Australian coach Lisa Alexander indicated during the week her side had been working on moves to counter the experienced Silver Ferns' defensive line-up, even suggesting an offensive lift could be involved.
To what extent Alexander's comments are simply pre-series gamesmanship remains to be seen, but the warning is clear: the Silver Ferns should expect the unexpected.
Diamonds skipper Natalie von Bertouch did little at yesterday's captain's news conference to scotch speculation her side intended employing a lift.
"It may or may not happen, that's all I'll say," von Bertouch said.
"What we need to consider is the risk it puts on players, and unless you're doing it properly and are well prepared, it's not going to work."
The place of lifting in netball has been a hot topic since the Mystics unveiled their controversial assisted goal-tend - performed spectacularly by defender Anna Harrison - on the unsuspecting Melbourne Vixens during this year's ANZ Championship.
The move prompted some coaches to scour the rulebook, to see if there were any other potential loopholes to be exploited.
Whatever tricks the Australians have up their sleeves, Williams said her side would not be wasting too much time trying to guess what they might be.
"We just have to ... make sure we're quick to react when it happens."
Of more concern to Williams is scouting the shooting options the Diamonds have at their disposal.
With Alexander opting to rotate a squad of 15 over the series, there are five shooters that could be used across the three tests.
Crafty goal attack Natalie Medhurst and 1.92m shooter Caitlin Bassett were the preferred starting combination at the end of last year, but with Susan Pratley forcing her way back into the Diamonds line-up this season on the back of a strong ANZ Championship campaign, Australia has the ability to mix up its style with the two smaller shooters.
Williams said she and her fellow defenders had had to do their homework on the potential combinations.
The series opener will be the first test appearance for the two national captains since the world championships last year. Both have had surgery for niggling injuries.
Von Bertouch will be the more comfortable with how her side has progressed in her absence.
After success in Singapore, the Diamonds claimed the Constellation Cup for the second straight year.
Constellation Cup
NZ v Australia
Game 1, tomorrow, 4pm, Hisense Arena, Melbourne
Live on Sky Sport 1
