One can sense a modicum of expectancy in the air with player exodus, a perceived sense of spread in talent and experience as well as a new 30-second rule to speed up proceedings from 7.15pm starts at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale.
The notable omissions are Kupa, Rhiarna Ferris and, perhaps to a lesser extent, coach Annemarie Kupa-Petera.
Sisters Kupa and Kupa-Petera have just become mothers again - the former gave birth to 7-week-old daughter Rylan and the latter to 6-month-old son Arlon.
Kupa-Petera says Ferris is competing in the Colts Development competition in Palmerston North in what is effectively a second-tier franchise stage for aspiring ANZ Championship players wanting a berth in the Central Pulse squad.
She hastens to add Otane have acquired the services of defender Jayci Taylor-Chassey and fellow New Zealand Maori Secondary School girls' representative shooter Kelsey McPhee.
But she echoes the sentiments of Netball Hawke's Bay administrator Helga Lewis that it'll be a competitive Super 6 with some unexpected results.
The two "newcomers" are Havelock North Jazz Apples Kauri and Central Sports Vet Services HB.
Kauri are returning from a three-year hiatus at the elite level and Central bouncing back from dwindling numbers last season.
"We've had no game time so it'll be quite a challenge for us," says Kupa-Petera whose side qualified automatically with last year's losing finalists Hastings High School Old Girls' Proactive Huias.
The other teams had to run the gauntlet of the grading tournament in the past three weeks so they have racked up about half a dozen games in the process.
"Central Sports are always tough so you don't know what they'll bring on the day," warns Kupa-Petera of their Central Hawke's Bay neighbours but also mindful the All In Elusive outfit also have the propensity to do the unthinkable.
Kauri coach Angela Harvey, in her maiden season at the elite level, is excited her troops have had only four weeks to prepare for the first round to make the Super 6 cut so "anything can happen".
"We're all new-look teams so anyone can win," says Harvey, a District Health Board disability needs assessor who will jet off overseas for three weeks after the opening round.
Captain Mindy Jowsey and vice-captain Dana Cook will lead a team comprising two school girls and just as many young women while the rest are mothers.
"Mothers are more flexible in thinking and react to all sorts of things - all mothers can," says Harvey with a laugh.
On a serious note she emphasises six out of their eight players have done Super 6 mileage, albeit one who only has last season to her credit.
"The young girls help the other older girls keep up with their fitness," she says.
Conversely the two most seasoned heads in the equation help remind the others what standard is required to foot it at the level, never mind what it'll take to beat the likes of Otane.
"Of course, we're just pleased to be back after three years," says Harvey.
However, what the top six can't do is sit on their laurels.
Lewis points out that after one round of round-robin play the cellar dwellers will be pitted against the top-placed second-tier Saturday morning campaigners in what is effectively a promotion-relegation device within the season to keep everyone honest.
Snooze and you loose, snapping out of the Super 6 dream to land with a thud back into the Saturday grind.
Twist Lewis' arm and she picks Steve Jude Motors HHSOG Kea and Peak Dental Havelock North Matai as likely prospects to ruffle a few feathers as Super 6 contenders.
Super 6 draws:
For round one of the Hawke's Bay Netball premier club matches tomorrow night at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale, tomorrow (games start at 7.15pm):
* Otane Thirsty Whale v Havelock North Jazz Apples Kauri, PGA 1.
Umpires: D Thomas and N Corbett.
* All In Elusive v Central Sports Vet Services HB, PGA 2.
Umpires: H Lewis & P Castles
* Outkast Optimise Physio v Hastings High School Old Girls' Proactive Huias, PGA 3.
