The team, which was finalised on Tuesday night, boasts eight Netball Victoria State League level players, as well as the `who's who' of the BFLNA.

Coach Di Rogers said Ballarat had the experience to match it with the highly fancied home side, as well as Goulburn Valley and Ovens and Murray.

"We've got a pretty strong team this year," she said.

Ballarat has four solid goaling options in state-league club Altona Lightning player Sarah Hanley Woodbridge (Melton South), former state-league club Ballarat Pride player Catherine Maika (Sebastopol), Georgia Cann (Ballarat),

and Kate Byrne.

Pride player Chelsea Snibson (Sebastopol) and former squad member Pam Edsall (Ballarat) will give Ballarat extra security in defence, and will work with Megan Renouf (Ballarat), and Alicia Reivers (East Point).

Former Pride members Kirsty O'Rourke (Ballarat), Katie Williams (East Point), and Stacey Wood (Sebastopol), along with Sebastopol captain Emma Bryant, will make up the centre court.

Rogers said Ballarat was fortunate to secure the services of Hanley-Woodbridge, who is recovering from a serious finger injury.

Ballarat was successful in just one of three games at the 2004 carnival, and has taken steps to ensure a better performance this year.

Players have participated in more training sessions, and Rogers said Maika and Hanley-Woodbridge would make up for last year's lack of height in attack.

"I think, whatever combinations we have on the court, I'm hoping they will work," she said.

"We would like to go out and enjoy ourselves, and winning will help with that."

She said Geelong, which has also selected state league players, would provide Ballarat's stiffest opposition.