Australia's national Indigenous representative netball side will play for bronze in their second showing at the high-performance stage on Wednesday.
The First Nations Black Swans, who made a landmark debut against international outfits at the Pacific Netball Series in June, have fallen just short of a spot in the final at the Australian Netball Championships in the ACT.
They'll face the NT's Territory Storm for third place after tough tests against the country's best.
Joining a new-look Championship following Netball Australia's introduction of the Super Netball Reserves in 2024, the Black Swans came up against fellow incomers NSW Waratahs and hosts Capital Darters in addition to the Storm.
Ahead of their return following a top-of the table finish at the Pacific Series - a tournament where they were unable to contest for top honours as an invitational side - defender Aalyea Turner told National Indigenous Times she was optimistic about the Black Swans' changes to medal.
"I definitely think we have a good chance...I'll be really excited, but obviously a challenge," Turner said.
Against world-ranked opposition, the South Australian said she and teammates "surprised each other and ourselves with how good we were playing and how we connected".
Their Championship run got off to a hot start against the Storm winning 58-44 on Sunday.
West Coast Warriors WA Netball League shooter Jamaica Jauncey - who returns after starring in Meanjin two months ago - top-scored with 40 points in the opener.
Melbourne Vixens squad member Gabbey Coffey made her maiden appearance as captain.
Speaking to National Indigenous Times leading into Super Netball's second week of First Nations Round in July, Coffey said she was keenly waiting for the chance to have a "crack" at running out with the side after mid-season Vixens commitments prevented her previously joining the Black Swans.
The Waratahs, who went unbeaten through the rounds stages, got the better of the Black Swans on Monday, setting up a crucial tie with the Darters with a final berth on the line Tuesday afternoon.
After trailing for the bulk of the opening quarter, shooting pair Jauncey and Olivia Clark helped gain a narrow lead early in the second, while Turner and Brooke Lacey played part in stifling opposition opportunities in goal defence and wing defence.
The Darters withstood a fightback to lead by four at halftime.
After dramatic swings in momentum through the third - including a five goal run for the Black Swans to cut a double-digits lead back to within reaching distance, the hosts were too good in the later stages, ending the match 59-46 winners.
Third place remains up for the taking ahead of their final match of the Championships just months after coming together for the first time, the idea of an Indigenous national side turning from concept to realised opportunity in quick fashion.
Earlier this year, Black Swans inaugural coach and Netball Australia First Nations engagement lead Ali Tucker-Munro said "It's not just a pivotal moment for our sport. It's a pivotal moment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander netballers across the country".
