The Steel got together for its first training session on the weekend of February 9-10. That was three months too late in Broughton's opinion.
"In my experience over the last 10 years in the last competition we would be ready to go on November 1," she lamented.
The delay was out of Broughton's control. It took longer than expected for the New Zealand players' association to finalise the players' contracts.
Meanwhile, the five Australian franchises had named their squads and had begun training towards the end of last year, effectively giving them a two month head start on their transtasman opponents.
Broughton has vowed her side will be better prepared next year.
"I think we need a lot more pre-season games. Going into this sort of competition without matches is a huge disadvantage."
The Australian teams dominated the competition in the early stages and the Steel lost five of its first seven games. But it emerged from its bye in round eight an improved side, clearly benefiting from more time together as a unit.
Wins over the Melbourne Vixens in round 10 and the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic last week showed the team was capable of making the top four. But early inconsistency and a disappointing performance against the Northern Mystics in round 11 ended its play-off hopes.
The Steel completes its season with a match against the Queensland Firebirds at the Edgar Centre tomorrow evening. While the home side is out of contention, the Firebirds could slip into the semifinals if they beat the Steel and the Vixens lose to the Mystics in Melbourne tomorrow.
Following its loss to the Steel, the Magic's grip at the top has loosened. It still has pole position, but that is based on a small advantage in goal difference over the Sydney-based Swifts.
It will likely need a good win over the Canterbury Tactix in Hamilton today to secure a home semifinal.
The Swifts play the West Coast Fever in Perth on Monday and will be equally determined to earn home advantage.
No New Zealand side has managed to win in Australia, and Australian sides have struggled in New Zealand, so a home semifinal is seen as vital.
The Adelaide Thunderbirds and the Vixens are the other two sides still in line for a place in the final four.
The Thunderbirds play the winless Central Pulse in Napier and should win. But the Vixens have a harder match against the talent-laden Mystics.
The Steel, though, has more modest aims: improve on last week's effort against the Magic and finish the season on a high.
A key to achieving that will be shutting down Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken. The 1.96m tall athlete is one of the competition's leading shooters and has been in good touch.
"It is a big ask of our Ds [defenders]. She is hugely tall and has a big presence in there. I also rate their goal keeper [Laura Geitz], who comes out hunting for the ball," Broughton said.
Steel chief executive Julie Paterson expects the game to attract a sell-out crowd of 2888.
• ANZ Championship Squads
Southern Steel: Megan Dehn, Daneka Wipiiti, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Julianna Naoupu, Jess Tuki, Jenny-May Coffin, Liana Barrett-Chase, Wendy Telfer, Debbie White, Katrina Grant, Erika Burgess, Megan Hutton.
Queensland Firebirds: Romelda Aiken, Laura Geitz, Tasmin Greenway, Janelle Lawson, Clare McMeniman, Jo Morgan, Lauren Nourse, Jenny O'Connor, Meegan Rooney, Peta Stephens, Kierra Trompf, Katie Walker.
