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A look back on 2024 Fast5 Netball from last weekend and a huge year from Silver Ferns and Netball New Zealand going into 2025

by Sports Benches

International Netball may be over for now in 2024 but at least we witnessed such a stunning and a bit controversial Fast5 Netball tournament from Christchurch last weekend with the Aussies being crowned champions yet again.

Yes, we had another Trans-Tasman rivalry this time at when both sides advanced into the Cup final beforehand knowing NZ have already beaten Australia several times recently when it comes to the standard version of the game in the Constellation Cup.

NZ were off to good start particularly for most of the first half ahead of the break by nine goals (14-23), but then they’ve lost their way unfortunately whilst leading in the latter stages that allowed Australia to play catch up before they stole the show towards the end by a close four goal gap (34-30) at full-time.

You just never know what could happen in this fast-paced netball format, especially when making the most out of these powerplay features just within that circle line every time it’s active minutes before the end of each quarter – congratulations to the Aussies with the Fast5 championship win for yet another year in 2024.

For now, I guess there won’t be January netball with the Nations Cup over in England. The hosts decided to do things differently right now with a four-match series against Jamaica starting this weekend where the first two games will be at home and the last two being away to the Caribbean much like our Constellation Cup Series with the Diamonds and Silver Ferns. 

Although there might still be a possibility of Ferns going to play in Fiji instead alongside the Diamonds, we’ll have to wait and see for that one. For now, it’s been a big year for NZ Netball in 2024 from the Northern Mystics retaining their ANZ Premiership title over their one-goal grand final win v Central Pulse to losing 2-1 v England and now recently won the Trans-Tasman battle including a historic Game 3 away win v Diamonds to reclaim the series trophy. 

2025 will be much different though when the Ferns won’t be able to use the services of their star goal shooter Grace Nweke who is now in Sydney to test herself in Super Netball for the NSW Swifts. Let’s hope this will last for at least one season if not two ahead of the 2027 World Cup & who knows if NZ will get their way into Aussie shores at some point once again when it comes to their Trans-Tasman opportunities at Domestic level. 

I’d personally like to see a bit more exposure for foreign players coming there (i.e. 2-3 players than 1) that will help improve the current and future Ferns players just like the Aussies have done to them recently by coming over for more game time. But again, we still don’t know what the long-term framework will look like for Netball NZ including their next TV deal from 2026.

And last but not least, it’s been also good looking at Netball once again after being in and out over the past few years – can’t wait to watch this all over again in 2025.

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2024 Constellation Cup Game 1: Silver Ferns too good to begin the four-game series by 14 goals over the Aussie Diamonds in Wellington

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, the Silver Ferns are on a roll to kickstart the 2024 Constellation Cup Series with a win on home soil at TSB Arena in Wellington. Not only the Ferns got away with a tight first quarter but they too were so dominant in the 2nd 15 going into half-time by nine goals over the Aussie Diamonds at half-time (34-25). 

Yes, the Diamonds did play catch-up having won the third quarter alone as they were only seven goals behind (47-40) at three quarter time. But at the end of the day, it was barely even enough to steer the ship for the Diamonds as the Ferns kept on extending their lead thanks to a formula that was simply just fine like it was in the dead rubber 3rd Test win v England. 

Although Head Coach Dame Noelene Taurua was happy enough to make these late changes off the bench when she had nothing left to lose as the clock ticks down. She couldn’t be more prouder than that to see her Ferns side win by a comfortable 14-goal win (60-54) with 1-0 up in the series as there’s three more games to go in this Trans-Tasman contest.

First things first, let’s start with Kate Heffernan who was brought back into the Silver Ferns starting line up tonight at Wing Defense. Not only she was outstanding mainly in defense but also restarted well in attack every time she has the ball. That’s all you need to know about Kate as this has been her best game tonight and also coming from her best position too, especially when you got her new Steel (and also current Ferns) team-mate Kimiora Poi coming over next season – another plus too for Southland. Yes, we wished Kate would put in the exact same shift when the Ferns recently played v England. But class is permanent & she wants to keep on going until Kate is happy what she wants such as the series trophy.

Next up is Maddy Gordon in the middle of the Ferns engine as she never disappoints every time on-court like imagine if she gets to play Super Netball but still allowed to play for her country? She would’ve helped them retain the Taini Jamison Trophy. But still long way to go though at present with the Constellation Cup & what Maddy wants to do now is keep that good form up for Game 2 on Wednesday (Auckland) before all in & hope she can help bring home that Trans-Tasman series trophy. For now, she worked really well like the read/communication that got the best out of the Ferns front two in Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Goal Attack) & Grace Nweke (Goal Shooter) – even from long range like a rocket as seen with the Central Pulse.

