Season 2022 has been one filled with positives for Paige Wade and her A-grade netball side at Tongala as it gears up for an appearance in the Murray League finals series.
But one thing that has eluded the Blues this campaign is a major scalp, with their four losses and solitary draw coming against top contenders, Moama, Nathalia and Deniliquin Rams.
This makes Saturday’s clash against second-placed Rumbalara all the more important, as it looks to officially stamp itself as a premiership threat come September.
And after falling to Moama in a one-goal thriller last weekend, Wade said her team was excited to get back on court and take it right up to Rumba at Mercury Drive.
“It is good to have two tough contests back to back (in Moama and Rumbalara) as it gives us a chance to have another go this week after losing so narrowly to Moama,” Wade said.
“We’ll obviously go into this game as big underdogs, which means we don’t really have anything to lose.
“We haven’t seen Rumba all year which is a bit odd, being so late in the season, so we are keen to tick that box and see how we stack up against them.”
Rumbalara, who endured just its second loss of the season at the hands of the undefeated Deniliquin Rams last week, will also be desperate to bounce back as it hopes to secure its spot in the top two.
Wade said she expected to be greeted with a slick Rumba outfit this weekend.
“Rumba have obviously been at the top of the competition for a number of years now which makes for an exciting challenge,” she said.
“They are very fast and play a different brand of netball, so coming off a loss we are expecting to see a very fired-up unit.
“We’ll need to play our own game and capitalise on any turnovers we get against what is such a good team.”
Currently sitting in fifth, and just two points adrift of Moama in fourth, Wade said a win this weekend would be critical leading into the finals series.
“The top six is very close so a win this weekend would be amazing,” she said.
“If we were to get up this weekend it would put us right back in the mix to finish third which would be huge leading into finals.”
The Blues will at this stage sport an unchanged lineup, with last week’s clash with Moama yielding no fresh injuries.
Around the courts, nothing but a win will suffice for Congupna as it welcomes Moama in a bid to keep its slim finals hopes alive.
Deniliquin Rams will be eyeing off their 16th win of the season as they make the trip to Barooga to face the Hawks.
The remaining three A-grade fixtures will take place next weekend as the Murray League enjoys its second split round of the season.