They say you learn more from a loss than a win.
The same can be said for nearly making the playoffs before just missing out on the eve of your final game.
If the Steel needed more motivation for making a return to the ANZ Premiership finals, look no further than a 2025 season in which they showed vast improvements.
It feels like it went by in a flash - thanks to the competition being reduced to 10 rounds - but they wrapped up with a record of 5-5 to finish fourth, and gave themselves a shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
That can be seen as a tick for the Steel, who won just two games last season.
Injuries again hurt the Steel early. Kimiora Poi spent preseason carrying a niggle, Kate Heffernan was ruled out of the opening rounds with a knee complaint, Serina Daunakamakama and Summer Temu missed the latter rounds with injury, and Australian Dakota Thomas never made an appearance.
Northern Stars training partner Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa joined and was a calm head in bringing the ball through in her introductions.
New coach Wendy Frew took over the reins and did a fine job in her first elite coaching gig.
Both wins over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic were pretty to watch, and the come-from-behind win over the Central Pulse will linger as the catalyst for belief.
But Frew will be the first to acknowledge there are things that could have gone better.
The Steel were beaten twice by the Mainland Tactix, and came up agonisingly short against the Northern Mystics in their first encounter.
Game management in those instances could have been better, and their consistency across the board hurt them in the crucial moments.
Learning to put their foot down when they get a run in those tighter games and reducing lapses in pass placement are keys for the future.
Luring Liana Leota home as Frew’s assistant was a stroke of genius. The former Steel midcourter, who had been coaching in England, brought attacking flair and a wealth of experience.
Former Silver Ferns shooter Aliyah Dunn returned home to Invercargill and played some of her best netball in recent years.
Having a dominant target was the difference and she finished with 383 from 400 at 95% from the one-point zone.
Tall defenders have been missing for the Steel, and Carys Stythe answered that call.
She joined as a double-premiership winner from the Mystics and showed the strength of her game with more court time, and many argue her time for the black dress has come.
Coming in off the back of an international recall, Kimiora Poi was a superb addition at wing attack - an area of concern for the Steel in recent years.
Poi almost flew under the radar for her large workload, which fans have come to expect, but she was the link in the midcourt and finished fourth in the league with 352 feeds.
Across the board, it felt like there was more cohesion in this team and they produced some beautiful netball when they fired.
The spine of Kate and Georgia Heffernan - third for centre-pass receives with 186 - Renee Savai’inaea and Abby Lawson have been there through the thick of it.
Kate Heffernan spoke about players wanting to be part of the side that turned the Steel’s fortunes around, and if they can keep the core at the Steel, there is no reason they cannot return to the playoffs in 2026.
But that is the key - keeping this crew together.
There will be changes, but if the Steel can get some continuity in Dunn, Stythe and Poi staying, all signs point towards a bright future.
Southern Steel
The season
Record
Played 10, won five, lost five, fourth in ANZ Premiership.
The best
Down by nine heading into the final quarter, the Steel piled on 17 points to come back and beat the Central Pulse 58-57 in round seven. Georgia Heffernan showed the growth in her game to sink a two-pointer in the final minute. Perhaps what was most
impressive was keeping a usually dominant Pulse to just seven points in the final quarter.
The worst
On the other end of the spectrum, the Pulse gave the Steel an absolute hiding in their 70-45 loss in round four. Nothing clicked for the Steel, and the Pulse registered their highest winning score since 2018.
MVP
Carys Stythe took a big leap leaving Auckland for the South - and it paid off. The defender topped the league for defensive rebounds (21), and was third for deflections (52) and intercepts (19). Aliyah Dunn was a dominant force as well.
Most improved
Georgia Heffernan showed real maturity in her game and having strength in Dunn allowed her to focus on her own job. Her court craft and option-taking was a standout.
