Change is a constant in life and the best guess is the Southern Steel is about to undergo a major overhaul.
The Invercargill-based team had a disappointing season with four wins from 13 matches. That leans itself towards a bit of tinkering anyway. But when you consider coach Robyn Broughton has been replaced at the helm, then there could be more than the odd tweak here and there.
Broughton proved a loyal boss.
She tended to stick with players who had produced for her in the past. While loyalty is admirable, it can also be binding and co-coaches Janine Southby and Natalie Avellino are sure to have fresh ideas when it comes to personnel.
But before the new regime can start signing new players they will have to clear some space, although some players may opt to move on, perhaps in protest over Broughton's departure, or for a multitude of other possible reasons - money being just one.
Leana de Bruin will attract her share of offers. She was an inspiration and, without her snaffling ball, the Steel's miserable season would have reached even murkier depths.
The South African-born goal keep should be at the top of the list of players to retain while shooter Daneka Wipiiti is the most likely high-profile player to be shown the door.
Wipiiti seemed to get worse with each match and her combination with goal attack Paula Griffin was dysfunctional.
Former Silver Fern shooter Jodi Brown shapes as the most likely replacement. She was called into the squad as cover and performed admirably during a brief stint.
It was obvious to those who watched the season unfold the Steel lacked an experienced goal attack. Brown fits the bill perfectly. She has a lovely pass, an accurate shot and the knack of getting into good positions.
She is also based in Dunedin and married to Southby's brother, so it is not too much of a stretch to imagine her suiting up for the Steel.
Liana Leota did not have a great year and could be a flight risk. Class wing attacks are in short supply and she may be ready for a change after four years with the franchise. Who knows what Australian centre Natasha Chokljat thought of her new digs in Invercargill - rumour is she was not terribly impressed.
Assuming one of them leaves, the Steel could do worse than former Otago midcourter Camilla Lees. Silver Fern Laura Langman seems content at the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and Northern Mystics centre Temepara George also appears well ensconced. But a quick phone call would not hurt.
Steel defender Sheryl Scanlan is a well-liked team-mate but the former Silver Fern has is past her use-by date, and there are better players than Erika Burgess without a contract.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit is a promising shooter and worth persisting with. But the Steel cannot afford to carry too many development players on the bench, so Sophia Fenwick should probably make room for a more experienced back-up goal attack.
Any changes will have to be rubber-stamped by the bean counters, of course. The salaries of players are a closely guarded secret but the minimum contract is $12,000 and there is a firm salary cap of $300,000.
Fitting 12 players under that cap is a challenge. If you divided the money equally everyone would get the princely sum of $25,000.
Each franchise is also allotted $50,000 to pay for performance bonuses but there is not a lot of wiggle room, especially once the top players have taken their cut.
Wipiiti was probably the highest-paid Steel player in 2011 - perhaps earning around $40,000 with de Bruin, Chokljat and Leota collecting cheques from $35,000 to $37,000. Wendy Frew, Griffin and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit might haved receive somewhere from $22,000 to $30,000 with Scanlan and Burgess scrapping around $20,000. Hayley Saunders, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Fenwick picked up minimum wage.
Steel salaries
In 2011 (estimated)
Daneka Wipiiti..................$40,000
Leana de Bruin.................$37,000
Liana Leota......................$36,000
Natasha Chokljat.............$35,000
Wendy Frew.....................$30,000
Paula Griffin......................$26,000
THR Selby-Rickit................$22,000
Sheryl Scanlan................. $20,000
Erika Burgess...................$18,000
Hayley Saunders..............$12,000
Te Paea Selby-Rickit.........$12,000
Sophia Fenwick................$12,000
Salary cap........................$300,000
