With less than two weeks until ANZ Championship franchises can approach players from outside their 2015 roster, the clock is ticking for the Southern Steel to re-sign players to join shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and captain Wendy Frew for next year. While Netball South chief executive Lana Winders is busy negotiating contracts, netball writer Robert van Royen came up with a wish list.
Top priority to re-sign
Defender Phoenix Karaka is a rising star of New Zealand netball. The 1.86m defender started all 14 games for the Steel this season, finishing fifth in the league in intercepts (26), while also adding 36 pass deflections. She has made 32 appearances for the Steel in her three years with the side, but made no secret of missing home (Auckland) during the year. Rumours have been circulating that the Northern Mystics are interested in her, meaning signing Karaka on by the end of next week is key.
Midcourter Shannon Francois is the third-most-capped (51) player in Steel history. The side's vice-captain shifted from wing attack to centre in the past season, forming a handy combination with Frew and Gina Crampton in the midcourt. The Motueka-born pharmacist will be the first to admit she has not mastered playing at centre, but she will only get better.
Next in line
Shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit had not started a single ANZ Championship game before the season, but started all 14 at goal attack alongside Fowler-Reid. Despite being relatively new to the position, Selby-Rickit shot 185/235 (78.72%), and finished second in the league in assists (192). While Fowler-Reid is a monster of a target in the circle, Selby-Rickit showed she has a nice touch on her pass. Fowler-Reid inked a new two-year deal a couple of weeks ago. If her partner in crime does the same, the Steel will be better off for it.
Defender Storm Purvis formed a handy combination with Karaka at the defensive end, before an ankle injury hindered her in the later part of the season. Purvis has made 42 appearances for the Steel since 2011 and, at 22, has plenty of netball ahead of her. She is coming off her best season with the team, but was not overly missed when Jane Watson filled in for her down the stretch.
Midcourter Gina Crampton is another player who had not started a game before the season but went on to start all 14. Crampton was sharp at wing attack, providing good service to her shooters and making herself available at the centre pass. She appears to have a bright future and her name cannot be too far from the top of Winders' wish list.
Would be welcomed back
Defender Jane Watson made 10 appearances for the Steel - two starts and eight off the bench - in her first year with the team. Filled in for the injured Purvis down the stretch and made a bunch of big defensive plays.
Shooter Brooke Leaver got some decent minutes off the bench in the later part of the season. While she only shot 21/29 (72.41%), she appears to be a player with unlocked potential.
Midcourter Stacey Peeters' play was described as ''bulldog-like'' by team-mate Katarina Cooper earlier in the season. She is a fiercely competitive player who can cover centre and wing defence. She only made six appearances this year, but it would be a surprise not to see her back for a third year.
Last in line
Shooter Sophia Fenwick made only four appearances off the bench in her second stint with the Steel, shooting 16/26 (61.53%). She briefly filled in for Selby-Rickit in four games, but Leaver moved above her in the pecking order down the stretch.
Midcourter Katarina Cooper appeared in just three games and was never really given a chance. There were questions regarding her fitness, and it is unlikely she will be content in a bench role so far away from home (Otaki).
An outsider
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic midcourter Samantha Sinclair would fit right in with the youthful direction in which the Steel decided to head a year ago.
While it is unlikely the Magic will let the talented 20-year-old slip away, she would upgrade an already solid Steel midcourt.
Cooper is sure to be gone, meaning the Steel will probably need another midcourter. Whether it can lure someone of Sinclair's skill and potential is another story.
