Swannell: The Swifts. They had a ridiculous run of injuries last year but were still contenders (although blew it a bit late season). They've only added to their squad and will hopefully get Paige Hadley back at full fitness after a bad knee injury.
Who are the dark horses?
Johannsen:
The Firebirds. They've added Rebecca Bulley to the defensive mix, but they will need their young frontline to step up this season.
Burgess: Outside the main contenders maybe the Steel? Jhaniele Fowler-Reid is still basically unstoppable and if they can build a team around her - who knows?
Swannell: Given nearly everyone gets a prize in this new six-team finals system it feels like everyone's a chance. But, no one would want to play the Steel in a finals match because of the Fowler-Reid factor and I think the Thunderbirds will be back in the mix this season.
Which of the highly-touted teams will disappoint?
Johannsen:
The Mystics. They've made all the right noises about improving team culture and work ethic, but I still think their defensive end needs another year to mature as a group.
Burgess: Surely the Mystics can't fill this category again. The Pulse may struggle to live up to expectations; they should make the finals but may not go much further.
Swannell: They'll make the finals, but I'm not sure the Mystics are genuine contenders as they lack a hard-nosed, experienced defender. I also wonder whether the work-load some senior Vixens players have had/continue to have may impact them.
Which player will shine on attack?
Johannsen:
Tegan Caldwell. I expect by the end of the season Caldwell will be putting pressure on Natalie Medhurst for the goal attack bib in the Diamonds' starting line-up.
Burgess: Mwai Kumwenda. An amazing talent who will benefit from more structure at the Tactix this season.
Swannell: Going unfashionably with a midcourter - Millie Lees. New team, new city, fresh outlook. She's taken a year out from doctoring, looked in great shape in the Ferns' trip to Fiji and you get the feeling she desperately wants to be in that World Cup squad.
Which player will be the stand-out defender?
Johannsen:
Julie Corletto. After two quiet seasons with the Mystics, it is just sod's law she will move to the Swifts and make an immediate impact.
Burgess: Temalisi Fakahokotau. Her all-action style is sure to produce plenty of highlight reels for the Mystics' last season. Has only played 12 ANZ Championship matches so has a lot of improvement still to come.
Swannell: Kate Shimmin. She terrorised shooters last year, but as an established starter for the Thunderbirds now she will grow again.
I can't wait for ...
Johannsen:
The first draw - just for the novelty value. With overtime ditched for the regular season this year, drawn results will stand and the sanctity of newspaper deadlines will be restored.
Burgess: The Mystics vs Pulse in round four - one of the big New Zealand derbies and always a classic. I'm also looking forward to the confusion and consternation over the new conference system as the season develops ...
Swannell: The NZ teams to hit a bad patch and the reasoning of people who've never watched a game to tell me why ... oh wait, I can in fact wait for that. Genuinely ... to see what Julie Fitzgerald can do with the Casey Kopua-less Magic and some hugely talented, but very, very raw young players.
ANZ Championship 2015
Starts: Tomorrow
Play-offs: June 5-22
Great Kiwi hopes: The Pulse. With an experienced and powerful line-up, including Silver Ferns Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Liana Leota, Jodi Brown and Ameliaranne Wells, with veteran super shooter Irene van Dyk and English international Ama Agbeze, serious questions will be asked if the team are not in the title hunt come June.
The Mystics: Like the Pulse the Auckland side are stacked with international talent, including an all-Silver Ferns attacking line-up. After two disappointing seasons, the Mystics must shine this season to resurrect the franchise and also the Ferns' World Cup hopes.
What's new this year? The competition will move to a conference system, with the New Zealand and Australian teams ranked against each other. The top three teams from each country will go through to an extended finals format. A new Challenge Trophy has also been introduced, loosely based on provincial rugby's Ranfurly Shield.
