The Blues travelled to Cobram with illness plaguing the squad, resulting in coach Grace Hammond and star goal shooter Millie Brock both playing limited quarters.
However, these challenges were not evident on the court as the defending champion jumped out to a quick eight-goal lead in the first quarter.
The Tigers responded in the second, reducing the deficit and drawing within five scores by half-time.
The game turned again in the third, with a dominant 12-5 quarter seeing the Blues return to a 12-goal advantage, which they carried into the fourth, eventually winning by 13 goals, 52-39.
“It was a good game to see what versatility we had as a side with Millie and I not on the court for the full game,” Hammond said.
“As a coach, it really showed me the options that I do have and, regardless of the combination I put out there, the girls stuck to our structures and it was a good game to really implement those and nail them on the head.
“I was impressed with the performance considering we didn't have our full side on the court for the full game.”
Maya Kellett made her A-grade debut in the fixture, the latest of the B-grade squad to get an opportunity in the top grade.
“I think we’ve got some great depth throughout the club this year. We’re obviously quite strong across the board with all teams sitting first or second at the moment in the senior grades,” Hammond said.
“I think I’ve used nearly the whole B-grade side. There’s only a few that haven’t played A-grade yet and it’s only round seven, so I think that really shows where we’re at as a club and the depth that we do actually have.
“It’s really exciting and it’s great to be able to give those girls that are putting in the hard work the opportunities as well.”
Hammond stressed to her side throughout the week about maintaining focus but also enjoying the game, encouraging her charges to remain in high spirits despite the defeat to Rumbalara last time out.
“We had the conversation before the game to really go out and enjoy the netball,” she said.
“Still be focused and competitive but make sure we did it with a smile on our face and I think the girls did that really well, especially after the loss last week.”
Hammond heaped praise on Rumbalara for the way it went about its game the previous week, identifying it as the team to beat this year.
“An absolute credit to Rumba, they’re a great side, they’re very talented. They’ve got strength from their attack end right through to their defensive end, so credit to those girls, they’ve definitely set the benchmark for the season,” she said.
“In a way we’re okay with that. It’s nice to have a loss in the season, especially against a side that was definitely better than us on the day.
“It really exposes to us where we’re at and just because we won the grand final last year that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be the same story this year.
“Obviously a loss is always disappointing but, in the same way, it’s good to expose our weaknesses.”
The Murray league moves into another split round over the next two weeks, with Tongala having the week off next weekend before taking on Finley on June 1.
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