AFTER going so close in 2016 there was never going to be a need for much to change at the Joondalup Wolves coming into the 2017 Women's SBL season with Craig Friday's group primed and ready to make amends for that grand final defeat.

The vast majority of the Lady Wolfpack squad is back again for 2017 and looking to try and replicate the outstanding 2016 season that saw them claim the minor premiership, and then make it all the way to the grand final.

They certainly can't say they weren’t ready on grand final night either. It was a thrilling end to the season that came down to the last play of the night when unfortunately for Friday and his team, Willetton Tigers captain Kate Malpass found a way to score and win her team the title.

Friday is making no secret that some of his players, and even the coaches, have been using that to drive them on over the off-season. That won't stop throughout the 2017 season either.

"It did take some time to get over and I think a couple of players will use that as some motivation going into this season," Friday said.

"I know a couple are definitely using that as strong motivation and as a key to willing them on to want to get to have another opportunity at it. A couple of the coaches are still a bit fired up about it as well. It will give us good energy going forward there's no doubt about that."

Now with the pre-season over with and the season for the Wolves to begin this Saturday night at home to the Cockburn Cougars, Friday's looking forward to seeing how his team's preparation has gone.

"Pre-season can always be tough with some people missing this session or that session so it can be a little bit inconsistent, but of late we've started to put some good miles in the legs and get some skills into it," he said.

"We've put our principles in play and started to build towards the start of the season. The Blitz gives a bit of an insight of where some of our squad members sit.

"I already had a good understanding of what my core group could give me, it was more finding out about the depth and where my other squad members are at. We're tracking OK I think."

With the core group include Klara Wischer, Nikita Martin, Shani Amos and Ellyce Ironmonger all committing to return, Friday saw no reason to need to go on a recruiting spree for the Wolves.

That was both because of that core group returning and because of the exciting signs he is seeing in the young players he is bringing through.

"The positive thing for me is Chelsea Belcher, Shanice Swain and Cameron Flynn have taken some good steps forward and I think their time and opportunity will come at some stage this year and I'm looking forward to how they perform," Friday said.

"Continuity is important and the good thing about that is that you don’t have to revisit some of the simple philosophy, you can bypass that and move and add on and invent to what you're trying to implement.

"That's pleasing and that's the good thing about maintaining most of the group. We have added a couple of fresh faces to give the group some energy from the bottom up so hopefully we can continue to make some inroads as far as our depth and broaden how good our squad can be."

Swain was a late arrival into the group last year, but had some standout moments none better than 11 points with three triples in the deciding semi-final Game 3 win over the Perry Lakes Hawks.

She is now one player that Friday is looking to especially have an even more significant impact this year.

"Shanice moved from New Zealand to Perth once her mum was established here, and came in late so she didn’t start with us until after the season started," he said.

"She found her feet late but this off-season she's shed some kilos, she looks quicker and more comfortable, and she has a great set up away from the court job-wise.

"She's comfortable where she's living and has established herself in Perth so the upside for Shanice this year is unbelievable and she gives us a different dimension and a different look."

One new arrival for the Lady Wolfpack is Kelli Hayward.

Her career began with the Wolves and now she is making her return after stints with the Mandurah Magic also in the SBL, the Melbourne Tigers in the Big V, the South West Metro Pirates and Gold Coast Rollers in Queensland.

She also spent five years in the WNBL with the Perth Lynx so the 32-year-old returns to the Wolfpack with tremendous credentials and experience. If she can offer good production that will be a bonus, but Friday is especially excited with the leadership and experience she will provide.

"When I spoke to Kelli to start with the emotional side of it was a good thing too as far as a Wanneroo kid returning to her grassroots," Friday said.

"She's obviously been away and played at another club in the league and interstate and so on and so forth, but for her to come back at the back end of her career to the club she started with is massive.

"She gives us that bit of hardness but she also adds some quality to our leadership group in that she will provide our current leaders with some much-needed guidance. That is good for our leadership group as well as our entire group of players."

Ellyce Ironmonger was again a significant part of the Wolves' successful season last year.

She did miss the grand final and who knows how things might have been different if she was there, but that's all water under the bridge. Friday has no doubt she's ready for a big impact in 2017.

"She has set herself up well for this season," he said.

"She's had a well-balanced pre-season and has some fire in the belly, and is working really hard to make sure that she steps onto the court in great shape with a good mindset. She is ready to be even better than she was last year."

One player the Lady Wolfpack will be missing in 2017 is Amy Kidner. She took her game to another level last year to become perhaps the best post player in the women's SBL. That leaves a hole, but Friday is confident his team can do that and also that Kidner will return at some stage.

"Post players don't grow on trees and they are hard to find. She had a really solid season and we will miss her, but hopefully we can find someone to fill the void in the post," he said.

"And she will be back. Maybe not this season, but hopefully in the next two and in the meantime we'll try to find someone to fill the void until she returns."

Another development for Friday in the off-season was his appointment as head coach of the Australian Rollers men's wheelchair team.

Friday's association with the Rollers dates back to 2002 where he was the technical coach and then assistant under both Murray Treseder and Ben Ettridge at the 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games.

He was also assistant coach for the 2010 and 2014 World Championship teams before having to step away due to growing work commitments, and the impending arrival of his latest child.

But he felt the time was right and is honoured to be appointed head coach leading into the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

"I'm very proud of that honour," Friday said.

"I've had a long history with them and was a bit disappointed to have to step away for a couple of years, but in saying that it has been one of the most exciting times of my life with our family growing.

"Work has adjusted a little too now to allow me to step back into that role and I'm really looking forward to it. I get a great buzz out of coaching those guys."

Photo by Vikki Hile