With less than hour before curtain time, Baxter was told she would start in the North Warrnambool Eagles midcourt for last Sunday’s cut-throat first semi-final against Portland.

The 16-year-old barely had time to get nervous as she prepared for her A grade debut. Both she and the Eagles were conscious the defending premier needed the show to go on in the absence of star centre Maddie Smedts, who was ruled out with a hamstring strain.

Baxter, who started at wing attack for the first two quarters before moving to centre in the third, ensured it did.

By game’s end, the Eagles had won, progressing to the preliminary final, and Baxter was voted best on court.

If she was on stage, there would no doubt be calls for an encore. Today might be it when the Eagles face qualifying final conqueror Hamilton Kangaroos for a spot in next week’s grand final.

Baxter knows her position rests on Smedts’ hamstring, with a decision to be made this morning.

“She is a star player,” Baxter said.

“I love working with her. We’ve become close when we have trained together. I would rather her start on. She is such a good player. She is an idol for me.”

Baxter said Smedts was a key supporter last Sunday.

“I found out probably an hour before the game (I was playing). I got there as usual knowing I was benching. (Coach Sharon Kenna) approached me and said I would be starting. I got a little bit frightened. I warmed up with the girls and all the girls were getting around me and supporting me.

“I was a bit shocked she chose me. I’m only a bottom-age under 17. I knew the girls would support me. It was very overwhelming at the start.  It was a massive crowd. I was pretty nervous and didn’t know how I would go. I got a rhythm going and it felt good.”

Baxter said she was grateful to Kenna.

“I was very glad she gave me the opportunity and believed in me. Before the game Maddie gave me a lot of support, saying ‘you will be fine’. I started at wing attack for two quarters and centre in the third. I was calmer then. I was concentrating and focusing on the game. Maddie was saying ‘you are doing great, you are doing great, keep doing what you are doing’. At the end of the game I thought what a good experience it was and how lucky I was. It was just great.”

Baxter’s emergence in the midcourt for the Eagles came out of nowhere. This time last year she was playing at Warrnambool. Neighbour and friend Sophie Chow urged her to try out for a spot on the Eagles’ 17 and under side.

“I wasn’t expecting anything. When I got picked, I couldn’t believe it. All I’ve wanted to do is play for North. To me North was the main netball focus, the coaches were so good.”

Starting the year in the 17s, about five weeks ago she was asked to join A grade training.

“I’ve always watched A grade,” Baxter said. “My main aim was bench a game.”

The Emmanuel College student will play centre in the 17 and under preliminary final this morning, unsure of whether she will warm the bench or play later in A grade. Under the league’s rules, she can only play six quarters for the day.

She and wing attack Brie Reichman are likely to be vying for A grade court time should Smedts not play.

“The 17s is my main focus. If I get a quarter here or there I will be grateful,” Baxter said.