The Rats missed out on finals by three games but development was evident, as new coaches Jess Williamson and Lauren Armstrong brought in some new faces into the team which paid off on the court.

The team had to make changes to the team often with injuries playing a big part in the season but Armstrong said it was a positive year overall.

“The girls adjusted to the ins and outs during the year really well and  it definitely surprised us how well it all worked,” she said.

“They were either going to gel with a new team each week or not and it just worked because of the girls who we had in the team.”

Some of the junior players also got a taste of senior netball with Tayla Borelli, Lilly Sewell and Monique Scott all filling in at different times during the year.

While the Rats fell short of finals, Armstrong said the 2017 season will give the team plenty of belief for the future and something to build on for next year.

“We would have liked to have gotten into the finals, it was definitely our aim but considering we had so many changes across the year, I think it was a really positive year,” she said.

“Bec Skrabl and Tahnee Walker were amazing as captains, they are very positive role models both on and off the court and they were always there to support us during the year.

“And Donna Spalding was kind of the coach on the sidelines with Jess and I on the court, so she was a great help as well.”

Discussions with the club regarding the 2018 coaching set-up have yet to be had but Armstrong said there is a chance the pair will stay on as co-coaches for the 2018 season.

“Yeah definitely, but we will have to wait and see what happens,” she said.