But you would not have known that watching them crash to their fifth consecutive loss last night.
The visitors were comprehensively outplayed by the Southern Steel in front of a near capacity (2800) crowd at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.
The Steel stormed to a 52-39 victory and in recent weeks has discovered some brilliant form.
A month earlier, things were not looking so rosy for the Robyn Broughton-led team. But the wily coach has the impressive knack of getting the best out of her side when it matters most.
The Steel controlled the tempo of the game through midcourt trio Liana Barrett-Chase, Wendy Frew and Erika Burgess, and defenders Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Leana de Bruin dominated their highly-rated opponents.
The win has cemented the Steel's spot in the top four, but it will need to keep winning to remain there.
The Steel plays the injury-plagued Canterbury Tactix in Invercargill next week, but the outcome of its match against the Northern Mystics in Auckland in two weeks could determine whether it makes a second consecutive appearance in the play-offs.
The loss has left the Vixens' season on the brink. They will need to win their three remaining matches, against the Adelaide Thunderbirds, New South Wales Swifts and Central Pulse, to keep their title hopes alive.
"That was a must-win for us," Broughton said. "And I thought we started that game with real resolution. Steely, actually."
The Steel dominated the game from the outset. The visitor's centre, Natasha Chokljat, made an uncharacteristic error shortly after the game got under way.
That set the tone for the game, with the Vixens coughing up possession and the Steel ruthlessly converting most opportunities.
Amazingly, the Steel led 17-6 at the first break and stretched its lead to 29-14 by halftime.
"We had to slow their speed down and they were just lost because we just played with a lot more control."
Broughton was well pleased with the whole team, but singled out Selby-Rickit.
"I thought Hu was amazing. I've got huge faith in her. She is stronger and more confident and I think it is a maturity thing. I can tell you, of all the girls I've coached over the years, she has the [most] natural instinct."
Selby-Rickit was at her decisive best at the back. She moved in for rebounds and cut down her opponents' supply of ball on the fringe of the shooting circle.
And with goal keep de Bruin swooping on anything loose, the Steel rattled the Vixens' attack end. They could barely stick a pass and struggled to break free form some suffocating defence.
Under pressure, they resorted to some hasty passing.
With each turnover, the defending champions retreated further into their shell. It was hard to believe this was the same team which dominated the ANZ Championship last year.
In a damaging eight minute period, the Steel scored 10 unanswered goals and took a 17-6 lead into the first break.
With her side's season hanging in the balance, Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg rung the changes. Wendy Jones replaced Chelsey Nash at wing attack, Sharelle McMahon shifted from goal attack to goal shoot, with the out-of-form Caitlin Thwaites taking a spell on the bench and Tegan Caldwell coming on at goal attack.
Despite the changes, the Steel continue to dominate what was expect to be an even contest. Hoornweg was forced into even more changes to somehow close the 15-point halftime buffer.
No chance. The Steel shut the game down with an unanswered seven goal burst early in the crucial third quarter.
Due to flooded roads, the Steel was forced to charter a flight from Invercargill to arrive in time for last night's match.
THE SCORES
- Southern Steel 52
Daneka Wipiiti 27/32, Megan Dehn 23/27, Julianna Naoupu 2/3Melbourne
- Vixens 39
Kathleen Knott 13/16, Tegan Caldwell 11/11, Sharelle McMahon 10/15, Caitlin Thwaites 5/6)
- Quarter 17-6, halftime 29-14, third quarter 42-26.
