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KANGAROO Flat will look to stamp itself as the state's premier club when it contests the Netball Victoria League Club Challenge this weekend.
The Roos earned the right to represent the Bendigo Football Netball League in the two-day competition by winning last year's grand final against Golden Square.
Now the Roos will pit themselves against nine of the best clubs from throughout Victoria at the State Netball and Hockey Centre this Saturday and Sunday.
The inaugural challenge, which was open to A-grade premiers from netball league throughout Victoria, will toss up a gruelling schedule of nine round-robin matches, followed by two semi-finals and a grand final at 2.45pm on Sunday.
Kangaroo Flat coach Janelle Hobbs, who led the Roos to premierships in 2014 and again last season, said she was quietly confident about her side's chances, but would be taking nothing for granted against a stellar line-up of teams.
"Obviously it's only pre-season, but everyone is in the same boat," she said.
"If we could make the semi-finals I would be happy.
"It's pretty full-on, with six games on Saturday and another three on Sunday and hopefully finals.
"They're shortened games, but that's still a lot of netball.
"It wil be a real survival of the fittest at the end."
The Roos will head to Melbourne with their full team from last season's grand final, with the addition of a pair of handy recruits in former Wodonga Raiders goal-attack Julia Clarke and last season's Maryborough playing coach Ingrid Hopkins.
Their line-up will include dual premiership defender Zoe Davies, who has made herself available to play despite crossing to rival BFNL club Eaglehawk this season.
"She was very keen to be a part of it, so we'll be taking down a very handy team" Hobbs said.
"We were a bit disappointed to lose Zoe, but we move on.
"These things happen - it's very hard to keep everyone together after a premiership, but it opens up a chance for some of the young players coming through and our recruits."
Despite the loss of Davies, Hobbs was confident the Roos would again be a premiership contender.
They return experienced players in 2016 skipper Karly Elvey, defender Alicia McGlashon and Jamie Lee-Clohesy, and top young talent in Milly Wicks and teenage goal shooter Ruby Barkmeyer, who was best-on-court in last season's premiership win.
Chelsea Sartori looks set for another big season at centre.
The 2016 North Central representative is showing the benefits of a pre-season spent with VNL club Melbourne University Lightning and is flying on the training track, according to Hobbs.
"She is as fit as a fiddle at the moment and is looking like having a really good year with her VNL commitments as well," she said.
Competing teams include Cribb Point, Diamond Creek, Drouin Hawks, Echuca United Eagles, Edithvale Aspendale, Kyabram, Narre Warren, Thurgoona and Wandin.