Steel linchpin set to play 100th game
Sitting on the bench as a then 18-year-old, Heffernan watched as her Southern Steel team-mates fought back from an 11-goal deficit to be crowned the ANZ Premiership champions in 2018.
Steel captain Wendy Frew, now head coach, charged towards the bench and leapt in the air where Heffernan lifted her jubilant leader in the now memorable photo.
It almost signalled what was to come in a changing of the guard as Frew retired that year and Heffernan stepped into her role.
"That's probably one of the coolest netball memories I've got," Heffernan said about winning the premiership.
"It just made me realise how much I wanted to be a Southern Steel player and go for a premiership.
"That was definitely a pretty cool thing to come straight into."
Heffernan, who was an injury replacement in 2018, was awarded a full contract in 2019 and has been the heart of the side since.
And tomorrow she will run out for her 100th game for the franchise, joining Frew and Shannon Saunders as the only players to bring up the milestone exclusively with the Steel.
"It's pretty cool ... to be able to play 100 games for one club.
"The Steel mean a lot to me."
Looking back on her early years, Heffernan recalled being stoked to soak up the knowledge of Silver Ferns midcourters Shannon Saunders and Gina Crampton.
"It was a bit of a dream, really," Heffernan said.
"It all happened probably pretty fast ... I do remember thinking I'm just so lucky to be here."
She came through the pathway as a centre-wing attack, but when the Steel came calling for a wing defence, she made the switch.
Heffernan spent her early days learning from Frew, whom Heffernan described as one of the best wing defences from the South.
"Cool to have crossed paths with her as a player and now obviously to have her as a coach."
The 25-year-old has grown a lot through the years, captaining the franchise and earning 39 caps for the Silver Ferns.
She has been a standout during a testing couple of seasons for the Steel and, while Heffernan said it had been "blow after blow" with setbacks, the team culture remained strong.
"There's just something special down here, for sure.
"While there hasn't been any premierships, there's been coming back from behind in extra time. There's just been lots of moments."
The Steel mean a lot to Heffernan. They backed her, and her twin sister, Georgia, from the start of their careers and have helped them grow on and off the court.
"The Southern Steel have a really special place in my heart.
"It's representing home for me which is pretty special.
"Just the people down here. The fans, the community — I don't know if you can go many places and you get much better."
There has been a feeling the tides are changing for the Steel this season — they are on a three-game winning steak and are in the playoff hunt — and a core group who have battled away would love nothing more than to succeed.
"Those of us that have been here the last few years, we just want to be part of the group that turns it around.
"We just want it so bad.
"Having the success of the last four rounds ... and having the momentum leading into playoffs is a position we haven't been in in a while, so we're pretty fizzed for it."
The Steel meet the top-of-the-table Northern Mystics in a must-win clash tomorrow.
Both sides are fighting for different reasons: the Mystics to secure a home final and the Steel to nail their playoff spot.
The Steel were pipped 55-54 in Dunedin last time, but they have proved they have what it takes to take down the defending champions.
"For us I think it's do or die.
"What's been quite cool is the last three, or four, games have been do or die and we've been able to really come together and get the results, which in previous years it hasn't quite clicked in that way.
"I have the belief, and trust, and I feel quite confident that we can, which is exciting.
"We know that we can do it against them and they're not unbeatable."
Steel defender Carys Stythe brings up her 50th game. ANZ Premiership
Tomorrow, Auckland, 4pm
Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai'inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Khayne'-Lii Munro-Nonoa.
Northern Mystics: Donnell Wallam, Filda Vui, Hannah Glen, Peta Toeava, Tayla Earle, Katie Te Ao, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Holly Rae, Catherine Hall, Charlotte Manley.
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