And Sarah Klau did the best she can in a Diamonds shirt when she came on for Jo Weston at goal defense. She’s so important when needed in both crucial defensive positions as seen with the NSW Swifts, having denied the Ferns some attacking opportunities along the way while winning that 3rd quarter win alone. If she started this match then that might have added some more confidence considering she’s has a plethora of experience in a championship-winning side before. It’s a shame that the Diamonds attack looked bereft unfortunately tonight, particularly with their mid-court & front two. Still more time to turn things around as they’re not panicking just yet with three games to go.

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2024 Taini Jamison Trophy: Silver Ferns bounce back even they kept their starting 7 throughout the full hour with the late win

by Sports Benches

The Silver Ferns may not have come here tonight for the Taini Jamison Trophy since the series has already been decided the other day to the England Roses. However, they have at least something to offer ahead of the upcoming four-game Constellation Cup series later month following their five goal win in Invercargill by 61-56. They’ve won most quarters other than the 3rd with the four-goal lead from half-time where the Ferns still struggled at times such as ball retention, etc. 

Also, coach Dame Noeline Taurua may not had made any changes – despite leading by a few goals when she could’ve just make 1-2 late fresh faces as if it was a practice game ahead of the Trans-Tasman series. But again, a win is a win after all to finish things off on a high.

The Constellation Cup will begin two weeks from now on Sunday 20th October in Wellington followed by Auckland for Game 2 a few days later on Wednesday 23rd October. Then they will fly out to Australia to compete another two games there also Sunday 27th October in Perth and Wednesday 30th October in Melbourne to finish off the 2024 season.

Kelly Jackson, take a bow!! as She has been the Great Wall keeper of the Silver Ferns defensive back three after an outstanding performance tonight to shut down the England Roses pair of Helen Housby and Liv Tchine. She never disappoints every time she stars on-court at all levels including the highest Internationally. Also, she’s got her Central Pulse team-mate Parris Mason by her side including Maddy Gordon, who fortunately didn’t get hauled off this time at Centre which was good to see. No doubt we will see more of this trio later this month when they will take on the Aussie Diamonds.

Next up is the Silver Ferns Captain and veteran goal attack specalist Ameliaranne Ekenasio, having barely looked out of place as always alongside sharp shooter Grace Nweke in the Ferns attacking front two. She got away with 13 out of 14 shots at a total of 93% where she credits a functional mid-court pack that got the best out of her and Grace. They were able to help the Ferns win most of the quarters other than the 3rd part, which still needs some work as it’s something the Ferns need to work next time when they will take on the Aussie Diamonds. But other than that, a win is a win after all – despite not able to retain the Taini Jamison Trophy.

And last but not least, Liv Tchine’s stock is rising as England’s mainstay goal shooter at 22 years of age. She’s been making waves before at Domestic level with London Pulse in the Netball Superleague & Liv does not disappoint at all in the England Roses thanks to the likes of NSW Swifts star Helen Housby & another youngster Lois Pearson around her. Yes, Game 3 may have been a dead rubber when their back and mid-court areas might not have quite gelled as they would’ve like – especially when the Roses were chopping and changing with their bench while seeing a couple of new players getting tested here. But at least Liv knows where the net is and she’s loves doing this for fun as congratulations with the series win & sure we’ll hear more from her next time including Super Netball in Australia if she wants to test herself at the highest of levels at some point.

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Netball: England Roses too good over the Ferns in Game 2 by four goals that was enough to clinch the Taini Jaimson Trophy Series with one game to spare this Sunday

by Sports Benches

So there you have it, England have not only won Game 2 but also the Taini Jamison Trophy series at Te Rauparaha Arena with one game left going into this Sunday in Invercargill. Silver Ferns as we know it were always effective with their good starts having won the first quarter alone (16-13) followed by the first half (28-27). Then England began to flip the script when they were leading by a good gap of 4-8 goals, Although the Ferns did the best they can that late to stop the trophy from leaving its own shores. But at the end of the day, too good from England who were very certain to win this game once again by four goals (55-59) on top of a nail-biter Game 1 the other day (58-59). 

