Not only are the Tigers eyeing off a spot in the Ovens and Murray netball finals for the first time in more than a decade but at present are holding down third and the prized second chance at September action.

But coach Liv Aughton knows they’ll need two wins in their last four to guarantee a qualifying final.

It’s no easy task in a month of games that begins with Wodonga on Saturday.

The Tigers, Panthers, Wangaratta and North Albury are all locked in a dogfight for third through to sixth – only three can make it but barring upsets all are potentially a chance of finishing on 40 points. 

“We play the big three – Bulldogs, Lavington and Yarrawonga and then finish with Rovers,” Aughton said.

“In the past few years the club has been close but had to rely on other results and we don’t want to be in that position again.

“At the moment we control our own destiny.”

Aughton downplayed their 10-goal winning margin against Wodonga Raiders on Saturday.

Albury had won the first round contest by almost 20 goals.

 “They have come a long way in 10 weeks and led 7-1 early in the first quarter, so from our point of view our girls showed great determination to overcome that early setback,” she said.

“They had Kirby Logie in the defence end and that made it tough on our goalers and we were making basic mistakes – getting called for stepping and held ball.

“But we brought Brooke Cannan into centre and her height and ability to get the ball past the aerial skill of the Raiders defenders proved decisive.

“Justine Willis is now back on the Border playing and training so that is a bonus as well, while Karlee Nolan was super at wing attack.

“We still see ourselves as a side on the up – a mix of girls who have come together from different leagues and clubs who are still developing.”

But Aughton is under no illusion as to the challenge they face this weekend.

“We match up pretty well against Wodonga with the exception of course being a 2m tall, ANL player in Jane Cook,” she said.

“You can’t make it a two on one against Cook because they also have Bec Cameron and you just can’t afford to give her space near the ring.

“Brigetta Hart will most likely play on Cook and she knows what to expect.

“In the end we will be more reliant on our attack end, we can’t afford to cough up the ball down there and need to make them pay for any turnovers.”

“There is an air of excitement at the club, a sense that all that hill running, climbing Monument and self-belief that we are good enough to compete with the best sides is paying off.”

Wangaratta will do battle with Yarrawonga at Norm Minns Oval.

The home team is clinging to fifth spot and will throw everything at their opponents in a bid to stay in finals contention.