In her first incarnation Carter established herself as one of the Hampden leagues most dynamic players, winning league A grade best and fairests in 2008 and 2011. She then set her career on a different course, playing for Merrivale between 2012-14, winning a premiership in her debut season with the Tigers. But she is now back at the Eagles and at 31 is seeing the game from a very different perspective.

“The Hampden league has changed a lot since I have been away, it is a lot different,” Carter said.

“It has become such a young competition, I feel ancient, most of our team is under 18. The amazing thing about it is these young girls are not intimidated by the older players, they just take the game on and that makes for some really quick netball.

“All the clubs seem to have such strong junior programs, I know at the Eagles we have some great junior coaches. Watching the young girls up against the young ones from the other clubs is fantastic.”

While a posse of young guns have played a big part in lifting the Eagles to second on the ladder, Carter is also proving to be an invaluable recruit. Carter has given the Eagles plenty of drive from her post at wing attack, using her experience to create a clear pathway to goal for her team.

The Eagles go into their round 14 showdown with Cobden at Bushfield as strong favourites. With just one win for the season, the Bombers will find it tough to  restrict an Eagles team that is on the rebound.

Last week South Warrnambool defeated the Eagles by a goal, a loss Carter said the team is keen to atone for.

“We are still a game clear of Terang Mortlake and South Warrnambool but we know we have to win as many games as we can to stay in the top three,” Carter said.

“It is such a close competition so securing a double chance is important.”

The closet round 14 match is expected to be at Victoria Park when fifth place Koroit host South Warrnambool, a team that is one game and one position above the Saints on the ladder. The Roosters are used to close contests with three of their last four wins by three goals or less.

Portland is away to Terang Mortlake and the Tigers need to upset the Bloods if they are to stay in touch with the top five. The Tigers snuck home for a two-goal win over Warrnambool last week, breaking a run of two losses and getting themselves back in the finals race. The Bloods will be on their game and if they want to hold their place in the top three they cannot afford to lose games to teams below them.

In other games Hamilton Kangaroos return to the Reid Oval for the first time since last years grand final. The Kangaroos should continue their winning run although the Blues are showing significant improvement. At Leura Oval, Camperdown take on Port Fairy with the Seagulls still missing playing coach Kellie Sommerville.