Story got a fresh start with the district league's Mountain Maids after the Diggers merged with Natimuk over the summer.

Suddenly without a club, Story was one of several ex-Diggers to sign up at Cameron Oval.

Under new coach Emma Uebergang, who is also a Wimmera league export from Horsham Demons, the team has raced to a 7-2 record and stamped itself as a genuine premiership contender.

Story said she was sad to leave the Diggers behind, but enjoyed the challenge of playing in a new team in a new league.

"I wouldn't say the standard is that much different from the Wimmera league, although you probably don't beat the bottom sides by as much in the Wimmera competition," she said.

"It's definitely very physical in the district league, but I enjoy that I like the challenge."

Story has used her physicality to great effect and sits third in the league for goals scored.

She said the team bonded quickly after coming together during the summer.

"All of us girls are pretty close even though we haven't all played together before we got on well and trained hard, so we're pretty confident," Story said.

"I was pretty nervous coming to a new club after eight years at Diggers, but Laharum has been really welcoming to me."

Story said the team was in a good position to make a splash in the finals and was confident it could contend for a premiership.

"We played Harrow-Balmoral and only lost by a goal, and we only beat Edenhope-Apsley by three, so it shows we're up there with the best sides," she said.

"It definitely seems like those top five teams will be challenging each other all year and any one of them could win on their day."