The former Tassie Spirit utility felt the ongoing partnership to link up with Super Netball club Collingwood is finally reaping its rewards.

“Regardless of the outcome, it’s probably the best result a Tasmanian team has ever had in an ANL season,” Sansom said.

“But I think any of us will be disappointed with anything less than making finals this year because we have been so competitive.”

The Tasmanian Magpies debuted with an historic win over the four-time defending ANL champions Victorian Fury before dropping five of their next six encounters.

But five successive wins since the halfway mark of the season has given the side one of three chances to reach the final four.

The Tasmanians need to win one more game than either Queensland Fury or Southern Fury from a weekend double-header against Western Sting in Perth.

Canberra Giants could also drop out at the Magpies’ expense should the current second-placed team lose both of their games against the Queenslanders.

“Our aim every weekend is to win both games. So, going into this weekend, we’re relying on the outcome to be positive for us to make it into the finals,” Sansom said.

“It’s probably a bit more pressure this week than we’d normally have on us.

“I don’t know who needs to win or lose for us to make finals, but to put ourselves in the best opportunity, we really need to win both.”

Sansom has admitted time has also benefited the rookie team to gel better.

The squad has been forced to train out of both Hobart and Melbourne, only coming together on matchdays.

“I think what it is we’re spending more time together after our preseason was quite short,” Sansom said.

“We’ve had just a camp together, which is the only time we’ve trained as a whole group, and week by week, we’ve been building every week.”