Telfer (24), a centre wing defender, will play a key role for the Steel against the unbeaten Vixens in Melbourne tonight.
Telfer has represented New Zealand in three sports - netball, softball and touch - and understands it is not productive to keep her mind on the game all the time.
Last year she built a house with fiance Trent Frew, an Invercargill fireman, and this year is preparing for her New Year's Eve wedding.
"In my spare time I also like to catch up with family and friends," she said.
Netball is a semi-professional sport and Telfer supplements her income as a development officer for Netball Southland.
But when she steps on to the court, Telfer knows she must switch to competitive mode and be ready to play at the top level from the first whistle.
Telfer won four national titles during her six seasons with the successful Sting franchise in the National Bank Cup and knows what is needed to perform in top-level sport.
In softball, Telfer competed at the junior world championships in 2004 and was a member of the senior White Sox in China.
With the ANZ Championship putting greater demands on players, playing both sports at international level has become untenable and she now confines her softball involvement to a few club games.
It will not be an easy game in Melbourne because the Vixens are unbeaten after three games and share the championship lead with the Magic.
The Steel is second equal with one loss.
The Vixens have beaten the West Coast Fever 57-44, the Queensland Firebirds 54-51, and the Adelaide Thunderbirds 49-43.
They have Australian great Sharelle McMahon in their ranks at goal attack, Caitlin Thwaites as goal shooter and Bianca Chatfield as goal keep.
Thwaites has netted 28 goals from 35 attempts this winter for an 80% success rat,e and McMahon 21 goals from 28 shots for a 75% success rate.
"I'm confident we can beat them," Telfer said.
"But we will have our work cut out and will need to play to our full potential. We can't play poorly and expect to beat the Vixens."
Coach Robyn Broughton had analysed the Vixens' play and developed a game plan, Telfer said.
"Robin is very technical and professional and has helped me to develop my whole game," she said.
Broughton recognised Telfer's potential when she taught her at Verdon College in Invercargill and picked her in the Sting squad in her final year at school.
"She concentrates on the basics and has expanded my play and developed me into a professional netballer," Telfer said.
Telfer has played for New Zealand under-21, is a member of the extended Silver Ferns squad and is ready for a major breakthrough in the sport.
She enjoys local fame in Invercargill.
"We have so many supporters at home and they all say hello when they meet me in the supermarket or on the street. It is nice to be recognised," Telfer said.
The Southern Steel also gets a strong backing from Mayor Tim Shadbolt.
"Tim is a lovely bloke and always comes to our games wearing a Steel scarf and jacket," she said.
In Melbourne she will be able to catch up with her twin sister, Debbie, who lives there.
