Diggers Rest will get a clearer indication of where it sits among Riddell District Netball League contenders in the next few weeks.
The Burras started the season well when playing lower-placed sides, but have had more testing matches in recent weeks.
After falling to the undefeated Romsey side a couple of weeks ago, the Burras faced another finals hopeful in Melton Centrals on Saturday.
They went down 60-51, with an 18 to eight-goal second quarter proving to be the difference.
Burras playing coach Amy Carroll scored 29 goals in the loss, with Shelby Strong, Toni Lind and Stephanie Barnes named their best.
For Centrals, captain Jessica May was best on court and Rita White-Kay scored 39 goals.
Speaking before the match, Carroll said she was maintaining a positive outlook.
“We played a really strong team in Romsey and it hit us hard, but it was good to have a match like that,” she said.
“We need to play against teams like that to test where we are at.
“They have an incredible team and every single player is talented. We won the second half, which showed we can match it with them.”
Carroll said that with so many new faces in the side, the Burras were still finding their way and working out what combinations worked best.
She said getting off to better starts in games and working on the side’s shooting combinations were two areas in which a lot of improvement was still to come.
She said there had been challenges in having so many good players.
“It can be hard as a coach as there’s some really good players,” she said. “It’s a good problem to have, though.
“I want to give all the girls a good chance to play together – but they understand we want to win.
“The likes of Natasha Chokljat and Toni Lind have been incredible additions.”
The Burras’ task doesn’t get any easier – they will face Lancefield twice in a row, either side of the bye.
The Tigers have had just a single loss in the season so far, a one-goal defeat at the hands of Romsey.
In other results, Lancefield defeated Sunbury Kangaroos, Macedon was too strong for Rockbank, Romsey defeated Rupertswood and Riddell beat Woodend Hesket.