How can you not ignore Lois Pearson when she was an excellent support player to the England Roses front two tonight at Wing Attack? She’s got all sorts of running athleticism and the range of passing needed to help find her shooters in Helen Housby and Liv Tchine as well as being sound in defense thanks to the Ferns huge weakness through the mid-court. It turns out the Roses were leading so comfortably by a few goals while the game goes on, particularly throughout the 2nd half and yet Lois couldn’t go any wrong off the back of her excellent season both Domestic & Internationally. Keep a good eye on her over the next coming years as she will keep on getting better with age as being part of a winning series is a great first step & who knows if she’ll be willing to play in Australia’s Super Netball later on.

Here’s another England Roses player that also made a huge difference to stay well ahead of the Silver Ferns and it’s Beth Cobden who came on as reserve at Wing Defense. She brings a wealth of experience to the national setup, having kept a great eye on the Ferns mid-court area & Beth helped taken advantage of their errors with great hands. Goes to show she’s always needed when she’s ready even when Beth is also good with leadership around such a young and talented squad. Looks like she isn’t done just yet so she can make sure the Roses can be on top every time, next time – just like that series win tonight in Game No.2.

And Maddy Gordon was the one the Silver Ferns have been so desperate to stop the Roses in their tracks through the middle at centre thanks to the Ferns’ fast start and late comeback bid. Okay, as we all know, she was injured earlier this season and had to be on managed minutes on her way back on-court. But that doesn’t mean this can apply the same at International level and what happened without Maddy is that the Ferns weren’t simply dynamic as the Roses beyond the back defensive three & unfortunately, they left it too late when it comes to poor selection + chopping & changing tactics. They will have to wait next year to get that Taini Jamison Trophy back but they have to use Game 3 now as a practice match for the Constellation Cup v the Aussie Diamonds later this month.

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2024 ANZ Premiership Grand Final: Northern Mystics go back-to-back Champions over the Minor Premiers Central Pulse 53-53 thanks to Grace Nweke’s championship-winning shot

by Sports Benches

What a Grand Final we had just witnessed from TSB Bank Arena in Wellington through the best 60 minute tug-o-war between Minor Premiers Central Pulse and Defending champions and also last weekend’s Elmination Final winner Northern Mystics. Mystics fired off really well while Pulse overcame their poor start that follows up with an improved 2nd x 15 min performance as Mystics lead by two goals going into half-time, 25-27. 

Both teams continued to work so hard whose gap for the overall lead was so close together that went down the wire during the other side of these last half-hour. At the end of the day though, it was the Mystics who got away with another Premiership triumph once again at the very last second by a solitary goal 53-54 thanks to star goal shooter Grace Nweke.

This is the Mystics 3rd title since its inception back in 2017 having first won it during the start of the 2020s in 2021 followed by back-to-back years of dominance including today’s grand final that began last year. After 45 regular round games across 15 weeks as well as 2 season-ending match-ups, we now can’t wait for the home Silver Ferns season beginning with the three-match series v the Vitality Roses from England next month.

Looks like the Silver Ferns is ready to go with the now 3 x championship-winning goal shooter who also just scored the last-second championship-winning shot in 22-year-old Grace Nweke for the Northern Mystics. She too got away with 48 out of 55 shots in front of the circle including three rebounds and four general play turnovers at a total of 87%, especially when it’s never so easy going up against the best of the best in the 2024 ANZ Premiership Grand Final. Congrats to her by the way as go enjoy your GF win!!

Another Mystics player to look out for in this year’s GF is the experienced Peta Toeava at Wing Attack. She also has been outstanding all season where Toeava has been an excellent supportive attacking player that allows her front two to get ahead on the scoring thanks to her excellent physicality and skillset in spite of her height. She racked up 28 goal-assists, 23 centre pass receives & 35 feeds which was amazing as above every time when Toeava got the best out of Grace Nweke & Filda Vui. We don’t know what the future holds for Nweke but Toeava kept the No.1 Mystics cohort strong from 3rd in the regular to ANZ Premiership champions once again.

And Central Pulse Goal Keeper Kelly Jackson gave the Mystics front two attackers a really tough time all along that reflects her natural game where she’s been there and done that many times before at all top levels including International matches following an excellent 2024 campaign as Minor Premiers. She has the tall reach as always to snatch the ball away every time the Mystics looked hesitant, having collected three rebounds and one intercept. It’s just a shame that her side’s attack looked hesitant themselves, particularly in the last few minutes before it was too little, too late.

