At last the Southern Steel's trans-Tasman netball league destiny is in their own hands, and coach Robyn Broughton couldn't be happier.
Despite impressive victories over the last two weeks -- 55-48 over defending champions New South Wales Swifts and an upset 58-49 trouncing of the Adelaide Thunderbirds -- the southerners had to wait until late last Monday night before their playoffs berth in the ANZ Championship was confirmed.
On equal points with the Queensland Firebirds, the Steel edged through on goal difference to earn another shot at the Thunderbirds in Adelaide tomorrow night.
It was reliant on a good showing from the West Coast Fever as they battled Firebirds in the very last match of round robin play in Perth on Monday.
Broughton admitted there was a fair bit of shouting at the television as the Firebirds struggled to beat the Fever 54-52 -- a close enough victory to protect the Steel's all-important statistical advantage in fourth place.
"It was tough, someone else was controlling our destiny," she told NZPA.
"Our fate was left in other people's hands." Now, she said, everything lies with the Steel, as they face up to a resurgent Thunderbirds team who rebounded from their lacklustre loss to the Steel with a 54-35 walloping of previous competition leaders Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic just seven days later.
Hopefully there's no more time for any of the unfortunate surprises that have dogged the Steel's season to date.
The southerners' run of injuries began pre-season, when Donna Wilkins broke a bone in her wrist, and has continued to the business end of the competition, as Silver Ferns defender Sheryl Scanlan struggles with a calf problem.
Steel captain Adine Wilson also had calf niggles earlier in the season, and an extra imponderable was thrown into the mix when in-form shooter Daneka Wipiiti announced her pregnancy last month.
The Steel were expected to sorely miss Wipiiti, who had been shooting consistently over 80 percent, but landed on their feet as replacement Megan Dehn slotted in seamlessly with Wilkins in the circle.
The vastly experienced Dehn, a former Australian representative, has added an extra dimension to the Steel attack.
As well as a steady eye for goal -- in three games she has averaged nearly 82% success -- Dehn's courtwork has opened up a whole new array of options for the Steel midcourt.
Centre Liana Barrett-Chase has been in outstanding form and her combination with Wilson has gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed, with the Steel shooters benefiting from a high-quality supply of ball.
However, it will be the efficiency of the Steel's full team defensive work which will be most important tomorrow.
The Thunderbirds game is at its most impressive when their midcourt is in full flight, and in last week's annihilation of the Magic, it was running on all cylinders.
Centre Natalie von Bertouch, wing attack Emily Beaton and the experienced Natalie Medhurst at goal attack were unstoppable, moving the ball at pace on attack and applying a stifling one-on-one defence when the Magic tried to move the ball through.
Wing defence Jo Sutton was particularly impressive, and Mo'onia Gerrard, who has had a somewhat erratic season, put together her best game at goal defence for some time.
Broughton said it was vital that the Steel concentrate on their own game, rather than get caught up in trying to match the pace of the Thunderbirds' attack.
"They are an experienced team, and we donbt want to play at their speed -- we can't play at their speed," Broughton said.
"We've got to play our own game." A concerted team effort is essential if the Steel want to repeat their victory over the Thunderbirds, Broughton said, and for that to happen, a huge amount of mental discipline is essential.
"Physically, they're the same as us -- we've got all the attributes they've got.
"Mentally, we've got to be tough. We've got to concentrate, be dogged, relentless, resourceful -- all those Southern qualities."
