KEY POINTS:
THE BIGGEST CONTROVERSY
The draw: The one-and-a-half round-robin draw is set to be the controversial issue of the tournament. Already there are rumblings across the Tasman that the format may not favour the Australian franchises as their top player talent has been spread across three or four teams.
In New Zealand however, there are two stand-out teams who have the bulk of the Silver Ferns - the Magic and the Mystics. The Australian teams argue that statistically there isn't much hope of them having more than two teams in the final four so it may not actually be the best four teams that advance through to the play-offs.
For example Australia's third-ranked team could knock off New Zealand's second-ranked team by 20 goals in round-robin play, but still not make it through to the semifinals. The issue will heat up as the play-offs draw near.
THE PERENNIAL GRIPE
The umpiring: The difference in interpretation between the Australian and New Zealand umpires is also the cause of consternation for the coaches leading into the season.
Pre-season matches have shown that there is much variation between the rulings depending on which side of the Tasman the umpire resides. Kiwi players have found it difficult to adjust to some of the Australian umpires calls.
The Aussie whistleblowers are thought to be more lenient on contacts and obstruction and tend to play advantage more, when often there is no advantage to be gained. To cut down on costs in the league, games played in Australia will be officiated by Australian umpires, while New Zealand umpires will be in charge of games in New Zealand. This could make home advantage crucial come play-off time.
MOST TALKED ABOUT PLAYER
Vilimaina Davu: Already the former Silver Fern has been the source of much debate in the pre-season, with Netball New Zealand initially turning down an application from the Northern Mystics to let Davu play in the league.
Given the national body were initially of the opinion that Davu was not up to the standard required for the new competition, the formidable defender's performances are certain to come under a lot of scrutiny.
And with Davu the new face of the Jenny Craig weight-loss programme all eyes will be on whether the former Fiji player-coach can trim down and become the Vilimaina Davu of old.
MOST-EFFECTIVE IMPORT
Romelda Aiken: The Queensland Firebirds pulled off a major pre-season coup when they signed Jamaican teen Romelda Aiken.
Jamaican national coach Connie Francis believes it is only a matter of time before Aiken takes over Irene van Dyk's billing as the best shooter in the game.
At 1.95m tall, Aiken is almost impossible to defend against and she could be the undoing of many strong teams in the league.
STAUNCHEST SUPPORTERS
Southern Steel: In their previous incarnation as the Southern Sting, the girls from the deep South enjoyed an unprecedented level of support for a netball team.
The Sting played their home games in packed stadiums week-in, week-out with their parochial crowd making life tough for visiting teams. And though the Steel franchise now encompasses the Otago region, the level of support in Invercargill promises to be raucous.
In the deep South their star netballers are treated like goddesses and the Steel are certain to be the envy of every other team in the league with their unwavering hometown support.
LEAGUE MVP
Temepara George: The midcourt dynamo may not be playing at international level any more, but there is no doubting George's enormous talent.
She is a proven match winner and has the ability to turn any game whether it be through pulling off unlikely intercepts or providing spark on attack.
The athletic centre won the player-of-the-series award for the past three years in the National Bank Cup and with George being such a key member in the Mystics side she could once again be recognised as the stand-out player in the competition. The big question will be: Can George pull off the Dancing with the Stars/ANZ Championship double?
