"That list deserves every ounce of pressure that will come with it for the entire season," says Gaudion, a one-time Melbourne Kestrel, now broadcaster. "And whether that's from commentary, from media or whatever, we'll be putting it on them, because from the get-go, they said they were going to go big, they've set the bar, and good on 'em. Whether it's the list or just because it's Collingwood, people are gonna fire bullets.

"If they don't win next year, they have failed, That doesn't necessarily mean that other teams don't have the capacity to win next year but, with that list, Collingwood should expect to win next year. You can not compare that list to any other team in the league; it is by far the best list. It's extraordinary … Every team is being judged by its list and at this point in time that list should be disappointed if they didn't win the 2017 National Netball League."

The deadline for squad lodgement was on Friday, which only served to confirm much of what was already known: the three new licence-holders will not be Gold Coast-style easybeats in their first few seasons, the vast majority of the eight teams have taken advantage of the removal of the one-import restriction, and circle defenders are in shortest supply.

"The story for me next year will be all about defence. Defenders across the board, it's light-on - except for Collingwood," said Gaudion, nominating Diamonds/Magpies Sharni Layton and April Brandley as the standout pair, although the new Storm-backed GWS Lightning boasts the considerable experience of former Vixen Geva Mentor and South African international Karla Mostert.

The Vixens and Swifts, by comparison, are relying on youth, but high-quality youth, typified by Jo Weston, Emily Mannix and Maddy Turner. In Queensland, the reigning premier Firebirds have lost stalwarts Laura Geitz (pregnancy) and Clare McMeniman (retirement) at the back, as well as the midcourt defensive skills of star Kim Ravaillion (Magpies), although their formidable frontline remains intact.

Overall, the biggest losers appear to be West Coast Fever, whose starting seven has been ravaged by the east coasters, including captain Ash Brazill (yes, Collingwood), and the dominant Caitlin Bassett (Lightning). Only in 2015 have they played finals, having long been regarded as a short-term destination for those chasing opportunities before heading back across the Nullarbor.

"Swifts and Vixens will rebound - I don't worry about them at all. Look at the talent that comes through in those states, and there will always be players who want to return home," said Perth-based Gaudion, who sees the greatest upside in Rob Wright's rebuilt young NSW list.

"I think the concerns are more for a West Coast Fever, they're the ones that are hit hardest for numerous reasons: in particular, distance is tough, and there are so many other opportunities now. That team worked so hard to get to where it did last year … for me, they will tumble, and they're going to have to start again. West Coast Fever are currently and in the forseeable future in the toughest predicament."

And then there's Collingwood, which started with nothing, but also everything, and lured some of the best talent in the land either home or away while remaining under the $675,000 salary cap and earning heavy favouritism more than four months before their maiden season even begins.

How it is so? It's a question that could be asked, and has been. Why was there not a draft, weighted points system for recruits or other equalisation measure? Gaudion says that could not come while the sport remained semi-professional, for who can force players with outside jobs and study commitments to relocate against their will for a minimum wage of – an admittedly much-improved – $27,375?

"I think the three new teams have all done very well," says Vixens coach Simone McKinnis, who has retained the bulk of her list despite losing captain Madi Robinson and Alice Teague-Neeld to you-know-where, plus the veteran Mentor. "Obviously for some players it's an opportunity to go home, or an opportunity to start afresh and sometimes it's easier to go to a new team than to an existing competitor. But I do think it's important that they are competitive."

To Gaudion, if the new clubs appear likely to flourish at the expense of some of the old ones, then that is neither a surprise, nor a shame. "I just think that the great beauty for netball is that the movement makes it feel like it's new and fresh," she said. "It feels different and I think that is absolutely critical for this league to get the kickstart that it needs.

"Yeah, Collingwood look like the winner, but across the board, for the sport itself it's a big boon that the movement has happened the way it has. I know this sounds a bit cliched, but the winner is netball."

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2017 NATIONAL NETBALL LEAGUE LISTS

THE NEWCOMERS:

COLLINGWOOD:

Shooters: Caitlin Thwaites, Cody Lange, Alice Teague-Neeld. Midcourt: Madi Robinson,  Kim Ravaillion, Ash Brazill, Shae Brown. Defenders: April Brandley, Sharni Layton, Micaela Wilson. Coach: Kristy Keppich-Birrell.

GIANTS NETBALL

Shooters: Jo Harten, Susan Pettitt, Kristina Brice. Midcourt: Kim Green, Taylah Davies, Serena Guthrie, Jamie-Lee Price. Defenders: Kristiana Manu'a, Toni Anderson, Samantha Poolman, Coach: Juie Fitzgerald.

SUNSHINE COAST LIGHTNING

Shooters: Caitlin Bassett, Stephanie Wood, Cara Koenen. Midcourt: Laura Langman, Laura Scherian, Kelsey Browne, Madeline McAuliffe. Defenders: Geva Mentor, Erena Mikaere, Karla Mostert. Coach: Noeline Taurua

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THE INCUMBENTS (key moves):

ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS:

Staying: Erin Bell, Jade Clarke. Coming: Karyn Bailey (Vixens), Ama Agbeze (England), Chelsea Locke (Pulse), Malysha Kelly (Jamaica). Going: Renae Ingles, Carla Borrego, Kate Shimmin, Poolman. Coach: Dan Ryan.

MELBOURNE VIXENS

Staying: Jo Weston, Liz Watson, Kate Moloney, Emma Ryde. Coming: Mwai Kumwenda (Tactix), Khao Watts (Thunderbirds), Kadie-Ann Dehaney (Jamaica), Tegan Phillip (back from injury). Going: Robinson, Mentor, Teague-Neeld, Bailey. Coach: Simone McKinnis.

NSW SWIFTS

Staying: Paige Hadley, Maddy Turner, Abby McCulloch. Coming: Helen Housby (England), Sammy Wallace (Trinidad and Tobago), Maddy Proud )T-birds). Going: Layton, Thwaites, Green, Pettitt, Wood. Coach: Rob Wright.

QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS

Staying: Romelda Aiken, Gretel Tippet, Caitlyn Nevins, Gabi Simpson. Coming: Shimmin (T-birds). Going: Laura Geitz, Ravaillion, Clare McMeniman. Coach: Roselee Jencke.

WEST COAST FEVER

Staying: Nat Medhurst, Courtney Bruce, Verity Simmons. Coming: Stacey Francis (England). Going: Bassett, Brazill, Brandley, Brown. Coach: Stacey Rosman.