KOLORA-Noorat coach Stacey Hillman believes Panmure will be even hungrier for victory in next weekend's rivalry match after posting its first loss of the season on Saturday.
While the Bulldogs are lamenting a loss, the Power will carry winning momentum into the Super Saturday clash after a 38-33 triumph over Timboon Demons.
"Panmure are going to be very tough and I said from the word go that I thought they would be top-two this year with the recruits they've got," Hillman said.
"And after losing (Saturday), they're going to want to win even more."
The Power sits second on the ladder with a win-loss record of 3-1 and will be looking to produce a solid four-quarter effort against the fourth-placed Bulldogs (3-1) next weekend.
Hillman says they failed to tick off that goal against the Demons on Saturday.
"We dropped off a little bit in the last quarter but we were still quite aggressive, which was good," she said before highlighting her side's evenness.
She said the Power does not rely on an individual to get them over the line each week.
"We've found the last few weeks that we don't have a star in the team, everyone just binds together really well," she said.
It was a scrappy start to the game at Timboon as a strong breeze made it difficult for the goalers from both sides to convert, whether it was from short or long range.
Kolora-Noorat was first to settle thanks to several handy deflections from wing defence Eliza Smith before her side steadied in its transition to attack.
The Power were more willing to work the ball around the ring and into their goalers rather than forcing long shots.
With centre Faye Clarke and wing attack Lauren Carlin constantly presenting themselves around the circle and Hillman finding her range, the visitors zipped to a 10-5 quarter-time lead.
They continued to control majority of the play in the second term as the defenders caused numerous turnovers but the tricky breeze didn't allow them to capitalise on their possession.
An ankle injury to Clarke late in the second quarter forced the Power into changes, with Hillman taking the centre bib while Carlin replaced her coach in goal attack and junior Bethany O'Sullivan came on at wing attack.
Demons defender Prue Hunter battled hard in the second term, rebounding well to help her team reduce the gap, trailing 19-15 at the main break.
Smith was switched to goal keeper at the long change and continued to cause turnovers in the rain-affected second half along with goal defence Sarah Madden.
Steph Jamieson (26 goals) was the Demons' go-to shooter, positioning herself well and converting to help keep her side within reach.
The Power outscored the host 11-8 in the third term before the Demons finished the stronger, winning the last quarter 10-8.
Clarke returned to the court in the last term, indicating she will be right for next weekend's clash with Panmure.
kbutler@standard.fairfax.com.au