BEARS Lagoon-Serpentine's new netball coach Sally Sheahan hopes last weekend's first-up win is a glimpse of better things to come for her new-look side.
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The Bears victory over Inglewood was their first in the A-grade competition since a round 15 win over the Blues on July 15, 2017.
That victory put the Bears inside the top five, but three subsequent losses to end the season caused them to miss the finals by just one win.
Sheahan, who has made her way to Serpentine after lower grade stints at South Bendigo and Inglewood, expressed delight with her side's approach to the game, after the Bears skipped to an 11-goal lead at quarter time before getting the win 38-28.
"The very first game there is always nerves, so we are glad to get it done and dusted and see some of the hard work pay off from the pre-season," she said.
"We still have things to work on, but we are happy to get the win.
"Our defence end was really good all day - Sarah Perry, Yelena Jennings and Ellen McRae - and Emily Streeter in the centre was amazing."
Next up for the Bears is Calivil United on Saturday, with Sheahan embracing the challenge of coming up against one one of the league's powerhouses.
"This will show us exactly where we sit," she said.
"I'm sure the girls are looking forward to it. We have another two players (Anna Osborne and Emily Stewart) coming in next week, who couldn't play (last Saturday) and that will strengthen the team some more.
"Hopefully we can give them a run for their money."
Newcomer Osborne is expected to line up in defence, while Stewart, who played with the Bears last season, is set to make the switch from defence to attack.
The Demons rebounded from an opening round loss to Newbridge to defeat Marong last weekend, with Christie Rogers in solid form with 42 goals.
With the win-drought over, Sheahan hoped their victory over the Blues would be a significant confidence boost for the Bears.
"To get a win and get the girl to feel it was an important thing and now hopefully we can build on it," she said.
"Had we lost it might have been an uphill battle, but a win is very promising.
"I'm really happy for the girls more than anything."
In other games on Saturday, Newbridge (1-0) returns from the bye to take on Mitiamo (2-0) at Riverside Park, while Inglewood (0-2) faces the might of Bridgewater, which has lost none of its premiership hunger after a slick 2-0 start, underpinned by a big win over Maiden Gully YCW last weekend.
Pyramid Hill (0-2) has the bye.
Maiden Gully YCW and Marong play on Good Friday.
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