Making the cut the hard way, perennial achievers Central Manawa now have their sights set on a sixth title when they meet the Comets in the Synergy Hair Netball League (NNL) Grand Final in Porirua on Sunday.
In a repeat of last year's season-decider, in which a late-charging Manawa clinched the title 45-43, the defending champions squeezed into this year's final courtesy of a superior goal differential.
The Comets locked up top spot at the end of the regular season five points ahead of Manawa and Waikato Bay of Plenty, the yellow-and-blacks advancing to a seventh final once the sums had been done.
Losing core players to sister team Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse during an injury-plagued season has had ramifications for Manawa but now in the grand final there's everything to play for in a one-off winner-takes-all contest.
"It does make it challenging re-jigging lines which we've had to do through the season but it's also giving great opportunity for lots of players and I think it's proven our depth," Manawa assistant coach Cushla Lichtwark said.
"And when we've brought players into the squad, they've jumped up and done the job for us, and got us into a position where we've made the grand final."
Producing a mixed bag during the season, Manawa come into the grand final on the back of a loss but how they prepare and the sense of occasion sitting in front of them is all that counts.
"It's a fresh week and we are focussing on executing our performance," Lichtwark said. "We understand there were parts of that game last weekend that weren't our best work, so we are focussed on this one last chance with this group of players to put out a great performance.
"Manawa has been here six times in the past, but for a lot of these players, it's their first, so they are pretty excited and it's great to have that energy in the camp. We just need to keep the focus on getting our performance right to finish the job."
After posting a loss and a draw against the well-drilled Comets during the regular season, Manawa are hoping for third time lucky in turning the tables and gaining a positive result in the decider.
"We've had absolutely tight games against them," Lichtwark said. "Tight games are great for the competition and great for our girls as well to get that sort of experience and now it's a matter of getting our performance right and holding our nerve in the game that really counts.
"I have 100 percent confidence in this group. The growth in the players, their skills and combinations over the season has just added to the confidence.
"The previous success of the Zone means there is an expectation and it's about making sure we do the work to be able to make it a reality. It doesn't just happen, and ultimately is a result of the players being out there and working hard."
In what has been one of the closest NNLs since it was formed in 2016, there were four teams in with a chance of making the grand final heading into the final round of the regular season.