Coming off a 45-goal loss to Moama, Saunders indicated her side was slowly building its on-court fluency as it looks to tackle Cobram, another side yet to register a win in 2022.
“While (the Moama game) was upsetting on the scoreboard, we came away with a really positive attitude,” Saunders said.
“We’re starting to meld together as a team. That team aspect with such a young group is what’s going to pull through for us.
“Everyone’s feeling positive and getting around each other.
“Kate Pearson in goal attack had her best game — It’s awesome to see the younger girls shining.”
With the average age of the squad floating around 22, Saunders expects supporters to see the current brigade around for a while.
“I’m sure they’ll be part of the A-grade side for the next decade,” Saunders said.
“Just finding each other on the court, having a bit more of that intuitive movement and getting our set plays down pat will be important.
“In the goal-ring at both ends, perhaps more in the shooting circle, Kate (Pearson), myself and Remy (Day) are just finding each other.
“It’s becoming easier to do the circle work.”
For those with inclinations of writing off the Eagles hopes, Saunders needed only to point to last season.
The Eagles turned a 1-5 start into a 6-6 finish, finishing right in the finals frame before the season was cancelled.
“When you look at how we did last season, it was a slow start but by we were in finals contention by the end of it,” Saunders said.
“The turn-around can be drastic.”
United have faced finals contender Tongala (37-67), flag fancy Deniliquin (29-47), and the experienced Moama (23-68) in the first three games.
Round four will also see MNL table-toppers Deniliquin and Rumbalara go head-to-head, both sides sitting 3-0 ahead of their blockbuster clash.
Echuca United and Cobram A-grade will go head-to-head at the Echuca South Recreation Reserve courts this Saturday, April 23.
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