Nova coach Katie Robinson expects stability to prove key in what she predicts will be "a tough battle" against three-time champions West Leagues Balance in Newcastle championship netball on Saturday.
Thunder produced a convincing 37-goal win over Junction in their first hit-out of the season four weeks ago. Competition resumes today after a lengthy hiatus.
"Our new younger players [Marnie Robinson and Amalia Fitzhenry] slotted in nicely in that first game, so this will be a nice test for them," Robinson said.
"The good thing about our team is we're relatively stable. I think that's going to be our advantage. Although we've not played together for that long, I think consistency at training will help."
The former national league player tipped Robinson and Fitzhenry in the midcourt and goalkeeper Georgia McVey to prove key for Thunder on Saturday.
"Georgia was phenomenal last game; she just steadies us at the back," Robinson said. "Although she's not very tall, her read of the ball was superb last game.
"I don't know who we're going to come up against. The only one I know is Sophie Buckley, who's just frustrating for us in the middle. But sometimes the middle is not always as important as the ends.
"I'm not sure what they've got at either end but it's always tall and strong and good."
West opened their 2021 campaign with a 46-31 win over BNC Whanau four weeks ago. Coach Tracey Baggs was wary of Thunder and agreed Nova's stability was their danger as she waited to see who of her NSW Premier League players would be able to play this weekend.
Tarsha Hawley is still out with NSW Swifts Academy commitments and Rhiannon Stokes will be sidelined with an ankle injury but Baggs was hopeful Central Coast Heart shooter Maddie Taylor would be available.
"Nova are one team that can play very consistently because they don't have the premier league issues in their team," Baggs said.
"In the past two years, COVID included, they've been a very consistent, strong side."
Souths will look to continue their strong start to the season when they play Junction. The Lions were 48-35 winners over University of Newcastle, who went through last campaign unbeaten, in their first game. University play Kotara South and Inner Glow take on BNC in the other games on Saturday.
All games are at 3.48pm.
