It certainly wasn’t the most convincing win ever witnessed in the Kyabram District League A-grade netball competition, but Avenel will take them any way it can get them at the moment.
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Heading into their round 16 clash against Longwood on a three-game losing streak, the Swans carved out a 47-33 victory at the weekend to correct course, putting them in the box seat to secure a finals berth with two games remaining in the home and away season.
Despite the style of netball being far from compelling at times, the Swans ticked most of the boxes coach Georgia Velt wanted them to and, most importantly, secured the four points, which is about all she could have asked for at this point in the season.
“Obviously we'd faced Longwood before, we sort of knew what we were coming up against, which was good,” she said.
“I just implored the girls to play four consistent quarters of netball and I don't think we necessarily did that, but we came up with the win, which we were really happy with.
“We just wanted to put scoreboard pressure on throughout the entire game, play possession netball, and I just gave the defenders the job to shut down the goals as much as they could, and they did the job.
“So, yeah, really happy with it, and hopefully we can maintain that sort of consistency for the next couple of games.”
To describe the win as vital to the Swans’ aspirations this season would be an understatement.
In its previous three outings Avenel had lost to Rushworth, Violet Town and Shepparton East, making it one win from the past five matches and surrendering a solid ladder position to open the door for a host of other contenders to pinch sixth spot away.
It’s fair to say the mood within the Swans camp was gloomy, but there is nothing like a win to restore some faith towards the business end of the season.
“We definitely needed it, our group (morale) needed it for sure,” Velt said.
“We've had so much inconsistency with girls in and out, with injuries, all of the above.
“I think to have our full team out there, the attitude was good and the sun was shining, it really gave us that little confidence boost we need coming into these last couple of rounds, that's for sure.”
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Avenel's Madi Albers shoots over Longwood's Toni Watson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 5
Longwood's Stevie Dickman looks for an option. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 5
Longwood's Lami Shiner reels in a pass. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 5
Longwood's Emily Dunstan looks for a teammate. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 5
Ebony Kinnear looks for a fellow Redleg down the court. Photo by Rechelle ZammitThe victory has improved not only the Swans’ mood, but it has increased their finals chances significantly, too.
Avenel sits a game clear of Stanhope in seventh and has a game in hand over the Lions too, meaning a draw or win in either of its remaining matches against Lancaster or Nagambie will have it safely through to September.
It’s a discussion that has been had at the Swans, although only tentatively, with Velt and her troops wary of assuming success before it has been earned.
“We have (spoken about finals), it’s definitely a taboo word because Avenel hasn’t made finals in such a long time, so I don't want to count my chickens before they’ve hatched,” she said.
“But, yeah, we've spoken about it, and it's been something that we're really striving towards now that we know there is a chance for us.
“We know that next week is going to be sort of the decider for us and then it's just about making sure that we've got the right head space to go into finals.
“We know that we can come up against these teams and we know that we can play good netball, but it's all in our head and it's all (about) how we can perform as a team rather than individually on the day.”
That being said, the Swans are quietly confident they could be a disruptor if they sneak into the top six.
On their day they can certainly match it with the contenders, having gone within a goal of toppling Rushworth earlier this season and been right in the hunt against second-placed Nagambie, too.
“I don't want to say it, but yes,” Velt said when asked if her side could be a bit of a dark horse if it qualifies for finals.
“I know that these girls have the potential, you know, when we're on, we're on, so I know that we've got the potential to play some really good netball.
“Like I said earlier, it's just about that consistent four quarters that we need to bring to the game.
“So, yeah, I think we do have a chance against some of these girls in this final series if we can get a chance in there.”
Elsewhere in round 16, Shepparton East continued its perfect season with a 65-13 pummelling of Undera, extending its run to 15 straight wins, while Nagambie shored up second spot with a 56-45 victory over Violet Town.
Tallygaroopna clinched its spot in finals with a 44-36 win over Stanhope, while reigning premier Girgarre comfortably beat Murchison-Toolamba 54-40 to retain third spot.
Sunday’s sole fixture had Lancaster host Merrigum, with the Bulldogs too good for the Wombats at Lancaster Recreation Reserve, prevailing 37-26.