KEY POINTS:
Megan Dehn would jump through the hoop for Yvonne Willering.
It's not only about the respect that has multiplied during the past two seasons between the Force coach and the Australian international shooter - Willering reckons Dehn owes her.
"Megan wasn't there for us this time last year - she got injured. So she owes us. Big time. I keep reminding her about that," Willering almost cackles.
Dehn knows that her timing was bad when she wrecked her knee in last year's opening National Bank Cup semifinal against the Flames (and the Force ended up third). But she's paid the northern franchise back, in spades, this year. What was meant to be a 12-week stay in Auckland for the 2006 NBC season has turned into 15 months. After her knee was reconstructed, Dehn and her husband Greg stayed in Auckland, settling in Ponsonby, and committing to the final year of the national league with the Force.
"I wanted to stay and try to win it with the girls," Dehn, 33, says.
Tonight she has a promise to fulfil. And then, regretfully she says, she heads back across the Tasman to play for the Sydney Swifts in the final stages of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy - her ninth and last season in that league as it, too, wraps up for next year's supercharged Tasman Trophy. Her aim is to become the only player to win both premierships in the same year - and there's a good chance she will.
Dehn, who's been in and out of the Australian team for six years, will take a bit of New Zealand netball back with her. Playing for the Force has made the quick-footed shooter rethink the way she plays.
"My style is more a composite Kiwi-Aussie style now," she says. "It will benefit the Swifts, now I've got a few ideas on how things work better. I've learned so much over here, under Yvonne's guidance," she says.
"I've loved it here. You know I've been with the Swifts for nearly 10 years, and I've only been here for two seasons, but I feel like I've known everyone here forever. It's really relaxed and friendly, which suits me perfectly.
"If the Force were carrying on, I would probably have stayed, but with the new team I have to reassess next year. I might retire and start a family yet."
She's sad to be breaking the shooting relationship with talented young Samoan international Catherine Latu, just when they've hit their straps. Last season, Dehn split her court-time between combinations with Latu and now Sting shooter Daneka Wipiiti, and struggled to find a rhythm.
"Being here fulltime has meant Catherine and I have had quite a lot of time together to understand each other's games," Dehn says. "She's such a strong target in the circle, so solid ... She's only 20, so she's only going to get better."
Dehn has also forged a strong shooting partnership with former Diamonds shooter Brigette Tapene, a more mobile combination, which Willering may use tonight.
Latu, who stands a loaf of bread taller than Dehn, has been one of the most prolific shooters in the cup competition - acing 85 per cent of her shots.
The knowledge she's collected from playing with Dehn will be to the benefit of the Samoan side at this year's world championships. Latu played for Samoa at last year's Commonwealth Games but expects November's world event to be a whole new ball game.
"I don't know what to expect. Samoa has financial restrictions, and it's hard to work around them. At least it's here in Auckland and our team will get a lot of support," says Latu, who grew up and still lives in West Auckland.
Latu, of Samoan, Tongan and Maori descent, has been eating and breathing netball this year - putting her study for a Bachelor of Social Sciences on hold to focus on her sports career. Tonight's final couldn't come soon enough.
"I'm looking forward to it - too much, maybe. It's what everybody's dreamed about since last year," she says. "The three years I've been in the team, we've never made a final.
"In a way, we're a little more relaxed this year, and maybe that's where our success has come from - we're enjoying it more and doing it better."
Dehn is the perfect goal attack, Latu says - smart, swift, and willing and able to put up her fair share of shots. Pure talent, she calls her.
And Latu doesn't believe it's the last New Zealand will see of Dehn.
"She will be back," Latu says with a slow grin.
"She doesn't know it yet, but she will be back."
