Wing defence Wendy Frew has been to Perth with the Steel twice and the return trip has always been a moody experience.
It is hard to get comfortable in the cramped quarters of a plane anyway, but the nine-hour flight home is way too long to spend dwelling on another loss.
The perfect solution would be for the Steel to win tonight's match with the Fever, Frew said.
Of course, that is not the only motivation. The Steel is still in the race for a spot in the playoffs and cannot afford a loss to the Fever.
''It is a long day travelling but you've just got to do all the little bits and pieces to get ready for it,'' Frew said.
''We wear recovery skins and make sure we hydrate well and eat well. You can only control the little things like that.''
From leaving home in Invercargill to arriving at the accommodation in Perth, it takes about 16 hours.
The Steel travelled on Saturday, so had all of yesterday to acclimatise and get on Perth time.
''Having come back from Perth twice after we've lost, it certainly makes for a long trip home and a pretty depressing trip. Hopefully, we can get on that plane as winners.''
The Steel has a dismal record in Australia. It has played 15 ANZ Championship games across the Tasman and has lost them all.
The Steel came close to registering a breakthrough win against the Fever in 2011. The game was in the balance until the last few moments, when the home side pulled away to win 50-47.
''It was a tight game and I remember it really well,'' Frew said.
''It was goal for goal and it was only in the last minute that they won the game when they got up by three.''
Adjusting to the way the game is officiated is another challenge. Teams on both sides of the great divide complain about the inconsistent way the rules are interpreted.
''The good thing for us is we have had two games in Aussie already this season and can't have any excuses that we are not prepared or know what to expect.''
The teams go into the match in vastly different form. The Fever suffered a 25-goal loss to the Firebirds - its worst home court defeat. The Steel, meanwhile, posted its highest score in a 79-62 rout of the Tactix.
Steel shooter Jhaniele Fowler equalled the competition's record she set earlier in the season for most goals in a game by an individual.
Her 65 goals lifted her season tally to 561. She needs just 14 goals to break the all time season record of 574 goals, set by fellow Jamaican Carla Borrego in 2010.
Fowler has been outstanding for the Steel, but Steel captain Jodi Brown has been instrumental in getting the ball to her. The key for the Fever will be to put some pressure on that combination.
Fever shooter Caitlin Bassett is also very accomplished and defender Eboni Beckford-Chambers is athletic.
''They would have been looking at their game a lot more after that loss than if they had won,'' Frew said.
''I think they've got a strong team and a really good bench. A lot of them are playing for their spots next year, so they well have a lot to prove. It is certainly going to be a tough 60 minutes out there.''
ANZ Championship
Steel v Fever
Where: Challenge Stadium, Perth.
When: Tonight, 9.40pm (NZ time).
Record: Played 5, Steel 2, Fever 3.
