EVERY GAME will be a surprise for first-year Merrivale coach Carly Peake.
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But the surprise she doesn't want to pop up is her side missing out on Warrnambool and District league netball finals action this season.
"If we don't make finals I'll be disappointed," she said.
"But every team wants that and looking at our list I feel we're definitely finals contenders.
"Being a new team I hope we can gel and learn each others' style very quickly so we can be what we look like on paper on the court.
"I really don know much about the league besides the usuals in Dennington, Nirranda, Timboon and Old Collegians always being up there."
Peake confirmed her sister Cloe Pulling and Nicole Ferguson would return from having kids, while Millie Mahony, who crossed over with her from Koroit, will line up for her first game with the club.
Chantelle Moloney and Tanaya Harradine also join the Tigers' line up to face Russells Creek on Saturday.
Tatum Cassidy, April Worden and Eliza Ljubic will also be apart of Peake's senior line up after impressing in the off-season.
But they aren't the only young stars shining at Merrivale with under 17s players Layla Wilson and Ebony Lilley catching the eye of the club's A grade coach.
Peake said it was a bonus to have the mix of youth and experience for the future development of the club's top side.
"It always helps when there is a mix because looking at myself when I started. I played amongst girls who are older who have the drive also drives your own ambitions and you inspires them to be like them," she said.
"Hopefully they bring that. Had a few practice matches and I have definitely seen a lot of improvement."
Merrivale's last finals appearance was the 2016 grand final when it was defeated by Dennington.
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