Flashback to several weeks ago, and it’s something few could have envisioned.
But a string of blistering performances capped off with its recent Merrigum dismantling has had the Hoppers slide into the eight in Saturday’s finale to the home-and-away season.
Murchison-Toolamba mentor Sharne Milne said the side’s race for finals had been a fantastic reward for effort.
“Something just clicked for us,” Milne said.
“I think a few weeks ago, some of the girls assumed that we couldn’t play finals.
“Then someone mentioned if we win A, B and C, that we could do it, and the girls just found the fight they needed to play finals netball.”
Milne said a focus on fitness since the start of the season, and a newfound belief, had helped them finish off strong.
“We’ve worked really hard on our fitness since January — we’ve always gotten over the line and we know we can meet everyone in fitness and intensity,” she said.
“We’ve just been working hard and going into every game with a good vibe and it’s been working.”
This was epitomised in the side’s Bulldogs triumph, a result which is a far cry from the one-point loss to Merrigum only weeks ago.
Despite an even contribution on Saturday, Milne said their captain and mercurial midcourter Emily Wood had been key to the side’s recent success.
“Everyone had a really good game across the court, all girls stepped up which is so comforting,” she said.
“Emily Wood through the centre as our captain has been so important.
“She’s just amazing; she’s an athlete, she leads really well, she’s really positive and works so hard.
“When she steps on the court everyone lifts their game, as a coach it’s so unreal to have her — she is quite inspiring.
“Georgia Foster in our mid-court did really well, she did a huge job of shutting down their wing attack.”
Murchison-Toolamba’s eighth-place finish tees up an elimination final meeting with Violet Town at Longwood this Saturday.
Milne said a close encounter between the two earlier this year had given their side plenty of confidence.
“We lost by one early on in the year (against Violet Town), we’ve improved a lot since then, and I assume they have as well,” she said.
“They’re obviously a very strong side, but I do believe that if we play as we have been, it’s ours for the taking.“
There were no shortage of fascinating fixtures that brought the KDL season proper to a close at the weekend.
Girgarre got the job done in its Sunday clash with Longwood, but has missed out on finals by an agonising 13 per cent after the Hoppers’ triumph.
Meanwhile, Shepparton East clinched the minor premiership and brought its unblemished season to a close with a 43-39 win over Nagambie.
The Eagles are the only team to go unbeaten and were held to just one draw back in round six against Tallygaroopna.
The Redlegs finished second and rounded out its superb season with a 40-25 win over Stanhope, while the Lakers finished in third.
Over in Avenel, the Swans perhaps saved their best till last, overcoming Violet Town with a stunning 56-48 display.
Dookie United finished in fourth after a 39-29 win over Lancaster.
Rushworth and Undera brought their seasons to a close with a 54-31 win to the Tigers.
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