WITH a number of players returning to the side this week Portland will look to challenge North Warrnambool in their Open clash in round five of the Hampden Netball League.

After a tough run last week against Terang-Mortlake with four players missing, the side will welcome back dynamic attacking duo in Heidi Jones and Lexie Petch for tomorrow’s clash at Hanlon Park.

So far the Tigers are yet to secure a win but have come close to some of the competition’s toughest opponents in Warrnambool and Hamilton.

While stability is a key point of improvement for the side head coach Ellen Zeunert says they are working with the cards they’ve been dealt and will be confident heading into tomorrow’s game.

“We didn’t take much from last weekend’s game against Terang-Mortlake, we were low on numbers and the weather really turned so I said after the game there isn’t much to take out of it – we just put that one behind us and move on,” she said.

“We’ll definitely look to challenge North tomorrow; South Warrnambool are clear standouts and Cobden is too and then between Koroit, North, Warrnambool, Hamilton, Terang-Mortlake, and us when we’re at full strength, are all under that middle blanket.

“Going into (tomorrow) we know we’re in for a show and it’ll be fantastic to have Heidi and Lexie back – Lex is really starting to get used to the bit faster pace and bigger bodies and that connection is building.”

North Warrnambool have some powerhouse players across the court including strong midcourt and defensive option Maddie Vardy as well as experienced shooter Skye Billings.

North has claimed two wins so far and sit on the same points as Koroit and Terang-Mortlake which will give them plenty of motivation to come out firing against the Tigers tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s clash will also mark the last game of captain Remy Grant before she is away for a five-game period with the side pushing to make it work.

“It’s Rem’s last game before she heads off on holidays and returns later in the season so we’ll want to get a good run for that as well,” Zeunert said.

“We’ll just make it work while she’s gone, Maddie (Stone) has been playing some great defence but she is an option in the centre, so is Katie (Zeunert) and even Lexie; however, once we do that we have to fill those positions so we’ll take it week-by-week.

“In the end we just want to be out there having fun and enjoying netball. North are a nice, clean and athletic team so it should be a good game.”