Sometimes it takes time to appreciate just how good a team really is.
That could be the case with this year’s Southern Steel.
It could hardly have been more dominant, winning all of its 16 games, and the final by 16 goals.
Talent-wise it boasted the most loaded roster in the ANZ Premiership.
But just how talented was it?
We all know Jhaniele Fowler-Reid is practically unstoppable at goal shoot.
Likewise, everyone knows the value and competitiveness of veteran captain Wendy Frew and defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.
But what of the others?
Shannon Francois has been around a while, but she is still has plenty of years in her at just 26.
Gina Crampton and Te Paea Selby-Rickit really only stepped up to that highest level last year.
Jane Watson has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past two seasons and rates as highly as any defender in the premiership.In the case of Crampton, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Watson, all only really came of age at the elite level last year.
Who is to say in a decade’s time we will not look back on this team as having not just several Silver Ferns, but several great Silver Ferns.It is often the way in sports.
When the Highlanders won the Super Rugby championship in 2015 they were seen largely as battlers. But the reality is there was some serious talent in that line-up.
They had an ace backline, five of whom are now All Blacks, and a forward pack with players who have gained more recognition since that win.In hindsight, maybe it was not such an upset.
Since then they have been seen among the competition’s top contenders.The same goes here.It really is hard to get a handle on how good a player is at the beginning of their time at the top.
No-one is disputing how they rate compared with their contemporaries in the current competition. However, there have been two main questions surrounding that. Could the Steel be so dominant without Fowler-Reid and did it dominate in a weak league?
While Fowler-Reid was no doubt dominant, as the season went on it became apparent that there was more to this team than just one player.
Likewise, while this team was clearly better than its rivals, perhaps it was good enough to be just as successful against better teams.
There will never be a real answer to that one.
However, when comparing teams of different seasons and eras, often it is the talent the teams possess that acts as a true gauge.
And that is where time is important.
Give that talent a chance to blossom a bit longer, get a feel for just how good it is and perhaps it will become clear exactly where it ranks alongside the greats.
