Australia's national Indigenous netball side coach is taking the positives offered by recent tough matchups ahead of a chance to restore winning ways at the Pacific Netball Series.
Following a historic start to the tournament etching a win over their highest-ranked international opposition to date, the First Nations Black Swans fell short against world top-20 outfits Scotland and Samoa across consecutive games.
Returning for their second PacificAus Sports series in Meanjin, the opening win over Tonga square the ledger with the four-time running champions on Monday.
The Black Swans went on a faultless run after their loss in the corresponding match last year on debut as an initiative, and made it two on the trot to start 2025 with a 59-52 win over Papua New Guinea on Tuesday.
Back-to-back losses against world no.10 Scotland (52-40) and Samoa (54-42) aren't causing too much concern for Ali Tucker-Munro.
"I think every game is tough in the PacAus series, and I think for us, it's really that learning opportunity for the entire squad. We all have a role to play. I think it's about just making sure that when we get out there, we do our job," the Black Swans coach told National Indigenous Times on Thursday.
"We're just taking this week as a real learning opportunity, and I'm looking forward to seeing how we finish off the week."
Tucker-Munro said for the side, top-aged at 24 down to 17 on the court, the series also presents a look at different styles of the game played in different pockets of the globe.
Against Scotland, the Black Swans were made to contend with a new level of height in the opposition shooting circle. Jamaica Jauncey was still able to lead scoring with 31 goals at the other end helped by the solid contribution of 21 feeds from midcourter Tia Molo.
Eseta Autagavaia and Auteletoa Tanimo shared the bulk of the scoring for Samoa on Thursday night, with additions from Lata Holi and Naomi Solomona as the world no.18 control in the later stages.
Just two goals split the sides at halftime.
"It was really exciting to see our young defenders coming out to compete today. Jaylah Boney and Brook Lacey - who was in Black Swans last year, but it was a really nice combination," Tucker-Munro said.
"And we had some other babies also out on court today as well, which was (Central Coast Flames teammates) Acacia Elers and Jayda Grant.
"This is that first foray into high performance pathway sport and understanding how to continue that grind of a really tough game and hanging in there. And I think the girls did a really great job,"
Returning Black Swan Olivia Clark led scoring with 17 goals, followed by Grant.
Lacey - who finished with three interceptions, and Grant combined for 19 deflections in the defensive circle.
The Black Swans finish the rounds portion of the tournament on Friday against Fiji - who pushed Samoa on the opening night and lodged their first win over PNG on Thursday.
The week is about more than what happens on the court, Tucker-Munro said.
"What I really love is the fact that I get to work with these amazing First Nations kids, they've come into the space with a real willingness to learn...they're all the attributes that we look for in Australian high performance pathways."
"For me, that's, that's the win. The wins are not what's on the scoreboard, it's actually them walking out when we finish here on Saturday after our final with a whole bag of tools in their little trick bag to go to as they navigate the rest of their Premier League season.
"So it's really exciting. That's the importance of this program, is that they can do it with their sisters around them."
