Lenize Potgieter will probably present as much of a challenge to her new Steel team-mates as she will her opponents.
The 24-year-old gun shooter demonstrated her value for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic last season with some terrific performances in the shooting circle.
The South African-born player was prolific, accurate and difficult to pin down. She is also a little unorthodox and lot different from the sort of shooters the Steel is familiar with.
Towering Jamaican goal shoot Jhaniele Fowler-Reid stuck close to the post during her five-year stint with the team.
The Steel feeders were extremely spoiled. They could fire off half-court bombs and she would pull them in, sometimes by the tips of her fingers.
Slotting the ball through the hoop was even easier. And when she did miss, she gobbled up the rebound most of the time.
Somehow, the Steel found a way to win without her last season. But in Jennifer O'Connell they had another tall shooter rarely spotted too far from the post.
Potgieter, who has transferred south from the Magic this season, will be a much more elusive target to read. She is 10cm shorter than Fowler-Reid and 5cm smaller than O'Connell.
She uses her pace and court craft to get into space and that means the feeders will suddenly have to adapt to a whole new style.
There is no Wendy Frew in the midcourt to help pull it all together, either. She has retired.
But Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders are experienced campaigners and it will be interesting to see how Kate Heffernan goes when she gets opportunities. Potgieter will have to adjust a little as well.
"I'm taking unorthodox as a compliment because it makes me different from all the other shooters,'' she said.
"The feeders are not used to a shooter like me. They are more used to a very tall player ... but I think we are getting to know each other better on and off the court, as well.''
The communication lines will have function just that much better until the players really get to know each other's ways.
"That is something I've learned since being here. Usually I just throw an eye at the feeders and then they know.
"That is how it has worked with all the other teams I've been with for a while. But in this team my gestures just have to be a bit bigger to show them where they can place the ball.
"And also when we have eye contact, then I know when I have to move out of the circle or when I have to stay. So it is about getting those verbal and non-verbal connections going and trying to read each other's body language.''
That is a lot harder than just throwing the ball up high and waiting for Fowler-Reid to pluck it out of the air.
If the Steel can get it right, it will make for more attractive netball. But Potgieter's arrival will also block opportunities for O'Connell, who flourished last season with 563 goals at 86%.
Potgieter is not eligible to play for New Zealand but O'Connell is. However, she is likely to be spending a lot of time on the bench.
That is shame from the Silver Ferns' perspective. The last thing the national team needs is for another promising shooter to be sitting out games.
The Steel opens its campaign against the Northern Stars in Hamilton tomorrow afternoon. It plays the Mainland Tactix in Christchurch on Tuesday and then heads to Auckland to play the Northern Mystics on Saturday.
It is a demanding opening week but a schedule which may actually help the Steel foster those desired connections, as the team chases a third consecutive title.
Southern Steel
At a glance
Coach: Reinga Bloxham
2018: Champion
Gains: Lenize Potgieter
Losses: Wendy Frew
Squad: Abby Erwood, Courtney Elliott, Gina Crampton, Jennifer O’Connell, Kate Heffernan, Kendall McMinn, Lenize Potgieter, Shannon Saunders, Te Huinga Selby-Rickit, Te Paea Selby- Rickit.
Outlook: They have a great midcourt, an under- rated defence and somehow found a way to win last year without towering shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid. Star shooter Lenize Potgieter comes into the team this year and strengthens the side’s prospects of a third consecutive title.
Draw
Tomorrow: v Stars, Hamilton
February 26: v Tactix, Christchurch
March 2: v Mystics, Auckland
March 11: v Magic, Invercargill
March 17: v Tactix, Invercargill
March 25: v Pulse, Wellington
March 31: v Magic, Auckland
April 10: v Pulse, Dunedin
April 14: v Stars, Auckland
April 24: v Mystics, Dunedin
May 1: v Magic, Hamilton
May 5: v Mystics, Invercargill
May 6: v Pulse, Invercargill
May 15: v Tactix, Christchurch
May 22: v Stars, Invercargill
ANZ Premiership
The contenders
Northern Mystics
Coach: Helene Wilson
2018: Fourth
Key players: Bailey Mes, Erena Mikaere
Outlook: No Maria Folau this year, so Australian Kristina Brice will have to fill her shoes. Good defence but look like a middle of the pack unit.
Northern Stars
Coach: Kiri Wills
2018: Last
Key players: Maia Wilson, Kayla Cullen.
Outlook: Couple of ultra veterans in the side in Temepara Bailey and Leana de Bruin. What does that say about the strength of netball in New Zealand?
Waikato-BoP Magic
Coach: Amigene Metcalfe
2018: Fifth
Key players: Kelly Jury, Casey Kopua
Outlook: Boast a strong defensive duo in Kopua and Jury. But the Magic look more capable than threatening. May tussle with the Stars for last place.
Central Pulse
Coach: Yvette McCaesland-Durie
2018: Beaten finalist
Key players: Katrina Rore, Aliyah Dunn
Outlook: Set the benchmark last year but pipped in the final by the Steel. Young shooters Aliyah Dunn and Tiana Metuarau combined well last season and will be more formidable this season. The Pulse have a solid defence and midcourt as well. Title contender for sure.
Mainland Tactix
Coach: Marianne Delaney-Hoshek
2018: Third
Key players: Jane Watson, Kate Beveridge.
Outlook: Big improver last year. But the loss of dynamic defender Temalisi Fakahokotau will hurt. And Ellie Bird and Beveridge will need to lift their shooting percentages for the Tactix to move from solid contender to potential champion.
