The ANZ Championship looks easy from the couch and that is where rookie Steel defender Storm Purvis watched it from last season.
Now the 19-year-old is marking, rather than watching, those same great players.
It has been a steep learning curve but the 1.86m goal keep has impressed when she has taken the court.
In her debut game she had the job of defending the world's leading shooter, Irene van Dyk, for the crucial final quarter.
A couple of weeks ago she found herself trying to close down Australian shooter Caitlin Bassett, and tonight it will be her role to shut out Jamaican international Carla Borrego, when the Steel travels to Adelaide to play the Thunderbirds.
"I've been trying not to think about my opponents as any different to a shooter I would have come up against at age group level. They throw the same ball, shoot the same hoop and it's the same game, only faster," Purvis said.
"I think I was lucky to come up against Irene van Dyk in our first game, to get that initial shock out of the way, because she is such a legend.
"It's strange for me, looking back at how quickly everything has happened.
"This time last year I might have laughed if you had told me I was starting against the Fever.
"But I'm loving the challenge and really just trying to make the most of the opportunities the coaches are giving me.
"It's also helpful having someone like Demelza [McCloud] on and off the court to help settle me in.
"I've learned a lot from her, which I think has helped me to not worry about any pressure and just focus on the team and our performance."
The Thunderbirds won the league in 2010 and have been one of the form teams this season.
They have impressed with away wins against the Queensland Firebirds and Northern Mystics.
Borrego has played a key role, with 154 goals from 179 attempts.
Keeping the ball out of her hands will keep Purvis, who has seamlessly slipped in to a starter's role, rather busy.
"It's a tough ask, because she has been playing really well this season and is so athletic.
"One thing we have placed emphasis on is not allowingher into a position to hold off us, so expect to see a lot of movement in the circle.
"Erin Bell is a play-maker too, so it will be important to limit her feeds into Borrego."
In the five previous encounters, the fixture has always been won by the home team. Added to that, the Steel has not won an ANZ Championship match in Australia, in 11 appearances across the Tasman.
The odds would seemingly point to a comfortable win for the Thunderbirds.
The Steel won the last match between the two teams but there are only three survivors from that side - Sheryl Scanlan, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Hayley Saunders - and they are likely to start the game from the bench.
The key for the Steel will be the combination between shooters Jodi Brown and Donna Wilkins.
The vastly experienced duo carry the team's hopes most weeks.
If they can find their rhythm early and build some pressure on the Thunderbirds' defence, the visitors might be able to silence the crowd and give themselves a chance of upsetting the talented line-up.
