Before joining the Southern Steel, Australian defender Jess Milne was back home soaking up every ounce of knowledge she could with the Gold Coast Titans.
The Titans, who play in the Queensland state league, were coached by former Silver Ferns midcourter Temepara Bailey, who left a lasting impact on Milne.
‘‘Temepara was someone who I felt that really believed in me quite a few years ago,’’ Milne said.
‘‘It is actually really nice to sort of come to this competition, come to ANZ and just see her again.
‘‘She’s such a smart, knowledgeable coach and has so much to give.’’
Former Silver Fern Cat Tuivaiti took over the coaching reins after Bailey returned to home to coach the Northern Stars, and brought all that flair she was known for to her coaching.
Milne admits she never ‘‘thought about netball so much’’ than when she was was coached by Tuivaiti, who Milne described as always being one step ahead of the play.
Tuivaiti was in charge of the Titans’ defensive end, helping Milne better understand where a shooter wanted to dictate the play and helped expand her mindset.
The defender has another long-serving national player leading her this year in Steel head coach Wendy Frew, as Milne gets her feet in the ANZ Premiership.
Milne, who missed last week through injury, has friendly faces in former Titans team-mate Josie Bingham, who has also joined the Steel, and former Queensland Firebirds Futures Academy head coach Jess Whitfort, who is the Steel’s assistant.
But the welcoming nature of the Steel environment made being away from home worth it.
‘‘It actually really does feel like a family. I know people sort of throw that word out there a lot, but ... the staff, and just all of the girls, everyone comes down and really buys into the environment,’’ Milne said.
‘‘They really bring you in.’’
Milne, who played for the Firebirds Futures in the Super Netball Reserves league and made her debut as a replacement for the Firebirds in 2024, is enjoying challenging herself.
Australians are known for a one-on-one style defence, whereas the New Zealand style leans towards a zone structure, and learning to adapt has been different.
‘‘I think it’s a really smart way of playing.’’
The ANZ Premiership is different this season with top Silver Ferns playing in Australia, but Milne felt the league was still very strong and a step up from the Titans.
‘‘We hear a lot about the Kiwis going over to Australia and I think ... as an Aussie as well, I’ve just got to take those opportunities.
‘‘That’s what I’ve done coming here and just trying to grow my game as much as I can being here.’’
Milne got her first taste of the Invercargill home crowd during their victory against the Stars — ‘‘everyone hates coming and playing here and now I can see why’’ — and gets to go again against the Central Pulse at Stadium Southland tonight. They will play for the Robyn Broughton Legacy Trophy.
The Pulse have won their past five games in Invercargill, but the Steel’s one-goal win against the Pulse away last year broke a nine-game losing streak against the Wellington side.
The Steel sit second on the table after two wins and a loss, and beat 2025 runners-up the Northern Mystics 57-46 last week.
The Pulse are fourth with one win and two losses, including a 59-55 loss to the Stars last week.
The Mystics host the Mainland Tactix in a repeat of last year’s final this afternoon, while the Stars play the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic tomorrow.
ANZ Premiership
Invercargill, 7pm
Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Josie Bingham, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Ashleigh Heffernan, Renee Savai’inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Jess Milne.
Central Pulse: Ine-Mari Venter, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Khiarna Williams, Lili Gorman-Brown, Emma Thompson, Erana Ngarimu, Ainsleyana Puleiata, Parris Mason, Madi Thomas, Holly Comyns.
