With Sheryl Scanlan's broad smile and bubbly, non-confrontational personality it is hard to imagine the defender conjuring enough anger to rip the ball from her opponent's hands.
The 31-year-old Silver Fern and new Southern Steel signing has got the reputation of one of the nicer players around the netball scene.
But the "born and bred Westie" did not amass 60 caps for New Zealand by taking a backwards step and wants to rediscover the sort of form which helped her reach the top.
"I've just felt in the last couple of seasons I've been a bit quiet," Scanlan explained.
"That's part of the reason why we shifted down here [Invercargill].
"I just really want to get more ball on defence. I think it is something I've lost in my game and that's my job as a goal defence-wing defence, to get the ball."
The former Mystics player and her family, husband Malcolm and son Jafeth, have made a permanent move to Invercargill and are enjoying the change of pace.
"I'm at the stage in my career where I needed a change, not just with my netball but also my lifestyle as well.
"And we just felt it was the right time for us to make the move."
Scanlan grew up in a sporty family - her brother, Eroni Clarke, played 10 tests for the All Blacks and her father, Iafeta Clarke, played rugby for Samoa in late '60s. But once she started making representative netball sides at high school, the rest of her interests took a back seat.
Scanlan played for Samoa at the 1999 world championships in Christchurch and then made her debut for New Zealand the following year.
While she is a classy, experienced defender, her place in the Steel's starting seven is far from certain.
Scanlan is one of six Silver Ferns in the squad and competition for places in the defence end is particularly tough with Katrina Grant, Erika Burgess and Megan Hutton all worthy starters.
"It's going to keep us all honest and we push each other out there on court.
"No-one has the right to say they've got that position - you have to fight for it, and I think that is fantastic for the game."
he Steel was busy recruiting during the off-season and, with former Silver Ferns Donna Wilkins and Adine Wilson joining the campaign, there is a genuine belief in the South this team can make the play-offs.
The pair were an exhilarating combination for the Sting and give the Steel a much more rounded and experienced look.
Wilkins broke her wrist during the February pre-season tournament in Queenstown but has made a speedy recovery and will take her place in the squad for the campaign-opening match against the Central Pulse in Invercargill today.
How much court time she gets is up to coach Robyn Broughton, but she is likely to be nursed through what should be a relatively simple assignment for the Steel.
If Wilkins does warm the bench, Silver Fern shooter Daneka Wipiiti will shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility with back-up shooters Julianna Naoupu and new signing Leah Shoard.
The Steel has lost the services of evergreen midcourter Jenny-May Coffin but is well served in the centre court with Wilson, Liana Barrett-Chase and Wendy Telfer.
The Steel made a poor start last season but finished the inaugural tournament well.
No New Zealand team was able to win in Australia and Scanlan believes winning across the Tasman will be crucial for the Steel's play-off hopes.
''We've got a great game plan and great coach, but we've just got to really execute and do our jobs well.
"You can't afford to wait until halfway through the season to hit your straps.
"We've got to start well and then we can build our confidence."
Of the New Zealand teams, the Magic appears to be the strongest.
Last year's beaten finalist has retained the bulk of its talent-laden side while adding experienced midcourter Frances Solia and Silver Ferns defender Leana de Bruin.
With a shooting circle featuring Silver Ferns duo Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia, the Waikato-Bay of Plenty team shapes as one of the favourites along with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
Laura von Bertouch returns from retirement to join sister Natalie in the Adelaide midcourt and, in Natalie Medhurst, the Thunderbirds have one of the best shooters in the league.
Adelaide's all-star cast extends to the defence with the formidable pairing of Geva Mentor and Mo'onia Gerrard.
The New South Wales Swifts are the defending champions and look solid again this season.
Classy midcourter Selina Gilsenan has retired and her absence will be felt.
Experienced shooter Catherine Cox was the competition's second-leading goal-scorer and will be supported by Susan Pratley in the circle with Rebecca Bulley leading the defence.
Melbourne has added England defender Ama Agbeze to bolster its defence and complement a sharp attacking end including Sharelle McMahon and Caitlin Thwaites.
The Queensland Firebirds have added former Australian and Otago Rebels defender Demelza McCloud (nee Fellowes), and will be dangerous with Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken set to inherit van Dyk's mantle as the world's best shooter.
The West Coast Fever, Northern Mystics, Canterbury Tactix and Central Pulse sides do not stack up well by comparison.
Former Silver Ferns Jodi Brown and Temepara George will be the key for the Tactix and the Mystics respectively, and the Perth-based Fever has to overcome a horrendous travel schedule to prosper.
The Pulse is essentially a development team which looks to have one hand on the wooden spoon.
• Southern Steel
The draw
April 4: v Pulse, Invercargill
April 11: v Magic, Tauranga
April 19: v Tactix, Dunedin
April 25: v Vixens, Melbourne
May 11: v Mystics, Auckland
May 16: v Tactix, Christchurch
May 25: v Magic, Invercargill
May 30: v Pulse, Wellington
June 8: v Fever, Perth
June 15: v Mystics, Invercargill
June 22: v Firebirds, Brisbane
June 29: v Thunderbirds, Dunedin
July 4: v Swifts, InvercargillJuly
11 and 13: SemifinalsJuly
19 or 20: Preliminary final
July 26 or 27: Grand final
