CONFIDENCE is key for Merrivale goalie Chloe Lovell.
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And the young Tiger doesn't need to look far for mentors to inspire her.
Lovell, 20, who is in her first season in the Tigers' A grade side after moving from South Warrnambool, has coach Elisha Sobey and experienced goalies Millie Mahony and Jess Haberfield for guidance.
The trio have all tasted success in the Warrnambool and District league's top grade and also in the Hampden league.
Mahony, a Koroit division one premiership player and best and fairest, was part of the Tigers' 2019 victory while Haberfield is a two-time premiership player with Dennington.
Sobey has played 250 Hampden league games and won a premiership with North Warrnambool Eagles. She was also part of Merrivale's 2019 flag.
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Lovell said her belief was driven by Sobey and her goalie partners.
"She (Sobey) has told me to be confident and shoot my goals and be aggressive on the court. She is a good coach, gives good advice and keeps things positive as we have got a new team," she said.
"She builds my confidence up. Millie and Jess throughout the game will tell me what is working and what is not and they give me advice and a confidence boost."
Lovell is part of a formidable Tigers' attack which has combined for 117 goals, 48 from Lovell, in the opening two rounds this season.
Haberfield and Mahony have contributed 36 and 33 goals to the Tigers' tally.
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The only combination with more goals than Merrivale's trio is Nirranda's.
The Blues' pair of Steph Townsend (92) and Sophie Adams (64) have combined for 156 of their team's 160 total. Georgia and Paige Haberfield (two each) have scored the other four goals.
Lovell is relishing playing and training alongside Haberfield and Mahony.
"It's really good. They are two really experienced players and they are good people to be around," she said.
"It's been good practicing at training and getting to know how they both play."
Lovell, who works at Goodstart Early Learning Warrnambool, played under 13s and 15s at Merrivale Recreation Reserve before crossing to South Warrnambool.
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She played Hampden league under 17s and division one netball at Friendly Societies' Park before returning to Merrivale.
"My brother (Dylan) is coaching the under 15s and I know a couple of people here and I knew Elisha would be a good coach," Lovell said of her decision to return.
Sobey praised Lovell's efforts in her side's big victory over Kolora-Noorat this past weekend after reassuring her she was a key part of the Tigers' side.
"She turned it on and only missed three goals," she said.
"I was trying to reassure her that she wasn't my third goalie, as she only played a half at Collegians, and that all our goalies are as good as each other.
"She shot 38 goals, only missing three, as the lead goalie and played three quarters and absolutely smashed it."
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