Netball: Steel battling on without its stars

No Wilson, no Wilkins, no hope? Not according to Steel coach Robyn Broughton.

The wily campaigner is an unashamed fan of the classy duo.

After all, Adine Wilson and Donna Wilkins helped Broughton claim seven titles in 10 years with the Sting and the pair played a big part in helping the Steel reach the ANZ Championship play-offs last season.

Both are unavailable this year and many critics have written off the Steel as a result.

Broughton is one of the first to admit players of that calibre are almost impossible to replace.

That said, the experienced coach knows a thing or two about moulding a winning team and is confident her side will still be competitive.

"As a combination they were probably the best in the world," Broughton said. "Adine was a perfectionist at what she did and how she did it. Donna had a will to win and wanted it badly.

"You look out there today, and there is nobody to replace them - not in my team."

Broughton acknowledged her squad did not have the depth it had last year but said the Steel was not the only New Zealand franchise which looked weaker on paper.

"Our depth isn't huge. New Zealand needs to start looking at developing players. You can't develop at this level . . . they need to be ready before they get here. We have to remember this is an international competition and it is not as easy as people think."

The Steel suffered a morale-denting 58-51 loss to the Canterbury Tactix in Dunedin on Saturday.

The side looked fatigued and Broughton acknowledged a busy pre-season, which had seen the franchise play 19 games in five weeks, had taken its toll.

Despite the dress rehearsal not going to script, Broughton said her side should not be underestimated.

"They've played some really good games [in the build-up] and I've been really pleased. You've got to have the hunger for it and you have to have really tight [defence]."

The Steel was without wing attack Liana Barrett-Chase. Steel skipper and regular goal attack Megan Dehn donned the bib in her absence but the Steel struggled to feed its shooters and a lot of ball was lost at the attacking end.

The performance was not as polished as you would expect from a Broughton-led team.

Some of the sloppiness could be put down to tiredness. But without the likes of Wilson and Wilkins, and with Silver Ferns defender Katrina Grant transferring to the Pulse and experienced goal keep Megan Hutton retired, the Steel lacked fluency.

Broughton described the defence as "loose", while centre Wendy Frew was outplayed by her opposite Maree Bowden and shooter Daneka Wipiiti looked hesitant and will benefit from some more game time.

"Daneka is back but she is not quite back yet. Her strength in the air is not where it is used to be. But we'll work on that this week at practice."

Broughton believes the Australian teams will likely set the pace once again.

"I just think the Australian sides have so much depth they can bring on. The Firebirds look good and so do the Vixens and Thunderbirds, and the Swifts are coming on."

The Queensland Firebirds could be the big mover this season.

The Brisbane-based side has picked up classy goal attack Natalie Medhurst, who has transferred from the Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Her combination with Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken will give the Firebirds one of the most formidable attacks in the tournament.

As far as the other New Zealand sides are concerned, the chronically under-performing Northern Mystics have recruited well and should climb up the competition ladder, and the Magic still has a decent line-up despite losing Silver Ferns Joline Henry, Leana de Bruin and Maria Tutaia.