The Southern Steel goal attack has carried a heavy workload through a couple of tough seasons for the franchise, but this year things are looking up.
The Steel have two losses — the latest by one point against the Northern Mystics in Dunedin on Monday — and one win, but are playing some great netball.
That joy is evident from the beaming smile on Heffernan’s face, even after a loss.
"We’re absolutely loving this year," Heffernan said.
"We’re all really happy, and we’re all having a lot of fun in this environment, learning a lot.
"We just clicked straight away ... I think it’s showing on the court that we’re a really happy, connected team."
Heffernan was relishing the chance to play alongside Aliyah Dunn — "she can take such a huge load and she’s so supportive" — and the depth in their midcourt courtesy of Kimiora Poi.
Seeing Poi and Serina Daunakamakama take the reins when Heffernan’s sister, Kate, was ruled out with injury had been pleasing.
"It was great that they’ve stepped up when Kate went down," Heffernan said.
"Having Kimi’s been amazing. She’s just come in, and been such a leader, and we absolutely love having her down here."
Knowing others could carry the load through the middle helped take some of the pressure off Heffernan.
"Last year at times I got into help-out mode, and I was just trying to help everyone and I was sometimes making it worse.
"But I think now I can just focus on my role and just try to nail that.
"There’s been moments where I’m doing that in the first games, but it’s just consistency that I want to work towards."
Heffernan has always had a silky smooth shot from out wide, but that has been taken to another level with the introduction of the two-point shot.
"I’m stoked about how it’s bringing the long shot back into the game. It’s such a tactical game.
"I love it on our team because Summer [Temu], Aliyah and me, we can all take it — so it’s not just on me."
The Steel had a 55-54 loss to the Mystics in round three, a game that Heffernan was "absolutely gutted" to lose.
"We showed that we could’ve won that ... but we kind of did it to ourselves."
But she vowed the Steel would be keyed up for their first Invercargill home game against the Central Pulse tomorrow afternoon.
The Mystics had been a good test ahead of the Pulse, and there was plenty the Steel could improve on from Monday’s game, she said.
"At times we kind of lost trust in each other and that’s exactly what the Pulse will try do.
"They’ll try man-on defence ... and ride us for the whole 60 minutes.
"We have to be prepared for that, but know that we have to trust each other and just do our own jobs."
The Robyn Broughton Legacy Trophy will be on the line when the Steel meet the Pulse in tomorrow’s game.
ANZ Premiership
Tomorrow, Invercargill, 4pm
Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai’inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Khayne-Lii Munro-Nonoa.
Central Pulse: Amelia Walmsley, Amorangi Malesala, Tiana Metuarau, Gabi Simpson, Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, Ainsleyana Puleiata, Fa’amu Ioane, Parris Mason, Laura Balmer, Kelly Jackson.
