoming former Lions' centre-court gun Ellie Madden into the fold for 2019.

Madden didn't play in last year's grand final after suffering an injury in Orange City's final training session prior but she was a massive influence in the Lions' run to the decider, particularly in a best-on-court showing in their preliminary final win over their clubmates.

"It's definitely going to be a big game for Ellie, I think she's a little bit nervous as anyone would be but she's really relishing the opportunity in the centre-court," Middleton said of her side's boom recruit.

"It'll be a bit of a baptism of fire but she's fitting in really well and she was great last week, especially in the fourth quarter which I think showed her what she's capable of in a way."

Madden forms a potent centre-court combination with Bridie McClure, who Middleton said is "guiding Ellie along", which has allowed Em Callaway to predominantly play in Vipers' attacking circle, where she shone in that grand final defeat, shooting at 75 per cent.

"Em's playing in there with Teigan Colley, who also started the season really strongly last weekend," Middleton said.

"It is a bit of a different dynamic this year but it's exciting. We've got another new recruit in Bec Kwa too, she's a nippy little player who came through the representative ranks before moving away to study."

With that in mind and the likes of Sheryll Selwood, Abby Tilburg and Kate Harris linking in the defensive end again, in anything Vipers look potentially more threatening they did in winning last year's minor premiership.

Former Australian Schoolgirl Sophie Fardell still has the return to the court too, although she won't be rushed back after having a baby recently.

"[Improving on last year] is certainly our aim," Middleton said.

Saturday's grand final rematch starts at 1.10pm on Court A, opening the second round of games at Sir Neville Howse Stadium.

It'll be followed by Life Studio Sportspower's derby against competition leaders Life Studio Mid West Eyes (Court A) and Orange City Epiroc's clash with Hawks Royals (Court B), both from 2.30pm.

Life Studio take on OHS Hornets in the second round's final game, from 3.50pm on Court A.