The Lightning had one of the soundest defences in the league in coach Matt Hills' first season at the helm but there was a clear deficiency on the attacking end.

"We had one of the better defences in the competition last season but couldn't score a high volume of goals," he said.

A front-line goaler was at the head of the Lightning's wish-list and they hit their target with the acquisition of Melissa Macauley, who arrives from the North East Blaze and is likely to slot straight into a starting position.

"She's a very handy pick-up," Hills said.

"She's an experienced senior player who was looking for a change."

Three players with interstate experience have arrived to bolster the Lightning's depth chart.

Megan Fitzpatrick, a goaler with Australian Netball League experience recruited from the Northern Territory, could feature alongside Macauley.

Madeline Carter (Tasmania) will be a nice addition to the centre court and Nyree Langdon (ACT) will boost the defence.

The Lightning kick-started its lengthy preseason campaign eight weeks before Christmas.

It finally got to don the bibs in competitive preseason action at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.