NORTH CENTRAL'S open netball team remains quietly confident of its chances of success at the Netball Victoria State Titles.
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Team captain Brianna Dalrymple-Monro said the team had bonded well ahead of the titles, which will be contested at the Golden City netball courts in West Bendigo this weekend.
The team is using a unique preparation, staying together at a Bendigo motel to aid team bonding.
Dalrymple-Monro said the team had prepared well for the titles and players were looking forward to testing themselves against some of Victoria's best netballers.
"We have really talented girls, who are going to have a good crack this weekend," she said.
"It's good testing our region against the rest just to see where we are at.
"Hopefully we do well in all ages."
Dalrymple-Monro, 23, is making her first appearance for North Central since 2012.
The former Sandhurst player was one of the chief architects behind Strathfieldsaye making its first BFNL A-grade netball grand final appearance.
A Betty Thompson Medal winner in 2011 and runner-up this season, Dalrymple-Monro will be supported by vice-captain Olivia McEvoy, from Heathcote District club Colbinabbin.
Coach Janelle Hobbs was pleased with her squad's mix of youth and experience, and versatility.
It contains seven BFNL league players, three from the Heathcote District league and one Echuca-based player, Emily Atkinson.
Hobbs said there would be no easy games as North Central looked to reach the grand final for the first time in her five-year reign as coach, after falling just short on a few occasions.
"We won't be taking anyone lightly, they (teams) will all be tough," she said.
"You basically have to win every game to make finals, so it's pretty cut-throat.
"It's nice being on our home courts, albeit our players don't really play here (At Golden City) and it'd be nice to win in in our home town."
Strongest opposition is expected from reigning premiers Two Bays, Ballarat, Jika and Sunraysia, which has rejoined the open section after a few years' break.
Competition will be equally fierce in the 17-and-under and 15-and-under sections, where North Central's chances are rated as strong.
15-and-under: Melinda Luke, Bridget Byrne, Jess Davidson, Holly Doricic, Ruby Barkmeyer, Tess Teggelove, Meg Rohde, Isabella Fitzsimmons, Claudia Mawson, Mary Claire Pearce.
17-and-under: Julia Twigg, Annie Spear, Abbey Ryan, Meg Patterson, Millie Wicks, Meg Williams, Georgia Miller, Imogen Sexton, Elley Lawton, Ava Lowndes.
Open: Brianna Dalrymple-Monro, Olivia McEvoy, Rebecca Smith, Rachel Mackenzie, Jodie Lake, Brooke Bolton, Emily Atkinson, Chelsea Sartori, Zoe Davies, Ashley Ryan.