While it is probably tempting to stick with the tried and true, the Steel knows it will have to vary its game plan in the sudden-death ANZ Championship play-off match against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide tonight.
The combined Otago-Southland side outplayed the Thunderbirds 58-49 in Dunedin last month through some stifling defence in the midcourt.
But what worked three weeks ago was unlikely to work again, Steel skipper Adine Wilson said.
"For us to beat them this time we will need to improve because I think they would have improved," Wilson said.
"They would have learned from that game what did work for them and what didn't work for them. They would have looked at the video and done their analysis and homework. So I don't think we can go out there and put in the same performance and win again.
"They've also got a lot of confidence from having such a good win against the Magic last week."
The Thunderbirds destroyed the Magic 54-35 in impressive fashion in Adelaide and, like the Steel, seem to be in top form at the right time of the season.
The Australian team has a terrific record, winning 86% of its home games, and will go in to the match as the favourite.
The Steel is yet to taste victory across the Tasman but got close in its last foray on Australian soil, losing 52-50 to the Firebirds in Brisbane.
New Zealand teams have struggled to adjust to the Australian style of netball and have also been hindered by the different rule interpretations from the umpires.
But the play-offs will be played with one Australian and one New Zealand umpire, which should even the odds.
"Everyone is in the same boat now so you can't blame the umpiring," Wilson said.
It is a change which should help the players get over the psychological hurdle of winning in Australia.
Also, the Steel's last three matches have all been against Australian sides.
"We don't just want to make up the numbers in the top four. We want to compete and take the next step up and play next week," Wilson said.
"So we just have to make sure we are ready for everything and expect everything to be thrown at us. We have to be really prepared to fight for the ball. It is so essential to get the loose ball because it can win games for you."
At the start of the season the Steel was billed as a potential semifinalist but the team has had to overcome setbacks that have threatened to derail its campaign.
Donna Wilkins broke a bone in her wrist during a pre-season tournament, Megan Hutton's Achilles injury sidelined her for the early part of the competition, Silver Ferns defender Sheryl Scanlan has not played since injuring her calf in round 10, and Wilson has also had a calf niggle.
Perhaps the biggest blow came when in-form shooter Daneka Wipiiti pulled out after announcing her pregnancy last month.
Despite the run of injuries, and Wipiiti's unavailability, the Steel has somehow managed to improve each week and is playing good netball.
"It would have been nice if we hadn't had all those injuries, but it is just part of professional sport and part of a competition like this," Wilson said.
"I definitely feel like the momentum is really good for us at the moment and feel like each week we seemed to get more momentum. I feel like we are starting to hit our straps."
The Thunderbirds have a formidable defensive combination of England international Geva Mentor and the athletic Mo'onia Gerrard.
Mentor is one of the leading rebounders in the competition and also has a knack of deflecting the ball, while Gerrard makes a habit of picking up intercepts.
Experienced midcourter Natalie von Bertouch is a threat with her speed and ability to link with her shooters, and Natalie Medhurst is a classy and accurate goal attack.
