KYNETON coach Dianne Guest-Oakley says she is 'rapt' with her club's return to A-grade netball and hopes the Tigers can cap off a pleasing season with a finals berth.
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Entering round 13, the Tigers sit sixth on the BFNL ladder with three wins, six losses and one draw, and trail fifth-placed South Bendigo by just two points.
The Bloods, however, have a game in hand and will be guaranteed four points when they have the bye in round 18 (August 24).
That makes the Tigers' clash this Saturday at Kangaroo Flat a virtual 'must-win' if they are to keep those finals hopes alive.
Guest-Oakley said a finals berth would be a good reward for the hard work of many at the club in reviving the netball program.
"We are still looking at it (finals), we are taking each games as it comes and recognise we are in there with a chance," she said.
"The A-graders are doing well, the girls have come on well.
"Our pre-season was good and the girls are coming through training every week. They were really excited about the season ahead and still are.
"I think the (bye) last week came at a good time for us. I have five of my A-graders, who are going overseas at different times over the next couple of weeks and we have two away at the moment."
The third-year Tigers coach confirmed Emma Webb and Hayley Page would miss the clash against the Kangaroos, who will be looking to rebound from a close four-goal loss to ladder leaders Gisborne.
Kyneton had been in solid form before the break, with a narrow three-goal loss of their own against Gisborne following a victory over Golden Square and creditable effort against reigning premier Sandhurst.
Guest-Oakley acknowledged Kangaroo Flat had stepped up to another level in 2019 and would be hard to overcome on their home court at Dower Park.
"These are the games we are working towards - we have some tough ones that are coming up," she said.
"I do have our A-grade girls entered at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Tuesday nights to give them a second game and another challenge.
"They started this week and had a won first-up."
The Roos won the teams' earlier season contest by nine goals.
In a round pitting four of the league's top five teams against four of the league's bottom five teams, second-placed Sandhurst makes the trek to Maryborough (seventh), Strathfieldsaye hosts Gisborne, and South Bendigo clashes with Golden Square at the QEO.
Third-placed Eaglehawk has the bye.
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