And while she will miss catching the elimination final live — she will be playing her own semifinal with the Adelaide Thunderbirds — the Steel centurion is thrilled to see her former team back in the playoffs.
‘‘Whenever I can I’ve been watching,’’ Heffernan said.
‘‘It’s been pretty cool to see just how well they’re playing this season and just the style of netball that Wendy’s got them playing is awesome.
‘‘It’s just so great to see them playing so well and how cool for Invercargill, and all the fans down south, to have a home elimination final.
‘‘I’m stoked for them and I have full belief that they can definitely go all the way with the group they’ve got.’’
Heffernan played 101 games for the franchise and captained the team in recent years, before making the leap to the Thunderbirds this season.
The Thunderbirds have dominated Super Netball, locking away the minor premiership having lost only one game this season and meet the defending champion Melbourne Vixens in the major semifinal tomorrow.
If the Thunderbirds win, they will go straight through to the grand final on July 4.
Heffernan has taken her game to new heights, playing alongside Australian Diamonds Georgie Horjus and Matilda Garrett, Jamaicans Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and Latanya Wilson and South African Elmere van der Berg.
‘‘Sometimes I just look around the court and it’s just pretty crazy to see the players that I’m lucky to be surrounded by,’’ Heffernan said.
‘‘I think it's just been good for me to kind of join a new environment and just kind of be able to really hone in on the things that I could improve on.
‘‘Being surrounded by so many amazing players that play different styles, and I've had to learn a new style as well — and I’ve loved it.’’
Heffernan, who has predominantly played centre for the Thunderbirds, would love to lift the trophy.
‘‘I can’t believe how fast it’s gone.
‘‘I just want to make it 100% worth it by getting that title at the end.
‘‘We’re looking forward to the final series and we’re feeling good going into it, but we know that finals is a different ball game so it’s going to be tight.’’
