West Leagues Balance coach Tracey Baggs will need to craft a new-look midcourt combination as they target a top-two position against University of Newcastle in Newcastle championship netball on Saturday after losing inspirational captain and centre Sophie Buckley for the rest of the season.
Buckley sustained a season-ending knee injury in the opening 20 seconds of West's round-13 clash with Inner Glow last weekend.
"It's a massive loss but our younger ones have stepped up when needed and played well," Baggs said.
"Hannah Cullen can quite easily step into Sophie's role. She can play anywhere. I have been playing her wing attack and wing defence but she also has been in the centre role when Sophie has not been here.
"Savannah Angelozzi can play any one of those three midcourt positions, so I'm feeling comfortable."
West joined University on 28 points after beating last-placed BNC Whanau 53-32 in their rescheduled round-nine match on Tuesday night.
University hold second position from West in third with a superior goal difference but the winner today can seize outright second heading into the final round of the season proper.
University were 51-44 winners when the two sides met in round seven but West have not dropped a game since.
Fifth-placed Inner Glow (22) will throw everything they have at leaders Souths (30) as they try to keep alive their top-four hopes.
Fourth-placed Nova Thunder (24) take on BNC (11) and Kotara South (18) play Junction Stella (14).
All games are at 2.30pm.
