The Big V under 23 squad is winless after eight games, anchored to the foot of the table.

But Warrnambool co-coach Shane Smith said positive signs had emerged in the past month.

Four of the Seahawks’ past five games have been decided by single figure margins.

The only blowout was to competition pacesetter Warrandyte Venom, which scored a 66-point win on Saturday night.

Warrnambool’s two heaviest defeats have come against Warrandyte — the only side to hit triple figures against the new combination.

Smith said the Seahawks’ winless start had tested morale but praised his roster for its persistence. 

“Over the last few weeks we’ve been really competitive,” he said.

“Against Corio Bay we were up with a minute to go and had a chance to win that. We had a chance to beat Maccabi the next day and had a chance to beat Mildura, so we’re putting ourselves in good positions.

“They (the players) have found if you play good defence it generates a lot of offence for us.”

Smith said the Seahawks were adapting to the competition’s physicality and still learning how he and co-coach John Wormald wanted the team structure, particularly given the high number of players on the bench each week.

He lamented the side’s heavy travel load — it’s played six of its first eight matches on the road — believing it’s sapped the side of energy.

“It is an interesting league. The top teams are quite strong and structured,” he said.

“We have played teams which are a bit older and physical and they’ve been our really big losses.

“The good thing about the team is we haven’t thrown in the towel.

“In Saturday’s game we won the last quarter.

“Little things like that show a lot of character.”

Smith said the Seahawks had learned the importance of looking after the ball and cutting turnovers out of their game.

“As soon as you make a silly mistake the opposition capitalises,” he said.

Co-captains Sam Gray and Jake O’Flynn have embraced their leadership roles.

Smith had particular praise for Gray, who is averaging nine points a game, for his voice on court. He said Liam Osborne was another junior to step into senior ranks with aplomb.

Vic Country representative Oliver Bidmade will join the Seahawks’ rotations in coming weeks, giving them another focal point in the paint.

Smith expects the Seahawks to notch a breakthrough win in coming weeks but reiterated the under 23 competition’s main goal was to nurture Big V division one prospects.

Warrnambool’s youth league side plays Mildura at the Arc on Saturday at 7pm, with an away game against Chelsea on Sunday.