Nicola Jones has combinations on her mind and it's nothing to do with remembering a four-digit code for her safe.
The coach leads Otago into the national championships tomorrow, starting with a game against Auckland in Dunedin and, she hopes, ending in about four weeks' time with a first national title for the province since 1998.
It is Jones' third stint in the job, after coaching Otago in 2004-05 and 2007, so she is well used to the often scattered nature of the build-up to the national championships.
"It's been quite a tricky build-up," Jones told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"We've had hardly any trainings with every player there, so that makes it quite important that we gel quickly for the first game.
"Linking our defensive end through to our shooters is a key area, so developing our midcourt links is really important.
"We picked up plenty of intercepts in our pre-season games. Now we've got to make sure we look after that turnover ball and finish it off."
Otago has a fine record to protect in the national championships.
It might not have won the title since 1998, when the great team of Anna Rowberry, Lesley Nicol, Belinda Colling and company didn't lose a game, but it has only twice finished outside the top four in the last 13 years.
Under Jones and then Georgie Salter - who is with the team as a technical adviser this year - Otago finished third in both 2007 and last year.
Its first two games are at home this year, but they are against a potentially strong Auckland side and defending champion Southland.
"On paper, we're looking at two teams that appear to be right at the top," Jones said.
"I think it's really important that we stamp our mark straight away and get right into it."
Jones is quietly confident she has the right mix of established players and rising talent.
There is experience at the shooting end in the form of Silver Ferns Jodi Brown and Jo Morrison, though both will be pushed for time by the polished Greir Campbell.
Jones is also excited about the re-emergence of Lizzie Sandom, who was impressive in club netball and adds mobility to the circle.
Wing attack is a position light on experience but has two keen youngsters, the dynamic Kate Shearer and the intelligent Rihi Salter, pushing for the bib.
Debbie Hill, whose own preparation for the national championships has been limited as she has been overseas playing volleyball, must control the Otago midcourt from centre, while Hayley Saunders will line up at wing defence.
Saunders, who played for Southland last year, was injured in the pre-season but was developing into a "hungry" defender who was eager to get the ball and make herself available, Jones said.
Jones will be in for plenty of travelling from her home in Alexandra, often accompanied by children Ned (5), Ruby (3) and Judd, who turns 2 tomorrow.
Otago surprised some when it finished third at the national championships last year, beating North 56-53 in a play-off on the final day in Rotorua.
From that team, no fewer than five key players are missing.
Phillipa Finch has moved to Canterbury, Jess Tuki is with Waikato, Debbie White is in Auckland and Hannah Broederlow is in Palmerston North.
Millie Lees, who has been busy with under-21 and study commitments and is returning to Wellington to play for the Pulse next year, is also unavailable.
There are 12 teams in first grade, six in each division.
Otago needs to make sure it reaches the top four - possibly winning at least three of its five games in the round robin - to avoid getting into relegation matches.
The 2009 campaign
- Squad
Shooters: Jodi Brown (co-captain), Jo Morrison, Greir Campbell, Lizzie Sandom
Midcourters: Debbie Hill (co-captain), Hayley Saunders, Kate Shearer, Rihi Salter
Defenders: Louise Thayer, Emma Moynihan, Sarah Lansdown
- Draw
September 6: v Auckland, Edgar Centre, noon
September 13: v Southland, Edgar Centre, noon
September 19: v Western, Palmerston North
September 27: v North, Albany
October 1: v Canterbury, Invercargill
October 2-3: Finals, Invercargill
Placings 1996: 2nd; 1997: 2nd; 1998: 1st; 1999: 4th; 2000: 6th; 2001: 4th; 2002: 2nd; 2003: 5th; 2004: 3rd; 2005: 5th; 2006: 8th; 2007: 3rd; 2008: 3rd
