It is not a new position Kiana Pelasio will find herself in.
The 22-year-old is the likely replacement for star shooter George Fisher in the Steel starting line-up on Monday.
Fisher will sit out the game against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Invercargill, having picked up a concussion last weekend.
It is a big loss — the English import has been brilliant for the Steel this season.
Pelasio has played sparingly this year, although she has been in good form for the Southern Blast in the National Netball League.
She first came into the team a year ago, being thrust into the starting line-up after serious knee injuries ruled out Jennifer O’Connell and Georgia Heffernan.
It was a role she grew into, and she impressed enough to receive a full-time contract this year.
While the situation is somewhat similar, coach Reinga Bloxham felt it might be slightly easier on the former Otago Girls’ High School player this time around.
"I think it’s a really tough situation," Bloxham said.
"Last year was really tough for her to be a training player, then to be brought in as a contracted player, then to have to start.
"I think the nice thing about this year is she’s had more time to prepare.
"She’s had trainings, she’s played NNL.
"Given the time she’s had I just hope she takes the opportunity with both hands if she gets and she just absolutely enjoys the experience and gets out of it what she needs to."
Grace Namana has been on the fringe of the side this year and has taken the court in patches.
She trained with the team this week and would seem a strong possibility to come into the matchday squad.
The other option is Heffernan, who is back on court after recovering from her ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
She has played for the Blast, although has had far less netball than Namana this year.
Bloxham was tight-lipped as to who would come in, but said one or both were options for Monday night.
"They are likely replacements for us, they’ve both been playing well," Bloxham said.
"Grace has had more minutes than Georgia in the NNL space, we had Grace as one of our training partners throughout the preseason and she’s slotted into a few of our trainings prior to this."
