2025 Netball Week 8 of 10: Central Pulse found their winning formula to outclass ladder leaders Mainland Tactix

Great to see the Central Pulse find their winning formula 2025 Netball after they’ve lost three straight weeks that puts them at risk of not making Top 3 finals but now they’re still hanging in there with two rounds left.

Pulse also listened well to feedback from their fans when utilising the expertise of Amorangi Malesala more often to help finish games strong at Goal Attack and yet Malesala delivered at the right moments like the two-shot time while Amelia Walmsley continues to sink in A + goals.

I mean the plan they’ve got has worked and Pulse should stay that way unless they’re stuck on the back foot of course so they know what to do from here.

Then there’s seasoned mid-counter Maddy Gordon, who also made the most out of her attacking capabilities particularly at wing attack, especially when Gabi Simpson was given the keys to steer the ship in her usual spot. 

It’s for the best sometimes when the Pulse were backed in a corner and just like how Maddy loves showing off her dance moves on TikTok, she also made the Tactix second guess themselves from sublime reading to quick bombs & waltzing jumps for her own runners with the Gilbert ball.

Looking at the Tactix, their good run across the last straight rounds plus the season opener win v Steel has now come to an end. They’re still leading the ladder though a bit longer depending on the Stars v Mystics match tomorrow night and Mystics just one point behind them on 18.

Again, they were absolutely confident of getting things done like it was last year and the same happened so far this season  irrespective of head coach. It just wasn’t the same today when a poor start on the back foot saw themselves trapped by Pulse mightily other than a good finish to the 4th quarter alone. Tactix cannot start games & then be risk averse like this which is something to think about if they want to win that Premiership next month.

Their best player there for this match? Martina Salmon at Goal Shoot. Even though she’s part Australian and NZer, Martina’s performances so far this season has put Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua on notice. She always rocks up close and also afar within the Super Shot circle having spent some of last season at the Pulse as well as Sunshine Coast Lightning a few years ago in QLD. 

At the end of the day, front foot supportive tactics has to be on point and maybe Martina could go on of the ANZP’s top shooters in 2025 ahead of Amelia Walmsley. Robust competition for each and against each other so Noeline knows what’s at stake without Grace Nweke.

The final score was 59-50 to Pulse over Tactix by a nine goal difference with Pulse just ahead of the Southern Steel based on goal difference on shared 13 points. 

Steel continued to record another win yesterday at home in Invercargill against the Magic from Waikato by 65-56.

It remains to be seen if Steel can not only keep their season alive and maybe score more goals to gain a small advantage but at the same time, they would like to see Pulse fall to Stars and/or Magic so Steel can have an extended crack instead. 

Tough ask when the battle for 3rd still neck and neck with Steel’s next meeting next Sunday v Mystics in Auckland will be their biggest test to date but good news is that Kate Heffernan and Kimiora Poi’s Real Steel line-up are ready to go all in from start to finish.