The universe seemed to do everything it could to scupper Wendy Frew’s playing future. She had to undergo surgery after a van crash and only just made it back for last year’s premiership final.
Then a week after her return, an Achilles rupture in the Super Club final sent her into months of rehabilitation.
She missed the Silver Ferns trials in that period, for which she had been recalled after an impressive season.
As a 33-year-old who has done it all, she would have been forgiven for giving it away.
But that is not how Frew operates.
The captain and wing defence is set to play half of each of the Southern Steel’s opening games in Palmerston North this weekend.
That means she will face the Northern Mystics tomorrow and Central Pulse on Monday. The season opening is a familiar feeling for Frew, who made her debut in 2002.
However, the fire still burns as strongly as ever — perhaps even stronger after the past nine months.
"I think for me if the motivation was gone and I wasn’t excited about what I was doing, I certainly shouldn’t be doing it," she said.
"So the motivation grows every year.
"When you get in a new team and a new environment you find that excitement and just can’t wait to get into it.
"I guess for me it’s been a bit different this off-season, coming back from a major injury.
"That’s given me motivation to get the leg right to get on that court and I really want to get back to where I was last year in terms of my form."
Frew brings more than just her physical abilities, though.
She is trying to pass forward the guidance and experienceshe had 16 years ago from the likes of Donna Wilkins, Adine Wilson and Bernice Mene.
Newcomers Dani Gray, Olivia Bates and Courtney Elliott have joined the team.
Likewise, Abby Erwood and Jennifer O’Connell will play bigger roles.
Jane Watson and Jhaniele Fowler-Reid are gone, but the midcourt remains the area of stability. Last year’s trio return and are joined by Gray.
Many would argue it enters as the premiership’s best midcourt.
"I think we’re lucky we’ve been playing together for a few years now.
"Shannon [Francois] and Gina [Crampton] bring so much experience and as a trio we’re always trying to see how we can improve and be better.
"We have a lot of tough conversations with each other about our own performances and, as a midcourt, how we can lead from the front and put good performances out there.
"We take a lot of pride in us three being a good combination. We work hard on it."
Frew was expecting a tougher season this year and was not being bogged down by last year’s success. The team was unbeaten.
While going back-to-back was the ultimate goal, the side would set its sights on making the top three to start with and then reassess.
ANZ Premiership
Southern Steel, Palmerston North
Sunday: v Northern Mystics, 2.15pm
Monday: v Central Pulse, 7.45pm
Southern Steel
2018
Coach: Reinga BloxhamAssistant coach: Lauren PiebengaGains: Dani Gray, Olivia Bates, Courtney Elliott.
Losses: Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (West Coast Fever), Jane Watson (Tactix), Jamie Hume (Mystics).
Squad
Defenders: Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Abby Erwood, Courtney Elliott.
Midcourt: Wendy Frew (c), Gina Crampton (vc), Shannon Francois, Dani Gray.
Shooters: Jennifer O’Connell, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Olivia Bates.
Key facts
• Enters the season as defending champion and on a 21-match winning streak.
• Newcomers Dani Gray and Olivia Bates played for the team last year after a van crash sidelined four regular starters.
• Will play four home games in Invercargill and two in Dunedin.
Outlook
Still has the best midcourt in the competition and experience at either end in the Selby-Rickit sisters. Fowler-Reid and Watson are big losses in key positions and how the young players step up will determine how far this team can go.
Draw
v Northern Mystics, Palmerston North, May 6
v Central Pulse, Palmerston North, May 7
v Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, Dunedin, May 16
v Northern Mystics, Invercargill, May 21
v Central Pulse, Porirua, May 30
v Northern Stars, Invercargill, June 3
v Northern Stars, Christchurch, June 10
v Mainland Tactix, Christchurch, June 11
v Northern Mystics, Auckland, June 20
v Mainland Tactix, Dunedin, June 24
v Central Pulse, Invercargill, July 2
v WBOP Magic, Hamilton, July 9
v Mainland Tactix, Invercargill, July 16
v WBOP Magic, Auckland, July 22
v Northern Stars, Auckland, July 29.
