Frances Solia keen to resume the journey

Wellington's Frances Solia is eager to get back on court for the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic's testing first-round clash against the Vixens in Melbourne on Monday.

Solia, who boosted her reputation in the World Seven side that thwarted the Silver Ferns and the Australian Diamonds last year, will again travel north to play in Hamilton this season.

She enjoyed her first season with the Magic last year, and isn't daunted by her side's tough draw, which matches the Magic with the defending champions first up.

"I'm feeling really good, and ready for the first game," Solia said.

"It's a big game to take on, but they wanted a big bang for the first game, so they're going to get it."

The Samoan midcourter shares good company on the weekly flight to training. Upper Hutt resident Irene van Dyk and former Capital Shaker Jodi Brown are part of the Magic's travelling roadshow this season.

Brown, who played for the Canterbury Tactix last year, will stockpile the most air miles with a weekly commute from Dunedin.

Solia described the Magic's pre-season as low-key, but saw no reason to question her side's dodge of the pre-season events.

While all the other New Zealand sides played in the Queenstown pre-season tournament last month, and the Pulse and Steel travelled to Sydney for the Sopa Cup, the Magic are yet to play another league team.

"We've just been playing against the men's team and playing against ourselves," Solia said.

"With the tournaments, we've been there, done that, in the past and we wanted a fresh start this season.

"We've always gone to pre-seasons in the past and we haven't come first, so we're making subtle changes to our buildup."

The Vixens have injury concerns over defender Julie Corletto.

Last year's Netball Australia most valuable player is in doubt as she battles swelling on her left knee. She had arthroscopic surgery on both knees in October but her left knee has been slow to recover.

- © Fairfax NZ News