BEARS Lagoon Serpentine coach Cara Bastian said credit for her side's recent success lies in a full team effort and not the performances of individuals.
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A stunning 46-41 win over Maiden Gully YCW last Saturday delivered the Bears their second straight win and third overall for the season, after they won just one game in 2016.
The victory over the Eagles has set up a gripping battle for fifth spot on the LVFNL league ladder this weekend against Calivil United.
Bastian, who joined Bears Lagoon-Serpentine this season after a stint with BFNL club Strathfieldsaye, said she could not be happier with how the season was progressing.
"The girls have grown exceptionally throughout the year and really taken on board some of the structures we have put in place," she said.
"Three wins this year is certainly a great step forward from last year."
The Bears have not finished above seventh in the last three seasons and, with two games remaining until the halfway mark of the home and away season, are on track to eclipse their 2015 mark of five wins.
A feature of their play this season has been the blossoming partnership in the defensive goal rink of Caitlyn Hocking, who has stepped up from the juniors, and Sarah Perry.
"Our defensive end has been quite strong, it doesn't matter what the combination is, Bastian said.
"Whether it's Jaimi Elgar in there with Caitlyn or Sarah, it's been a formidable line-up.
"Sarah's been a great player to get back, I remember playing against her and I didn't enjoy playing against her because of how good she was, but I'm very happy to be playing on the same team."
It's a case of Saturday not coming soon enough for Bastian, with the first-year coach eager to see how her team matches up against one of the league's traditionally stronger clubs.
"They are obviously in the same position as us in a bit of a rebuilding phase, she said.
"I think the growth we have shown from week to week has certainly put us in a great position.
"The fact we are playing as a team is a great thing for us and we'll continue to leverage that throughout all our games."
A premiership player and club best and fairest previously with YCW, Bastian said she had no regrets in moving back to the Loddon Valley league.
"Coaching is obviously the next chapter in my netballing career and I'm very happy with the decisions I have made," she said.
"The girls have been very welcoming and so has the whole club.
