Northern Mystics: Temepara George
It's been a couple years since Temepara George took the court for the Silver Ferns, but the feisty midcourter will be a pivotal part of new Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan's plans to better the franchise's seventh placing last year. George, part of the 2003 world championship-winning New Zealand team, racked up 59 caps for the Silver Ferns in a six-year career beginning in 2000. An astute tactician, and frighteningly fit at nearly 34, George at her best will prove a real handful for both Australian and New Zealand franchises.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic: Laura Langman
One of New Zealand's most versatile netball players, Langman seems to have been around forever, but has not yet turned 23. Originally a wing defence, she has almost six years' experience in the Silver Ferns. Her move up the midcourt has opened a new aspect to her game in the last two years, with her work on defence almost as valuable as her rapidly developing feeding skills. Langman has speed, vision, elevation and impeccable timing, and will play a huge part as the Magic look to improve on last year's second place.
Central Pulse: Paula Griffin
Despite her credentials as a Silver Fern since 2006, Griffin didn't figure prominently in last year's trans-Tasman league. She was Northern Mystics 2008 coach Yvonne Willering's third-ranked shooter behind Catherine Latu and Jade Topia, taking the court in only seven games for a success rate of 76.1 percent. Sure to be given a far heavier work-load for the Pulse, the 20-year-old will be keen to prove herself against Australia's best as she pushes her claim for more court time with the Silver Ferns. If she can get enough quality ball, Griffin could help propel the Pulse to their first win in two seasons of the competition.
Canterbury Tactix: Jodi Brown.
Brown took the court in just five games last year for the Tactix but is sure to feature prominently this season as she returns from the birth of her first child. Her early-season 2008 shooting statistics were impressive -- with an 87.7 percent success rate, she finished fourth overall behind Irene van Dyk (Magic), Natalie Medhurst (Thunderbirds) and Romelda Aiken (Firebirds). Brown, who first played for the Silver Ferns in 2003, contested the world championships in 2007 before taking time out from top-level netball and has the experience and accuracy the Tactix need to boost their eighth placing from last year.
Southern Steel: Sheryl Scanlan
Scanlan's shift south from the Mystics will provide real steel at the defensive end of the court for the southern team. She has been playing international netball since 2000, and despite a three-year gap to start a family, has racked up 60 caps for the Silver Ferns. Not overly tall at 1.78m, Scanlan compensates with fast hands and feet, impressive anticipation and excellent driving play working the ball through the court on attack. Comfortable and equally disruptive at either goal defence or wing defence, Scanlan is sure be a factor as the Steel look to improve on last year's sixth placing.
