Avellino began her day with a 7am phone call to fellow co-coach Janine Southby to discuss next year's playing roster.
There is no time to waste with the player transfer window now open. The Steel has until October 1 to approach players and get a squad together for the 2012 season.
While many of the Silver Ferns are expected to put off making a decision until after the world championships in July, the Steel will want to make as much progress as possible. That means making sure the co-coaches are in agreement on who to keep and who to chase.
"We've already had a chat this morning about where we want to go with players," Avellino said.
"Janine and I have been bouncing different ideas off each other and are on the same page. So that is a really good start because, at this point in time, it is about recruiting players that we want to work with."
Ironing out any disagreements should not be an issue, Avellino said. There is a "sound resolution process" in place should the pair not see eye-to-eye.
"Not everyone is always going to agree. I've been in situations like that before and it is just a matter of communicating how you feel, getting things out on the table and finding a solution.
I'm sure we'll work our way through any debate."
Obviously, Avellino would not discuss which players might be for the chop and who the franchise might seek to target, but she acknowledged the attack end had not performed well and some changes in that area were likely.
"It was obvious to everybody that it wasn't their strength. But, in saying that, there was still some positives. We'll need to weigh that up but it is certainly an area that has been acknowledged and something that we are looking to rectify for next year."
The combination between Paula Griffin and Daneka Wipiiti was a failure and it would not be a surprise if one of those players was shown the door.
Wipiiti is possibly the highest paid player in the franchise and casting her adrift would free up a significant portion of the funds available.
With a firm salary cap of $300,000, there is not a lot of wiggle room. However, asked if there would be a lot of new faces at the franchise next year, Avellino said it was "hard to say".
"We're working on hopefully getting the core group and then working around that group and who will fit into what we are wanting to achieve."
Meanwhile, the television commentator was both excited and daunted at making the step up. She led Southland to its first national championship title in 49 years as a player-coach in 2008 and guided the province to second the following year.
"Being in it day in and day out, jeepers, it is going to be testing.
But if you don't take your opportunities when they come you may never get them again. I'm really looking forward to it."
A sports co-ordinator at Southland Girls' High School, Avellino described her coaching style as "holistic' but that did not mean she was a soft touch.
"I want to make sure there is that mutual respect between the coach and the players. If you have that great understanding and respect then the players are going to want to do it for you out on the court.
"I set high standards for my teams and hopefully that will work for me and the team."
Avellino will make a decision about whether she continues in her role at Southland Girls' at the end of the year but suggested it might be too demanding to do both.
"At the end of the day I want to, and need to, give everything to the Steel job."
