The combined Otago-Southland team slipped into the semifinals by a slender margin. After 14 weeks of netball the Steel is tied with the Queensland Firebirds on 16 points apiece but advances courtesy of a superior goal percentage.
While Broughton said her side had shown plenty of character after events threatened to undermine the campaign, thoughts were already turning to the semifinal encounter with the Thunderbirds in Adelaide on Monday.
"We're elated, of course, because we've had some ups and downs," Broughton said.
"We've had injuries and pregnancies and that has all been quite hard. But I think we've come out on top of it all. It has been quite character building actually, and I think everyone stepped up to the task.
"But it is back to training as normal. It's not really celebration time until this competition is finished. We're still in work mode."
The Steel will have to be at its best to topple the Thunderbirds, who demolished the Magic 54-35 on Sunday. Some imposing defence saw the incomparable Irene van Dyk miss shots she would normally pot blindfolded.
But Broughton was in no mood to concede too much ground ahead of the sudden-death semifinal. And when asked if she was impressed with the Thunderbirds' victory over the Magic, Broughton said the Magic had an off day and the margin was flattering for the Thunderbirds.
"We will be looking at what they did against the Magic, but I just think the Magic did not hit their straps, quite frankly.
"Perhaps we had a better game plan against them."
The Steel dispatched the Adelaide-based side 58-49 in Dunedin two weeks ago and will go into the match confident.
Steel and Silver Ferns defender Sheryl Scanlan remained a day-by-day prospect, Broughton said. The 31-year-old had been in good touch for the Steel before she strained her calf in round 10 against the West Coast Fever.
The good news is there are no fresh injuries.
