Warrandyte Venom has defied expectations by finishing 8th in the 16-team U18 National Junior Classic played at Dandenong over the Queen's Birthday weekend.

Wins against Southern Tigers and Kilsyth propelled the Venom into the top half of the competition, an incredible achievement given the height they were giving away in every contest.

"To finish ranked number eight in the nation is a huge achievement by these girls. Not only were they the first ever Warrandyte team to make the National Junior Classic, but they did the club and themselves proud with their performance," said coach Justin Nelson.

"I can't speak highly enough of them. At times we played teams who's shortest player match up on our tallest. We really were a team full of guards up against some very, very big players. It was David and Goliath in every game.

"But, as I keep saying to this team, we just need to focus on playing great defence and running hard into offence. They did that and the results speak volumes for the work ethic of this group," added Nelson.

"I'm incredibly proud of every player and can't speak highly enough of them, their commitment to the club and to each other highlights the character of these girls.

"There's no doubt that rival clubs look at our group and would love to try and recruit them, but this group love Warrandyte and the club's unique culture, and they enjoy being with each other. It's a strong team dynamic and something that helps us in big games."

In other tournament news, the 16.1 Venom girls won eight straight games to clinch the Nunawading Tournament, snaring their division with a 48-32 win over Ringwood in the grand final.