User:Liveste/Steel09

The 2009 Southern Steel season was the second season for the Southern Steel franchise competing the ANZ Championship, in 2009. The Steel were coached by Robyn Broughton and captained by returning Silver Fern Adine Wilson. After the initial round-robin stage, the Steel finished in fourth place, qualifying for their first semi-final. Nevertheless, they were defeated in the minor semi-final by the Adelaide Thunderbirds in their last game of the season.

Offseason and preseason games
For the 2009 season, the Steel welcomed the return of Southern Sting and Silver Ferns veterans Adine Wilson and Donna Wilkins, both of whom missed the 2008 season while on maternity leave; Wilkins also served as assistant coach for the Steel in 2008. The Steel tried to retain Australian shooter Megan Dehn, but their application was rejected by Netball New Zealand; nevertheless, Dehn played with the team in preseason tournaments and later as a permanent replacement player (PRP). However, the Steel were successful in a subsequent application for another Australian shooter – Leah Shoard, who played with the New South Wales Swifts in 2008.

Players
During the season, Lauren Burgess was called in as a temporary replacement for an injured Wendy Telfer. Daneka Wipiiti pulled out of the season after week 11 due to pregnancy; Megan Dehn was signed as a replacement shooter.