ALLIRA Hammond has a knack of rising to the occasion on the BFNL netball court.
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In two regular season A-grade games against Strathfieldsaye, the skilful Golden Square defender earned the maximum three Betty Thompson Medal votes as best-on-court.
On Saturday, she added a best-on-court medal in a Bulldogs premiership effort.
It's no wonder her coach Lia Marrone says Hammond, who made her way Golden Square four seasons ago from Cohuna, thrives on pitting herself against the best.
The Bulldogs' gracious skipper - well known for her team-first ethos - said her medal win was "very unexpected".
"I go out to play hard every week, but winning as a team is the main goal and to work together as a team," she said.
"To get best-on-court is a bit of a shock.
"I have awesome teammates. This is my third season here and I couldn't think of a better place to play. It's an awesome club."
The Bulldogs goal keeper needed to be at her best late in the contest as the Storm rallied from a 13 point deficit to claw to within four goals.
Hammond said the late surge had provided the unbeaten Bulldogs with a few anxious moments.
"I was trying to calm myself by saying 'we just need to keep our centres and if we stay in possession we'll be okay," she said.
"I think we you do start to get nervous, everryone can get erratic and it gets away from you.
"I was as grounded as I could (be) at the time.'
Hammond, who finished fifth in the Betty Thompson Medal, said she was grateful to the club for welcoming her with open arms.
"Everyone is so encouraging and supportive," she said.
"Lia has been a great coach - all the girls have been awesome to be around."
Hammond will continue to make the trip from her home in Cohuna each week to be a part of the Bulldogs' bid for back-to-back titles next season.
