KEY POINTS:
For years she was the dominant force in the Sting, the indefatigable scoring machine. Now Donna Wilkins is feeling like a well-oiled but spare cog.
"I feel a bit bloody redundant. Like I don't need to put up any shots any more," she groans.
Wilkins, who as Donna
Loffhagen shot the Sting to historic victories for six straight years, is being overshadowed under the post.
And by a player who for 10 years has had all the talent in the world and is finally getting it right.
Wilkins can take much of the credit for Daneka Wipiiti's rise and rise; and she's happy to do so.
Together, they have shot the Sting into genuine contention for a seventh National Bank Cup title. Wilkins believes this Sting outfit may be one of the greatest the competition has seen.
Wilkins and Wipiiti are goals apart. Wilkins is 29, in her 10th season with the Sting, and on the verge of throwing in the towel.
Wipiiti is 24, and although she's been in this competition just as long as Wilkins (starting with the Flyers in the inaugural year as a 15-year-old), it's her first year with the Sting. And it's like she's starting all over again.
"I think it's maybe my time; a fresh time, a new environment," says Wipiiti.
Months ago, Sting coach Robyn Broughton - who has coaxed so much out of Wilkins, and now Wipiiti - suggested both shooters wouldn't be bad bets for the Silver Ferns in their world championship year.
Wilkins doesn't seem too taken by the idea of playing netball for New Zealand again. She fobs it off, saying she won't consider her future - including a contract with a New Zealand team in the Australian women's basketball league - until her run in the National Bank Cup is over. Wipiiti, on the other hand, is eager to have another go. She was a Silver Fern as a naive 19-year-old, but found the responsibility too daunting.
Ferns coach Ruth Aitken would be happy to have either shooter back, if they played their way into the side.
Wipiiti should have at least earned the right to trial for the Ferns next month, after her composed performance on Saturday night in the Sting's eight-goal win over the Diamonds.
Under the torment of the Diamonds' defence, as the wily Anna Scarlett tried remorselessly to get into her head, Wipiiti stood firm and calm.
Her captain, Adine Wilson, was her mentor, talking to her continuously, and Wilkins played support under the hoop, but Wipiiti barely needed it.
She put up 48 shots, scoring 35 of them; Wilkins chipped in with 15 (from 16 attempts).
"I thought I was coming back this season in a supportive-type role. But I meant supportive from the bench!" Wilkins roars with laughter.
"If Daneka gets something out of my experience, that's great. It's good to see her back at her best. I think it's just about a bit of encouragement. For the last few years she probably wasn't enjoying it.
"She got quite down, she wasn't getting court-time, she wasn't being receptive, and she went within herself. But now look at her - she's talking, moving, and if she's smiling, that ball is going through the hoop."
Wipiiti, just as confident and relaxed on the sideline after the game, says she loves playing next to Wilkins and the Sting have given her the confidence to "go out there and do my job".
"Robyn [Broughton] is awesome. She's been so supportive - a mum away from home. She doesn't put the pressure on you. Everyone's had confidence in me, and I'm loving it.
"My aims are still in the Silver Ferns, but for now I'm set on winning the Cup for the last time."
Wilkins believes the Sting will take the silverware back to its bulging cabinet in Stadium Southland, and scoffs at pre-season talk that this team would struggle after last season's retirements.
"I never believed that. You know, we have a lot of experience in this team - Wendy Telfer, Megan Hutton and Jenny Ferguson have played for the Sting for years and this is my 10th season," she says.
"Realistically we only lost Belinda [Colling] and Lesley [Rumball], because they had babies, so we are still a really strong side."