Meet your team: Southern Steel 2010

With Southern Steel beginning their third season in the ANZ Championship against West Coast Fever in Invercargill on Sunday, netball reporter Brendon Egan looks at the players who will be featuring for the franchise this year.

DANEKA WIPIITI

Age: 27.Place of birth: Hamilton, New Zealand.Height: 1.94m.Position: GS.ANZ Championship history: Southern Steel 2008, 2009.

There will be plenty of interest surrounding Wipiiti in the early rounds of the ANZ Championship as she steps back on to the court after the birth of her first child, Kilani-Mae, late last year. Wipiiti came back ahead of schedule during the preseason and will be raring to go in this year's ANZ Championship as she tries to break back into the Silver Ferns.

MEGAN DEHN

Age: 35.Place of Birth: Gosford, Australia.Height: 1.78m.Positions: GA, GS, WA.ANZ Championship history: Southern Steel 2008, 2009.

Megan Dehn returns for her third season in Steel colours, with the former Australian international taking over the captaincy reins from Adine Wilson this season. She was originally denied a place in last year's Steel squad because of strict eligibility rules, but was called up to the squad midway through the season when Wipiiti stepped aside because of pregnancy. She will be a real asset for Steel again with her experience and leadership out on court.

JULIANNA NAOUPU

Age: 20.Place of Birth: Christchurch, New Zealand.Height: 1.74m.Positions: GA, GS.ANZ Championship history: Southern Steel 2008, 2009.

Naoupu has had a sprinkling of opportunities for Steel during the first two years of the ANZ Championship but looks set to get more of a chance this season. When she has been given a crack in the past, she has not let the side down. She needs to continue to develop as a player as the season progresses.

JADE TOPIA

Age: 23.Place of birth: Auckland, New Zealand.Height: 1.82m.Positions: GA, GS.ANZ Championship history: Northern Mystics 2008, 2009.

Auckland girl Jade Topia makes the shift down south to Steel this season after two years with the Northern Mystics. With Silver Fern shooter Maria Tutaia moving from Magic to the Mystics during the off-season, Topia was pushed out and had to look elsewhere for an ANZ Championship gig. She has been part of the Silver Ferns training squad in the past and will provide Steel with more solid backup in the shooting circle.

LIANA BARRETT-CHASE

Age: 25.Place of birth: Taihape, New Zealand.Height: 1.68m.Positions: C, WA.ANZ Championship history: Southern Steel 2008, 2009.

Barrett-Chase is one player with plenty to prove in this year's ANZ Championship. She nailed down a starting spot at wing attack for the Silver Ferns early in last year's international season, but disaster struck when she suffered a calf muscle injury against Australia. By the time she had recovered, she found herself sitting on the bench for the Silver Ferns' end-of-season tour and will be determined to have a strong season with Steel to win back her spot in the Silver Ferns starting seven. She will also be expected to be the rock in the midcourt with former Silver Fern Adine Wilson not returning this season.

WENDY FREW

Age: 25.Place of birth: Invercargill, New Zealand.Height: 1.71m.Positions: C, WD, WA.ANZ Championship history: Southern Steel 2008, 2009.

Born-and-bred Southlander Wendy Frew is expected to line up at centre for Southern Steel this season and fill the shoes of Adine Wilson. In the first two years of the ANZ Championship, Frew has played in all three midcourt positions and will be looking to make her mark in the centre bib this season. Frew has been part of the Silver Ferns squad for the past two years and, with the Commonwealth Games in India in October, will be aiming to impress during this year's competition.

HAYLEY SAUNDERS

Age: 20.Place of birth: Gore, New Zealand.Height: 1.79m.Positions: C, WD.ANZ Championship history: First season.

The former St Peter's College student will play in the ANZ Championship for the first time this season. She grabbed a spot in the Steel squad this year after impressing for Otago in last year's NPC tournament. Saunders has taken her chances during Steel's preseason competition and will give Robyn Broughton another useful midcourt option off the bench.

ERIKA BURGESS

Age: 25.Place of birth: New Plymouth, New Zealand.Height: 1.82m.Positions: WD, GD, GK.ANZ Championship history: Southern Steel 2008, 2009.

This year looms as a make-or-break one for experienced Steel midcourter Erika Burgess. Burgess has been on the cusp of the Silver Ferns squad in recent years, but has narrowly missed selection.

With Burgess set to start the season at wing defence for Steel, she has a great chance to show her talent and press for a chance to gain higher honours.

TE HUINGA REOSELBY-RICKIT

Age: 20.Place of birth: Hamilton, New Zealand.Height: 1.84m.Positions: GK, GD.ANZ Championship history: Southern Steel 2008, 2009.

With Sheryl Scanlan on the sidelines for the start of the ANZ Championship, Selby-Rickit will wear the goal defence bib for Steel. Selby-Rickit's chances in the Steel lineup have been few and far between in her two years in the ANZ Championship, but with increased court time, she has the potential to flourish this season. Selby-Rickit has arguably been Steel's best performer during the preseason.

LEANA de BRUIN

Age: 32.Place of birth: Bethlehem, South Africa.Height: 1.90m.Positions: GD, GK.ANZ Championship history: Waikato-BOP Magic 2008, Northern Mystics 2009.

The former South African and Silver Fern international was Steel's biggest recruit during the off-season, signing on from Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic. Her experience, height and aerial ability will be a big boost for Steel in the defensive circle. de Bruin is returning to top-level netball after the recent birth of her son Caleb, but has played in all of Steel's pre-season matches and looks to be progressing nicely ahead of the start of the new season. Will be eager to fight her way back into the Silver Ferns squad.

SHERYL SCANLAN

Age: 32.Place of birth: Auckland, NZ.Height: 1.78m.Positions: GD, WD.ANZ Championship history: Northern Mystics 2008, Southern Steel 2009.

Scanlan will miss the opening rounds of this year's ANZ Championship after reaggravating her calf muscle injury late last year. The injury is a cruel blow for the 61-cap Silver Fern veteran, who would have been hoping to hit the ground running after an injury-plagued 2009 season. She has been one of the most ruthless defenders in the world and will be looking to find her form of old.

EMMA MOYNIHAN

Age: 24.Place of birth: Wellington, New Zealand.Height: 1.75m.Positions: GD, WD.ANZ Championship history: First season.

Former Southern Sting defender Emma Moynihan will be making her debut in the ANZ Championship this season. The Verdon College product has been away studying at Otago University in Dunedin, but has completed her studies and is ready for a shot at the world's toughest club netball competition. During last year's NPC she was one of the standout defenders for Otago.

Coach: Robyn Broughton.
Assistant coach: Jo Cunningham.
Manager: Gail McLauchlan.
Physio: Jenny Ferguson.
Strength and conditioning: Stephen Hill-Haas.

- © Fairfax NZ News