TERANG Mortlake now knows it belongs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Bloods - the most improved outfit in the Hampden league in 2019 - pushed unbeaten Cobden on Saturday, fuelling belief it can book a finals ticket.
Lisa Arundell's side has a 4-4 record and sits outside the top-five on percentage after its 46-38 defeat to the Bombers on Saturday.
"We know we are in the mix now and know we have the potential to take it up to these teams," she said.
"We now have confidence to tackle the top teams."
Terang Mortlake, which plays fellow finals contender Koroit next week, caught Cobden off-guard.
MORE NETBALL:
The Bloods took a seven-goal lead into the first break before the Bombers settled.
"I know we didn't win but we had ourselves in a very good position," Arundell said.
"I felt we'd taken it up to them and it wasn't until the last quarter and a series of things occurred that they got on top of us.
"Because of the type of team they are, once they get a few goals they can really hammer it home and suddenly they're 10 goals up."
Terang Mortlake kept Cobden to its lowest score this season.
The Bombers' 46 goals was two less than what it shot against Koroit the previous week.
They've averaged 58 goals per game across their first eight matches.
"Our defensive pressure was fantastic," Arundell said.
"Brooke Hoare, Libby Moloney and Melissa Burt were fabulous and put a lot of pressure on."
Arundell said the Bloods were also honing in on their attacking game plan.
Recruit Faye Clarke, who joined from Kolora-Noorat in the off-season, led the way in this area.
"Faye was really good. She's transitioned from the district league style of play to the Hampden league style of play and she's doing a fantastic job."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.