That's because Lana McCarthy's women finished fifth out of 19 elite-level sides at west Sydney last week, the three-day tournament stretching from Saturday-Monday.

After a shaky day one that acted as somewhat of a feeling out process, Thunder won 11 of their last 12 contests, finishing with 13 wins, four losses, and one draw.

Although the result didn't quite match the club's championship-winning result in 2014, it's being viewed as an incredibly brave effort, largely due to the age of the new-look side.

Defender Katie Matthews admitted the opening exchanges were tough, but after the squad found its rhythm, she was stoked at how it progressed.

"We knew the first day was going to be our toughest," Matthews said.

"We were playing against all the previous champions and successful teams. It was a pretty tough way to start the campaign, but we hit back hard."

Hit back they did... Thunder went six-from-six on Sunday, notching wins over the likes of Charlestown, Illawarra District and Quirindi.

Matthews had the chance to reflect on the side's early woes, suggesting the contact its opponents initiating caught Thunder off guard.

"They really brought the physicality and we probably didn't have that on day one," she said. "It was our first time playing against proper sides."

In the lead-up to the trip, Danielle Turner admitted there was a bit of apprehension, mainly due to the quality of sides waiting at Liverpool.

But, looking back on the competition, Harvey said the girls did about as well as they could do under the circumstances.

"A lot of our players are just out of high school, so we don't have much experience," she said.

"Day one probably could have been a bit better, but we did the best we could. We really worked well as a team."

As for individual stand outs, Matthews couldn't go past a certain duo.

"Em Williams was amazing, and so was Bailey-Rose Miller," she said. "She had an outstanding competition and really drove the ball down the court well."

Now that this group is better off for the experience, Matthews sees no reason why the squad can't go a few spots better in 2022.

"We only trained together as a team about six times," she said. "If we have some more sessions and carnivals together, we can make the top three next time we go back."

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