Netball: Thinking the unthinkable - a new champion

Will this be the year that someone finally topples the Sting in the National Bank Cup?  There's a vulnerability about the Invercargill side who have seemed invincible.

The Herald takes a look at this years' teams:

Auckland Waitakere Diamonds

Last year: 5th

Former Australian shooter Sue Hawkins may just be the tonic the Diamonds need.

The franchise representing the country's largest city has done little to impress in the competition's seven-year history. Their best placing is a fourth achieved in 1998 and 1999.

The Diamonds have never exactly boasted star-studded lineups - until this year.

They've retained Silver Ferns Anna Rowberry and Victoria Edward and former Australian captain Kathryn Harby-Williams and gained Silver Fern goal attack Jodi Te Huna, New Zealand under-21 player Maria Tutaia, New Zealand A representative Stephanie Bond, former Silver Fern Carron Jerram and former England player Jo Morrison ( nee Steed).

Throw in Hawkins, who replaced Joan Hodson as coach, and the expectations are high for this Diamonds side.

Like several teams in the competition, the Diamonds' preparation has been disrupted with Silver Fern and New Zealand under-21 player commitments, which makes it difficult when the competition is just one round long.

But they showed some brilliant passages of play in their final pre-season hit-out against the Melbourne Kestrels last weekend.

"On paper we are a good side," Rowberry says. "But you have to get out there and produce the goods. That is the pressure we face this year. Everyone is saying the Diamonds are the unknown. We head in with a certain amount of expectation - something we probably haven't had before which will probably be good for us."

North Harbour Force

Last year: 3rd

It's almost like a mystery trying to unlock the secret as to why the Force have failed to win netball's premier domestic competition.

Every year they bowl up with a team of rock stars and every year they fail to deliver.

A lot of the Force's problem has been inconsistency and, in particular, inaccuracy under the hoop.

Teresa Tairi is generally stable at goal attack but Daneka Wipiiti is inclined to run hot or cold at goal shoot.

The introduction of 18-year-old Catherine Latu, the 1.92m member of Samoa's under-21 side, should help alleviate that.

"This is a big step up for her but she is growing with every game," Force coach Yvonne Willering says of Latu.

Silver Fern Temepara George will once again hold the fort in the midcourt with long-time Force representatives Kimberley Horton and Angela Yates, both members of New Zealand A.

Following the retirement of powerful defender Linda Vagana, Willering recruited former Silver Fern Leana de Bruin ( nee de Plooy) who will team up with Silver Fern Sheryl Scanlan and Kate Dowling to form a handy defensive unit.

Vagana is available if there are injuries.

Ironically Dowling has been ruled out of the opening game against the Rebels with an Achilles problem and Vagana will travel to Dunedin. Wipiiti is also in doubt with a thumb injury.

With the core of her team still intact, Willering says it is partly about building on past seasons.

"We have tried a slightly different preparation. Last year we probably didn't play as many pre-season games as we have this time.

"Last year we had a very slow start.

"Obviously we have spoken about the inconsistency and that sort of thing so those are the areas we have worked on."

Waikato/Bay Of Plenty Magic

Last year: 4th

The Silver Fern quartet of Irene van Dyk, Laura Langman, Joline Henry and Casey Williams spearhead the Magic side.

Clearly disappointed with their fourth last year they'll have set a place in the final as their minimum mark of success.

Their best finish is third.

The team welcome back coach and former Silver Fern Noeline Taurua, who missed last season through pregnancy.

"We have a good foundation of players and I think also a good balance of players," Taurua says.

The side also includes New Zealand A players Amigene Metcalfe and Anna Senio.

The core of the team remains from last year but the difference is the likes of Williams and Langman have another year of netball under their belt and will have added to their skills, making them even more potent in this year's competition.

Van Dyk is obviously the main cog in the Magic wheel but the attacking third has been the side's downfall in recent years as a result of forcing the ball into her.

Something Taurua is well aware off.

"Everyone has a role in the team and they have to play up to that.

"We want be consistent and keep the error rate down. One minute we are playing beautifully and the next terribly. That is one of the aims we are looking for this year."

Southern Sting

(Invercargill)

Last six years: First

* Lost: Effective Australian goal attack/wing attack Natalie Avellino.

* Returned: Dominant defender Megan Hutton after a season with the Shakers.

* Strengths: While the Sting have efficacy everywhere, particularly in the shooting circle with Tania Dalton and Donna Loffhagen, it is the side's confidence and ability to play error free netball which seems to win them games and championship titles.

* A possible weakness could be a lack of depth on the bench which makes them a little bit predictable. If their confidence can be cracked and flow through court rattled then maybe - just maybe - the Sting can be beaten.

* Injury cloud over Adine Wilson and Lesley Rumball, Dalton just returning to the game after a lengthy break and Loffhagen preparing to switch allegiances to basketball there is a chance the title may finally be wrestled out of Southland.

Western Flyers

(Taranaki, Wanganui, Manawatu)

Last year: 8th

* Have introduced six new players to the side.

* Major acquisitions include former Force shooters Malu Fa'asavalu and Julie Kelman-Poto and New Zealand under-21 member Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.

* Strength is likely to be in shooting circle with Kelman-Poto and Fa'asavalu.

* Are expected to struggle against the more formidable sides such as the Diamonds and Sting. However should have some good tussles with the less favoured teams like the Shakers.

* Stronger throughout the court than last year but still lack the experience to really challenge for the title.

Capital Shakers

(Wellington)

Last Year: 7th

* Coach Sheryl George-Burns has introduced seven new players including former Diamonds shooter Brigette Tapene, former Magic midcourter Liezel Wium and former Queensland Firebirds defender Victoria Smith.

* Key losses are defender Megan Hutton, shooter Katie Ritchie and English midcourter Karen Aspinall.

* Strength could lie in the defence with the powerful Cushla Litchwark, former New Zealand A squad member Kylie Young and newcomer Victoria Smith.

* The side's midcourt is also quite balanced with veteran Frances Solia, new recruit Wium and Koren Pickard.

* Possible weakness in their shooting circle.

* Caused some of the big guns difficulty last year - losing to the Force and Magic by less than five goals. Will be pushing for the upsets.

Canterbury Flames

(Christchurch)

Last year: 2nd

* Key losses Jodi Te Huna, Belinda Colling, Julie Seymour and Belinda Charteris.

* Loaded with young talent such as NZ under-21 squad members Elizabeth Manu, Jessica Leech, Katrina Grant and Anna Thompson.

* Experienced shooter Sonia Butler returns after a year out and will be joined by former Diamonds shooter Shelley Norris.

* Silver Fern defender Vilimaina Davu captains side for the first time.

* Very much a new look following the loss of several seasoned players.

Unlikely to make the final but they will definitely have their sights set on a top-four finish.

Otago Rebels

(Dunedin)

Last year: 6th

* Key players are Silver Ferns Anna Scarlett and Angela Mitchell.

* Also have New Zealand A players Chantelle Ngaia, Katie Ritchie, Alison Shanks and Debbie White and New Zealand under-21 squad members Debbie White and Melissa Ruru.

* Coached by the matriarch of New Zealand netball, Lois Muir.

* Major loss defender Stephanie Bond to the Diamonds.

* Expect to see them challenging for a semifinal spot.