Over the next four days 27 players will trial for a spot in the Silver Ferns' Commonwealth Games team and the gate is wide open, writes Bridget Tunnicliffe.
Unavailability and inconsistent performances means the selectors will be keeping an open mind about which players best fit their game plan.
Selectors might feel they've got nothing to lose after New Zealand were beaten by England and Australia in January's Quad series.
And with one eye on next year's Netball World Cup, they could cut to the chase and bring players in now who they think are part of a longer-term winning formula.
Midcourt mystery
Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders played important roles at netball's last pinnacle event and should do so again.
Silver Ferns' coach Dame Noeline Taurua has always rated Crampton at wing attack and Saunders with 85 Test caps is the most experienced member of the current Silver Ferns' squad.
Saunders is a great option to bring on at wing attack and can cover centre.
Kimiora Poi, Mila Reulu-Buchanan, Kate Heffernan, Sam Winders, Claire Kersten and Maddy Gordon are all in contention to make a claim for the Silver Ferns' centre position. Photo: Photosport
It seems Karin Burger was being favoured as the starting wing defence based on the January Quad series.
But with Burger out, Sam Winders should have that bib after doing a fine job there in series against Australia and England last year.
The gutsy midcourter brings heart and can turnover ball at clutch times and is another player who can cover the centre position.
But the biggest question that netball fans are desperate to have answered is who the Silver Ferns' starting centre is.
Since Laura Langman retired in 2020 Dame Noeline has tried six different players in the centre bib, including Maddy Gordon during last year's Cadbury Men's series.
Claire Kersten has spent the most time in that position and it looked like Dame Noeline settled on the 32-year-old by the end of January's Quad series.
Kersten is reliable and steady but it might be time to roll the dice and pick a young gun like Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Maddy Gordon, or Kate Heffernan.
Reuelu-Buchanan has a Langman-like work-rate and Stars coach Kiri Wills aptly called her and Crampton the ''double-barrell shot-gun'' because they both supply so much ball to their shooters.
Heffernan is a special player but might need another year to refine the centre position.
Could Maddy Gordon be player X? Is she the answer at Centre? Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kimiora Poi would have to be the purest centre in New Zealand but has been out of favour.
Silver Ferns' selector Leigh Gibbs recently told RNZ that in all midcourt positions they were looking for players who had the ability to change their game up depending on the opposition.
"You can't afford to play the same way and play at speed at all times so midcourters all need to be able to mix their game up.
"Being able to put the fast with the change of pace, the ability to feed with deception, and having those touches on the ball when you're being heavily marked," Gibbs said.
The tenacious Maddy Gordon has the makings to be the ultimate package at centre, being equally strong on defence and attack.
While Gordon has never actually played in the centre bib in an official Test, she's proven she's a quick study.
Gordon was a revelation at wing attack for the Pulse in 2020, a position she wasn't familiar with. It led to her first Silver Ferns' call-up.
After returning from injury early this season, she played a few games at centre for the Pulse before moving back to wing defence when Paris Lokotui got injured. She was great in both roles.
A terrier on court, Gordon's got pace and court smarts and won't be intimidated by any opposition so could get the nod at centre.
Shooters
Grace Nweke, Tiana Metuarau, and Ameliaranne Ekenasio should be lock-ins.
The fourth spot could be a head to head battle between incumbent Maia Wilson and Aliyah Dunn.
Wilson has been the Silver Ferns' starting goal shoot for the last couple of years but has shown inconsistency.
Dunn's four Tests for the Silver Ferns were way back in 2018. The 22-year-old was subsequently left out as she fell short of the fitness requirements.
Dunn is better conditioned now so fitness should not be barrier to her making the side for the Commonwealth Games.
The top ANZ shooter this year, she's accurate, puts up high volume and while she might have the odd quiet game, she doesn't have bad games.
Wilson started playing some of her best netball over the business end of the Premiership.
Her sharp movements and roll off the body are as quick as they come. But when Wilson is off she can be really off and get the shooting yips.
Aliyah Dunn has been the inform shooter this year. Photo: Photosport
Dunn and Metuarau also have a great understanding from their Pulse connection so you have a ready-made pairing.
If Ekenasio, who's coming back from having her second child, can't pass the fitness test, that opens up the the return of a Bailey Mes or Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Nweke and Metuarau only have 10 Test caps between them, so the shooting end is seriously light on experience without Ekenasio.
Mes has been playing with confidence this year and utilising her superb athleticism so might edge Selby-Rickit.
Defenders
With Jane Watson (maternity leave) and Karin Burger (injury) unavailable for the Silver Ferns, a new face could be brought into the defensive end.
Kelly Jury and Sulu Fitzpatrick should be lock ins at goal keep. The beauty of these two is they play such different games so will keep oppositions guessing.
Kristiana Manu'a is a hard nosed defender. Photo: Photosport
Jury is in sublime form and Fitzpatrick's leadership is needed.
Goal defence will be a critical role and the Silver Ferns' selectors will be thinking about who is best placed to mark Australian goal attacks Gretel Bueta and Steph Wood or a Helen Housby from the England Roses.
Elle Temu has had an incredible year at the Stars but might not be ready fitness-wise.
That leaves Silver Ferns Phoenix Karaka, or Kayla Johnson as options or potential debutants Kristiana Manu'a and Kate Burley.
The fact that Manu'a formed the best defensive unit in the ANZ Premiership alongside Jury could give her the edge. And having spent years playing her netball in Australia, the former Diamond could be just what the selectors are looking for.
With two netball world cups under her belt Karaka brings experience and a physical presence to the defensive circle.
Unfortunately Johnson very rarely got full games at the Stars this year and is also prone to niggles so selectors might be nervous about whether she can play several games over a week and a half.
On the 27th June 12 players will be announced in the Silver Ferns Commonwealth Games side. It's likely reserves will be named.
POTENTIAL TEAM:
Grace Nweke
Aliyah Dunn
Ameliaranne Ekenasio* (Bailey Mes if Ekenasio doesn't meet fitness requirements)
Tiana Metuarau
Gina Crampton
Shannon Saunders
Maddy Gordon
Sam Winders
Kristiana Manuá
Phoenix Karaka
Kelly Jury
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Reserves:
Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Kate Burley
