Among their ranks this year is former central midfielder Gabriel Rawcliffe and he knows a thing or two about biochemistry.
The 27-year-old is in the first year of a PhD. He is looking at the evolution of proteins and not the sort which come medium rare and served with chips.
Next question. Is he as scientific on the field as he is off it?''I don't think so. I sort of chop and change, depending on the team and what they need,'' he said.
''I end up floating around all over the show. I think for Southern I'll mostly play striker. But in previous years I've played in the midfield.''
Rawcliffe was born in Napier but moved to Dunedin to further his studies about three years ago.
He skipped the National Hockey League last season but has returned and will make his debut for Southern in its season opener against Canterbury in Christchurch today.
The Dogs have been one of the form teams during the past three years. They made the 2012 and 2013 finals and last year were knocked out in the semifinal by Auckland, which will press for an unprecedented fifth consecutive title this season.
Southern has lost some defensive clout with the retirement of James Nation and goalie Hamish McGregor has moved on. But the Dogs have more punch up front and arguably more depth than in the recent past.
''I'm definitely looking forward to playing for the Dogs. I coached the under-21 team this year and all my family is from down here originally,'' Rawcliffe said.
He is looking forward to having an extended period up front.
''When I was younger, I always fancied myself as a striker. It will be a bit of a change from what I've been doing.''
Black Sticks striker Hugo Inglis will be expected to bang in the odd goal or two, as well, while fellow Black Stick Blair Tarrant is a key player in the defence.
Irish international Kirk Shimmins is returning for another stint with Southern but will not be available for the first two fixtures,National development squad members Kane Russell and Nick Ross are very talented and should have an impact, as well.
''We have a good enough group and we believe on our day we can beat anyone,'' Dogs coach Dave Ross said.
That said, Ross acknowledge the loss of Nation and McGregor would be sorely felt.
''That just leaves me a little bit nervous. We are going to have to score a few goals to do any good, especially given the quality of the opposition.''
Perhaps the biggest issue facing the Dogs is the team has been split between Auckland and Dunedin. Rawcliffe only got to meet some of his new team-mates last night.
''The hockey community is pretty small and most of the guys have played with each other before,'' he said while acknowledging Canterbury, which went to Australia for its pre-season, was better prepared.
''They've had a good build up but a few of us went up to Timaru for a practice game and I definitely think they are beatable.''
Southern Dogs draw
August 29: v Canterbury, Christchurch
September 6: v North Harbour, Dunedin
September 12: v Capital, Whangarei
September 13: v Northland, Whangarei
September 14: v Midlands, Whangarei
September 16: v Central, Whangarei
September 17: v Auckland, Whangarei
September 19: Semifinals, Whangarei
September 20: Finals, Whangarei
Squad: Blair Tarrant, Callum Bailey, Gabriel Rawcliffe, Hugo Inglis, James Bishop, Jonny Thorn, Josh Smith, Kane Russell, Kieran O'Connor, Lachie Davidson, Nick Ross, Sebastian Buddle, Kirk Shimmins, Hugh Hendrickson, Jeremy Morris, Tom Lysaght, Ben Radovonich, Ari Barrow.
