Dennington coach Sharon Kenna wants her improving group to remain hungry and build on its first A grade victory of the season.
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The seventh-ranked Dogs defeated Russells Creek by two goals in Warrnambool and District league round five.
Kenna wants to consolidate that win and not let up against bottom-ranked Allansford at Allansford on Saturday.
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She felt her young Dogs put in a brave performance against Creekers, especially after they came from behind in the final stanza.
"I thought it was pretty courageous of the girls because we started the season so poorly and they could have just fallen away going into that last quarter but they really hung tough," she said.
The new coach is over the moon with the progress she has seen in the first five rounds.
"As an overall team performance, from our first game to how we're playing now, it's just really exciting to watch," she said.
"I'm proud of their effort."
Something which has stood out to Kenna is the team's defence.
She highlighted the fact the Dogs, which are 1-4, have lost to four of the top-six sides.
They have only conceded 203 goals which shapes up well against other teams which have had the opportunity to take big victories against the league's lowest-ranked sides.
Kenna praised the work of defence circle combination Rochelle Winnen and Maddie Solly who have stepped up to A grade together from A reserve.
While Winnen and Solly know each other's games, the Dogs have a new combination in attack.
Kenna explained long-time goalie Lani Keane had decided not to play this season due to work commitments.
It means South Warrnambool recruit Meg Attrill has gone to goal shooter alongside goal attack Zoe Fleming.
Kenna said they had improved during the past month.
"Every game they've played, they've just got better and better and seem to have a really nice connection starting to happen," she said.
"Their shooting percentages have started to come up."
Promoting youngsters has also been a feature of the Dogs' season so far.
Ruby Wright and Bec Rea have both experienced A grade netball for the first time this year.
Kenna said Rea made her debut against Russells Creek on Saturday, coming on during the third quarter.
Rea has just graduated from juniors while Wright plays 17 and under.
The Dogs finished third in 2019.
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