There is a strong sense of self-belief in this Sovereigns’ playing group as it prepares to meet neighbouring rival Geelong Cougars in a preliminary final on Wednesday night.

A focused and well-drilled ACU Sovereigns held off Southern Saints for a six-goal semi-final win at the State Netball Hockey Centre mid-week.

Sovereigns coach Kerry Lightfoot said her team proved it could measure up against all top-four contenders – and her players were determined to prove this.

“When the game was finished, the girls were really excited but quickly refocused,” Lightfoot said.

“They cheered and then a few minutes later were saying: ‘Right, what do we need to be ready for Geelong?’

“We really believe we are a chance and they (finals rivals) very much think we’re a threat.

“They know who we are and have been eying us closely all season.”

Sovereigns’ sharp-shooting goalers were the difference.

While Sovereigns do not sport a trademark towering shooter, they boast a double-barrelled goaling attack with Abbey Ryan and Sasha McDonald.

Ryan has made an impact and quickly captured attention with her super-accurate goaling, and drew extra close attention from the Saints.

Fifteen-year-old McDonald, from Edenhope, seized her chance to step up, shooting 26 goals from 28 attempts, under immense physical pressure.

McDonald was this week named in the School Sport Victoria 15/under state team.

The Sovereigns tightened their full-court defensive pressure, attacked hard, but also knew how to best look after the ball and maintain possession.

Wing defence Bridget Smith applied strong pressure with timely turnovers, while goal keeper Emily Atkinson made big rebounds and ruthless intercepts.

Sovereigns co-captain Zoe Davies kept close check on the Saints’ influential goal attack and fellow co-captain Kat O’Dwyer was unfazed in her game on all-Australian junior centre Kate Kelly-Oman.

Ash Ryan was dynamic in wing attack.

Geelong Cougars beat Sovereigns by four goals when they met in Geelong earlier this month.

The Cougars lost their semi-final by seven goals to City West Falcons, who locked in a grand final spot.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au