Netball: Steel's late arrival relishes fresh start

Southern Steel shooter Megan Dehn tries her best to empathise with her teammates when they complain about feeling the effects of the long ANZ Championship season.

As the Steel prepare for their play-offs clash against the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Monday night, team physio Jenny Ferguson has been working overtime trying to get the players firing on all cylinders.

But Dehn can only sit smugly in the corner as she watches some her team- mates nurse niggling injuries.

Then again, player burn-out was never going to be an issue for Dehn.

The former Australian international joined the southern franchise just weeks ago, swanning in at the business end of the season to replace pregnant shooter Daneka Wipiiti.

She arrived just in time to play the mandatory three games that would allow her to take part in the play-offs should her team qualify.

With the help of their new shooting recruit, the Steel duly qualified for the finals, ensuring the continuation of Dehn's whirlwind comeback.

"It's kind of perfect for me," she chuckled. "I do feel a little bit guilty that I haven't been here the whole year and everyone else has been working their butts off for ages. But everyone's been great about it."

In truth, she needn't feel guilty.

Dehn has been one of the key drivers behind the Steel's late push for a semifinal position after seamlessly slotting into the shooting circle.

The 1.78m shooter has formed a lethal combination with fellow veteran Donna Wilkins, with Dehn's mobility and crafty attacking game making her a handy acquisition for the Steel.

Her form is all the more remarkable considering her only physical activity over the past few months has been a bit of social tennis on a Wednesday night.

Dehn admits she has been pretty happy with her performance, but can see many areas she'd like to improve.

"I'm always pretty tough on myself ... but considering I haven't played with Adine [Wilson] and Donna [Wilkins] before it's all been working out really well."

It has all gone so smoothly that Dehn is considering returning for the Steel next year, but she says a lot will depend on the rules governing ineligible players next season.

Netball New Zealand blocked the Steel's efforts to sign the 34-year-old shooter earlier this season, citing a need to protect the development pathways for local players.

But proposed changes to the eligibility rules for next season may allow franchises at least one overseas-based import as of right.

"I think coming back at this stage of the season has kind of shown me that I still love to play," said Dehn.

"I'm not really thinking about next year right now, but obviously I'm enjoying myself and I'm still able to compete quite well so I'll definitely think about coming back."

For now, though, Dehn's focus is on a strong performance over the in-form Thunderbirds on Monday.