Megan Dehn is the final piece of the Northern Mystics jigsaw puzzle, one that is the strongest on paper since the ANZ Championship's inception three years ago.
Not surprisingly, the Southern Steel are gutted about the loss of their talented shooting captain after she failed to gain New Zealand citizenship.
The 35-year-old former Australian international is a major coup for the Mystics. She will bring experience and versatility to the bench behind Silver Ferns goal attack Maria Tutaia and New Zealand shooter in waiting Cathrine Latu.
Dehn's signing, plus Anna Scarlett's acquisition, brought confirmation that Jamaican defender Althea Byfield will be cut for 2011, as each franchise is entitled to one import.
Ferns pair Joline Henry and Scarlett will lock down the Mystics defence, which means Byfield will be looking for her third team in three years.
Mystics chief executive Mark Cameron thought the double international would struggle to remain in the world's only semi-professional netball league.
"From the looks of the 10 teams named, no I don't think she will be [in the competition]. I don't think there are any spots left," Cameron said.
"I think she's a talented player, the issue for us was it is an area of the court we are comfortable with."
Cameron was 'chuffed' at the franchise's smarter recruitment.
Dehn would be crucial in a condensed season that comprised multiple matches per-week, some within three days of each other. She would release the burden on front-liners as well as provide high-quality injury cover for a side that boasted five Silver Ferns.
"When you have someone like Megan sitting on the bench you know you've got a strong team," Cameron said. "You can see from the depth of the squad, the Mystics is a place players want to play for."
The Auckland-based team finished sixth last year and parted ways with coach Te Aroha Keenan.
Cameron said anything other than a top four play-off berth, in Debbie Fuller's first season as head coach, would be a disappointment.
"We languished down there in seventh and eighth for a couple of years and even this year we only moved up to sixth spot," he said.
"Let's make the top four and sit back and enjoy the semis and finals."
Mystics team:
Temepara George (c), Kayla Cullen, Megan Dehn, Joline Henry, Cathrine Latu, Kayla McAlister, Bailey Mes, Jessica Moulds, Grace Rasmussen, Rachel Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett and Maria Tutaia.