Eight home games await Southern Steel
THE Southern Steel will appreciate waking up in their own beds a bit more on Sunday.
A home seasonopener awaits, as the side faces the Mainland Tactix in Invercargill.
It is something the team has not experienced much since 2019.
Last year it spent the majority of the season on the road, beginning with a game in Dunedin before the Covid19 lockdown and playing one in Invercargill right at the end.
This season it will play six times in Invercargill and twice in Dunedin.
It was something coach Reinga Bloxham felt would make a huge difference.
‘‘I think we appreciate all those little things we probably took for granted,’’ Bloxham said.
‘‘Knowing we get eight home games this year, it’s been quite humbling for us.
‘‘It’ll definitely help, because last year was extremely tough to be away from home and have those injuries and stuff.
‘‘We’re absolutely looking forward to people coming in and packing the stadium and getting right behind us.’’
They had a tough preseason, going down in all seven games — some by big margins.
However, it had been disrupted by injury, and English shooter George Fisher only linked with the team for the last two games and did not take the court.
Those injuries had cleared up — the only remaining niggle being Te Huinga Reo Selby
Rickit’s ankle, but she was expected to play on Sunday.
Since the preseason tournament in Otaki, Bloxham said the side had been focusing on solidifying its combinations.
‘‘I think the biggest takeaway for me was we still needed more time together.
‘‘When we went into Otaki we still hadn’t had a full team training.
‘‘I think it’s really important the last couple of weeks we prioritised that.
‘‘Having that time on and off the court to get those connections and get to know each other.
‘‘Last week and this week we’ve been focusing on those connections and combinations.’’
What the lineup will look like come 6pm on Sunday has been a big question too.
The side has a very new look to it and a host of different combinations were tried during the preseason.
The midcourt in particular will be of interest and whether captain Shannon Saunders lines up at centre or wing attack.
Bloxham had been unsure what it would look like herself, but she was close to having it locked in now.
‘‘I feel fairly confident I’m 90% of the way here.
‘‘I just want this week to make sure I’ve solidified that thinking.
‘‘I think the other nice thing is people are putting their hand up to say ‘don’t forget about me’ in the whole process, which is great.
‘‘It’s really created that competitive edge to fight for the bib.’’