Absolutely, according to former captain and Silver Fern Adine Wilson.
Wilson, who played for the Steel in 2008 and was captain in 2009, said the southern side would face some stiff challenges in the finals series but was primed to win its first title if it could retain home advantage.
A win over the Magic in the New Zealand conference final in Invercargill on Sunday would ensure that was the case if the side was to reach the semifinal or final.
"I definitely think they can go the whole way,'' Wilson, now a Sky TV commentator, said yesterday.
"The Magic will be a great challenge for the Steel now they've got all their players back on deck [after injuries].
"But I also see just that having home advantage gets them a couple of goals due to the crowd and the atmosphere down there.''
The winner of Sunday's match will play the loser of the Australian conference final between the Firebirds and Swifts in one semifinal next weekend.
The loser will play the winner of that match across the Tasman.
The Steel made the semifinals of the competition under Wilson's captaincy in 2009 but this has been by far its most successful season.
It has won 11 matches, easily eclipsing its previous record of eight achieved in 2009 and 2010, and became just the third side to go through the regular season unbeaten.
Wilson said there were two main reasons the Steel had done so well this year following a disappointing 2015.
It had better seasons in 2013 and 2014 but lost a series of close matches last year and won only three games.
"They've had a number of young players that have been together for a number of years now and a lot of things are starting to come together and click.
"You look at Gina Crampton, for example. She has got a lot more games behind her now and she's really grown with that experience.
"And you've also got [coach] Noeline Taurua, who's come in with a brand new look on things and just brought a whole new perspective and excitement.
"That's not to say anything was being done wrong previously but sometimes you just need that extra spark.
"That combination of things has lifted them to a whole new level.
"They've just been that much better than all the other New Zealand teams this year.''
Wilson was not coached by Taurua during her playing days said but those who have been have sung her praises.
"Talking to some of the girls, she's got that holistic nature as well.‘‘She cares about the person, not just the player, and I think that's probably had an influence on a number of the girls down there.''
Although an impartial commentator these days, Wilson had taken great pleasure in seeing some of her old team-mates enjoy such success.
"I think it's awesome. You look at the likes of Wendy Frew. I remember playing with her way back in the [Southland] Sting days. She is just an inspiration for her side.
"She's had two children and she's still playing some of her best netball ever.
"It would be amazing if the Steel could pull it off and go through unbeaten because she's the type of person that deserves that type of record.''
