There has been a new winner every year for the five years the ANZ Championship has been running. Will there be a sixth, and what is the chance it will be the Southern Steel? Coach Janine Southby did not dismiss that as a fairy tale when she spoke to netball writer Adrian Seconi.
Before you choke on your cornflakes, Southern Steel coach Janine Southby is at pains to stress her side has a daunting challenge ahead.
The reality is the Steel finished ninth last year and narrowly avoided the wooden spoon courtesy of goal percentage.
With just two wins from 13 games, the team has a much room for improvement. Understandably, Southby and company have set a manageable goal of finishing in the top six of the competition.
That would represent a colossal achievement, given how far off the pace the Steel was last season. But in a game where matches are often won or lost by just a few goals, the Steel has improved its chances of returning to the winner's circle more often with the clever recruitment of Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler.
The 1.98m 23-year-old is the tallest player in the competition. With one stride, she can close the gap between herself and the net to point blank range. From there it is just a matter of popping the ball in. Actually, at that height, you half expect her just to put it in.
Doing most of the feeding will be experienced goal attack Jodi Brown and promising wing attack Courtney Tairi, so there should not be too many concerns with the supply lines.
The trio showed good signs during the pre-season and the warm-up game against the NZNPA Legends in Dunedin last Saturday, Southby said.
''The defence was not as tough as we can expect in the ANZ Championship but during the pre-season games in Melbourne there was some moments of brilliance from that attacking end,'' she said.
With experienced midcourters Phillipa Finch and Wendy Frew and fringe Silver Fern Shannon Francois battling for court time, it is an area where the Steel can hope for at least parity with the best teams.
''I think it is an area of strength for us. They all offer something a little different as well.''
Where the Steel may struggle is at the defensive end. Last season, the Steel let in an average of 56 goals. You are not going to win many games at this level with leaky defence like that.
The departure of Demelza McCloud has not helped. She signed with the Queensland Firebirds after the Steel dithered before eventually getting back to her with an offer that came too late.
McCloud has been replaced by one-time Silver Fern Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick. Rachel Rasmussen has also joined the Steel.
Storm Purvis impressed last year but is still honing her craft and rookie Phoenix Karaka is just 19 and very raw.
Southby is aware teams will target the Steel's defence but backs her unit to generate enough turnover ball for the franchise to be competitive.
''I think we can and it is something we've been working on. Rachel is an extremely intelligent defensive player and probably underestimated a little bit. I know she feels like she has had a new lease on life moving south and is really working hard with those other younger defenders.
''They all have great capabilities, they just don't have the experience. For them, it is just making sure they learn really quickly and we are providing them with the support they need so they are able to do that.''
As for whether the Steel can finish in the top six or even slip into the playoffs, Southby was cautiously optimistic.
''The reality for us is it is a really tough competition. We have to have a target and something we're aiming for, but the biggest thing for us is nailing our game plan.
''If we can execute what we practise, we'll be fine.''
