If that is true, then Clarke has her queen in place with the announcement star shooter Jhaniele Fowler will return to the Southern Steel on a two-year contract.
It is a major coup for the franchise. Fowler has had a tremendous impact in her debut season, breaking several competition records.
How much it cost to secure that signature remained ''commercially sensitive''. Clarke said.
However, what we do know is each franchise's salary bill must not exceed $380,000.
Fitting 12 to 14 players under that cap is a huge challenge with which Clarke will be grappling over the coming months.
''They are interesting times, I'll be honest. There is no extra money and that is what it is.
''I liken it to a game of chess. I actually think we've won big time already,'' she said, referring to Fowler's decision to return.
But not everyone is going to win. The Steel contracted 14 players this season and Clarke accepts that number is likely to drop to 12.
The minimum player payment is $15,000, although development contracts can be worth a little less. Either way, there is money to be saved by cutting two players.
It does not send a great message to the likes of development players Stacey Peeters and Kate Shearer. But, if the Steel wants to field a competitive unit capable of reaching the playoffs, those are the sorts of tough decisions which have to be made.
''We're probably not looking to [contract 14 players again],'' Clarke said.
''You take 11 players with you and leave three players behind every time you play away. Are we getting benefit from doing that, is the question we'll be asking.''
Ideally, a team does not want to pay too much for a handful of players because it reduces the funds available for everybody else. That is where the strategy comes into play. But Clarke said there were other considerations for players other than money.
''For women in sport, it is not all about money. They actually want to feel safe and secure where they are and, in the case of Jhaniele, she knows she is going to be looked after.
''That was something which was as important as how much we are going to pay.''
Third-party payments are allowed and are over and above the salary cap, so there is some scope to lift a player's wage significantly. However, those payments have to be linked to real job opportunities.
''They are getting tougher on it, so, when you send the contract through for approval, you have to send the third-party agreement with it, as well.''
Fowler's agreement includes a third-party deal, and Clarke confirmed the Jamaican international would have a role within Netball South other than shooting goals for the Steel.
She declined to go into further details, but players with third-party arrangements tend to end up working in a development or promotional role.
Clarke feels the Steel will be well placed to push for the playoffs next season if it can retain the core of its side. But a quality defender is on the wish list.
''We've been thinking about what we need,'' Clarke said, adding signing the core group was the priority.
''Then we'll look at who we can target with what we've got left. A tall defender would be helpful ... We're lacking a bit of height at that end.
''But we'll have to see where we end up once we've talked to our own squad.''
How the Steel rated in 2013
Netball writer Adrian Seconi wraps up the Southern Steel season.-
Record
Played 13, won 6, lost 7
Goals scored: 812
Goals conceded: 790
L Firebirds 68-59
W Tactix 75-56
L Thunderbirds 60-54
L Pulse 59-56
W Mystics 67-52
W Swifts 60-55
W Mystics 73-63
W Magic 65-58
L Vixens 58-52
L Magic 58-52
W Tactix 79-62
L Fever 68-56
L Pulse 73-64
Shooting
Jhaniele Fowler 666 from 709 (93.9%)Jodi Brown 138 from 169 (81.7%)Te Paea Selby-Rickit 8 from 12 (66.7%)
Seconi's awards
Player of the season: Jamaican international Jhaniele Fowler had a superb debut season, averaging 51.23 goals a game.
Honourable mentions: Hard-working centre Phillipa Finch and solid defender Rachel Rasmussen never had a bad game.
Best performance: The 65-58 win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic.
Worst performance: The 73-64 loss to the Central Pulse in Invercargill.
Questions for 2014
Can anyone recommend a tall defender who would been keen to shift south next season?
The Steel's midcourt was solid but is it perhaps lacking some X-factor?
Is it too early to sign up Jhaniele Fowler's 3-year-old daughter Drehannah?
