Steel vice-captain Wendy Frew has a score to settle.
The last time the Steel played the Northern Mystics Frew's opponent, Temepara George, left her groping in her wake.
The classy centre took control of the midcourt and set the tempo with an equal measure of feistiness and finesse.
The Mystics out-enthused the Steel, winning 52-49 in Invercargill.
A repeat of that performance in Auckland tonight will probably spell the end of the Steel's play-off prospects.
The Steel could still scrape into the top four if other results go its way, but the Mystics do not have that luxury.
They need to win to have any chance of making the semifinals.
That threat will undoubtedly bring the best out of the likes of George and experienced wing attack Jenny-May Coffin.
The midcourt is an area of real strength for the Auckland-based team and the battle between the ends promises to be a highlight.
But Frew and wing attack Liana Barrett-Chase have a point to prove.
Barrett-Chase has consistently been one of the best Steel players this season and Frew has grown in stature during the past month.
And with former Silver Ferns shooter Daneka Wipiiti recapturing her form and the defence operating smoothly, the Steel appears to be a different beast from the outfit which lost by three goals in round eight.
"We're certainly a different side from then," Frew said.
"I think our shooters are shooting a lot better and they are just putting the ball up.
I think through the midcourt we've definitely improved and obviously the combos are better.
"It is certainly pretty exciting knowing that we lost to them by three but didn't bring our best game.
We certainly know we can do better than that."
Casting her mind back, Frew acknowledged she was probably outplayed.
"Temepara had a great game against me and their shooters only missed four shots in that game.
But I think they were a bit more hungry for the ball when we played them and we just let ourselves down with silly errors and throwing diagonal passes.
You can't afford to do that at this level.
"We know where we went wrong and we've been working on a good game plan."
"It really is make or break for our team," she added.
"If we don't win this it is really going to make it a lot harder heading into [our last] game."
Frew proved tight-lipped when asked about the game plan but it is hard to see the Steel shifting too far from what worked against the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and the defending champion, the Melbourne Vixens.
The Steel will play with patience, moving the ball around until an opening is clear.
Aside from the odd Barrett-Chase flourish, there are unlikely to be flashes of dash.
The Steel put up enough shots to win the round eight game but some poor finishing proved costly.
Both Wipiiti and the captain Megan have lifted their game since so expect greater accuracy.
The Mystics shooting combination of Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia should get a good supply of ball with George and Coffin adept at feeding the circle.
Even Joline Henry can be useful, firing in passes from wing defence.
But it is down the other end they may struggle.
Goal keep Althea Byfield is athletic and remains a danger.
But she is a lone ranger with the Mystics lacking depth at the back.
The Magic beat the Central Pulse 58-52 in Napier on Saturday to consolidate their top four spot while the New South Wales Swifts won a record 12th consecutive game, beating the slumping Melbourne Vixens 58-46.
