The Standard | ALLANSFORD coach Sarah Neeson is confident her side has the talent to shake up Warrnambool and District league A grade netball finals.
But before they can contemplate a run at the premiership, Neeson and her Cats teammates have to get to finals first.
“At the moment we’re taking it week by week, game by game,” she said.
“We’re not even talking finals, we’re focusing on the next week and getting through that. Then we assess whoever’s next.”
The here-and-now mentality comes after a frustrating loss to Panmure a fortnight ago, which left the Cats scrambling to hold onto their spot in the top five.
They bounced back by beating Deakin University last round and face a crucial assignment against Timboon Demons at Allansford Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The two sides sit fourth and fifth on the ladder, with 32 points. They are a game clear of Merrivale and Nirranda, with 28.
“The week before (against Panmure) we got a bit ahead of ourselves whereas on the weekend we focused on playing four quarters of netball, we did that well,” Neeson said.
“It was a good win. There’s definitely room for improvement, the girls did play well but we’ve picked the game apart and found areas we can improve on.”
Neeson believed the Cats could have a major influence in finals, should they finish inside the top five.
Their eight wins this season have included upset triumphs against Dennington and Kolora-Noorat, sides above them on the ladder.
Old Collegians are unbeaten and clear on top, but the premier could emerge from the elimination final.
“Every team is beatable, including us,” Neeson said.
“Finals are a completely different game. I have positive belief we can give finals a shot if we get there.
“But there are a lot of competitors. Merrivale are right there, we’ve had a tight game against them.There are a lot of tough teams out to win it as much as we are.”
Neeson said the Cats were keen to repay the loyalty of a band of volunteers at the club with success come finals.
“We need to do this for the club and the volunteers at the club, they deserve finals,” she said.
In other matches, Merrivale host Panmure in a match the Tigers can ill-afford to drop and Nirranda welcome Russells Creek in another match which will have bearing on the finals make-up.
South Rovers will chase victory number three against Deakin University while Kolora-Noorat get the chance to test themselves against Old Collegians and lowly East Warrnambool meet Dennington at Reid Oval.