Launceston Tornadoes captain Steph Gardner says her side can still make a dent on season 2019 despite a 2-5 start to the year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A knee injury forced the 26-year-old to sit out much of last weekend's away double-header as the Torns fell to a 47-point loss to Frankston and a 14-point defeat at Eltham.
Saturday's home game at Ulverstone against high-flying Dandenong appears crucial to the Torns' final hopes, and Gardner believes her side's best isn't far away.
RELATED: No time to wash away year
"I feel like it's still early in the season and we can turn it around, we just have to click and that could happen at any moment so you just have to stay positive," Gardner said.
"Any time you're dealing with a new team there's just a matter of getting a feel and we're still trying to understand each other and understand what coach wants, so once we get an understanding of that I think we'll start producing on the floor."
Gardner was recruited as a direct replacement for Lauren Mansfield at the start of the season, filling the Opal's roles as point guard and captain.
The New Jersey product was the last to arrive of the three Torns imports but has hardly missed a beat, shrugging off an interrupted start to the campaign to average 18 points, four rebounds and five assists a game.
"That's easier said than done," Gardner said of stepping into Mansfield's shoes.
"To have that title is more of an everyday responsibility and it's learn as you go.
"Being one of the older ones I do take that on heavily because I have the most experience on the team - not just here but playing in Europe, so I do take it seriously and it's something that I'm trying to get better at every day."
Vital to the Torns' hopes of conquering a rampant Rangers side boasting Rebecca Cole, Gardner is confident of playing significant court time on Saturday night.
"This week I've just been taking it easy trying to get 100 per cent healthy.
"If I'm able to move and do everything that I'm capable of, I'll be out there to help the team."