The Southern Steel’s fortress opens its doors for the first time in three years when they take on last year’s grand finalists the Queensland Firebirds at Invercargill’s ILT Stadium Southland on Sunday. The stadium’s roof collapsed in 2010 due to a heavy snowfall and the franchise was forced to move temporarily to the neighbouring velodrome. Stadium Southland was well known as a tough place to venture to and the Steel will be shooting to mark the occasion of a new court with a win.

They have not had the happiest of times against the Firebirds having won just once in six outings and coach Janine Southby will be wary that if her side is to make the top four, for the first time since 2010, then a strong start with home court advantage is a must. It will come down to how the mid-court from each side service their Jamaican firepower – ensuring their accuracy with ball delivery hits their respective targets in 1.98m Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Steel) and Romelda Aiken (Firebirds) at 1.96m. The Firebirds beat the Steel 68-59 at home in Brisbane last year in the opening round and went on to reach the Championship Grand Final going down to Adelaide Thunderbirds.