And with two members of the all-conquering Division 1 squad from 2020 set to return to Lake Wendouree on Friday - lockdown depending - the school has every right to be called favourites.

Despite the likes of Grammar and College breathing down their necks, the top billing is well earned for the Loreto squad.

Head of rowing Taylah Blake said the want was there in the squad to perform.

"There is a really big desire within our whole program to replicate last year's success," she said.

"I also believe that success is the byproduct of the culture and the kids in the program. We've had a great season, our kids have been absolutely phenomenal."

Blake said the lack of being able to get together in the past week had been a challenge that all schools would have to overcome for Friday.

"This little hurdle of not being together while it is not ideal, it's also something we were incredibly prepared for," she said.

"The girls have been amazing, what we've done this past week is a little bit of tapering, mindset, while we are not together as such, it's not a lot different to what we would have done otherwise."

This year's Division 1 crew also features a sister-act for the first time with co-captain Casey Dodd on stroke being joined by her sister Lana. Aisling Love is also back as cox for this year.

Last year the crew paid tribute to the spit crews as being the key to success, but with the absence of the support on the sidelines this year it will mean it will be more like a normal regatta.

"Through the conversations we've had, the girls know that everything they need to achieve their goals is within themselves," Blake said.

"While it would have been lovely to have more volume on the sidelines, the girls have done the work and it will be a case of business as usual for them."