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Netball News: The 2024 ANZ Premiership Final is all set for next Sunday with Central Pulse v Northern Mystics after the Mystics four-goal win yesterday v Mainland Tactix

by Sports Benches

Oh so close on what has been a cracking elimination final decider yesterday afternoon between the Mainland Tactix & Northern Mystics at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch. There can only be one winner who will go on to meet the Minor Premiers Central Pulse for next Sunday’s Final at TSB Arena in Wellington while the losing side will have to bow out outside the Top 2. In the end, it was the defending champs Mystics who got away over the Tactix with the four-goal win 64-68. 

Now it’s going to be a brilliant finish to the 2024 ANZ Premiership season with one match to go before we look at the Silver Ferns International season starting with England at home (3 x game series) in September.

How good was Katie Te Ao off the bench when she came on to turn the Elimination Final around that puts the Mystics into the Grand Final once again, especially in the last few minutes in the middle of the park for Tayla Earle. She’s really quick alongside her decent height and can also drop down a bit at wing defense too but what’s really good about Te Ao is the way she bridged these ball through the attacking third that gave Grace Nweke (goal shooter) & Filda Vui (goal attack) the run of her money. Keep an eye for her going into next week’s Final whether it’s in the starting seven or as an impact sub.

Then we’ve got the experienced Mystics defender Phoenix Karaka who worked so hard to stop the Tactix from conceding goals whether if she’s at goal keeper or goal defender. Although she was much better though at goal defender where not only she worked well alongside her team-mate Catherine Hall, Karaka also got the best out of her defensive abilities including five intercepts every time the Tactix unable to find their own like Ellie Bird to shoot through the circle. The work isn’t done yet as Karaka hopes to bring home another Grand Final win for the Mystics despite finishing 3rd in the regular season.

And great to see Ellie Bird given the nod as goal shooter after being frozen out during the last regular season game v Pulse. She too knows how to get going thanks to her experience and tall physical frame that puts the Tactix on the front foot. It’s a shame that a couple of attacking handling errors & incomplete passes unfortunately gave the ball away, especially in the last few minutes before it was too little, too late. Bird came out of retirement this season, so interesting to see if she will stick around or just help out soon enough.

It’s been a good season though for the most part by the Tactix thanks to their experienced defense as wish Marianne Delaney-Hoshek the best of luck with a new coach set to take over going into the 2025 season.

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ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse go straight into the Grand Final alongside the Minor Cup after a 14-goal win over the Mainland Tactix 

by Sports Benches

The regular phase of the 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball season is now over after 15 weeks across 45 games as we turn our attention to the last two Playoff games that will set up a brilliant finish for the Grand Final where there can only be one winner to take home the major championship come Sunday 4th August.

This last regular-season match belongs to the Pulse fair and square where they’ve started so well off the back of an unbeaten first-half run that puts them into a decent lead up front by nine goal at half-time, 31-22. Yes, the Tactix did win the 3rd quarter alone, having began to play catch-up as the game isn’t over yet with a six-point trail (42-36) going into the final quarter. 

But then that comeback was short lived off the back of the Tactix’s poor attacking play and tactics as Pulse went on to extend their lead as further as they can towards the end with a 14-goal win, 58-44. Not only the Pulse won the minor premiership, they too now go straight into the Grand Final with a two-week rest.  For now, it’s all eyes in the Elimination Final this weekend — it’s either going to be the Tactix again who had to finish 2nd on the ladder or defending champions Northern Mystics after they safeguarded 3rd over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic thanks to their final round win v Stars.

Tiana Meruarau has been unbelievable that kept the Pulse ticking tonight at goal attack as her side is now going straight into the grand final with the minor premiership. She’s blessed with the strong defense led by skipper Kelly Jackson off the back of the Tactix’s poor conversion play where Tiana knows where to find her shooter while she can shoot from a far whenever it’s convenient in order to get the job done into the net. She had 10 centre pass receives, 30 feeds, 6 goals and 21 goal assists that reflected her huge impact for the Pulse. The job is not done yet where a huge final win would give her the chance to translate her game for the Silver Ferns soon enough later this year. 

Gotta say Maddy Gordon kept the game going for the Pulse in the middle even though she didn’t start the game due to her recent return from injury, especially when her side got away unscathed towards the end with the win. She never stops running around that gave attackers the chance to get as many goals as she can every time Jackson and co. stopped the Tactix in its tracks. Out of the 43 minutes she played tonight, she had 12 goal assists & 21 feeds – which was good work being paid off. Yes, heard she came off sore; but surely that won’t affect her too much since she’s on managed minutes with a two-week rest time before the Final.

And Jane Watson did the best she can to stop the Pulse from scoring who stood her ground as always defensively behind the goal posts for the Tactix. She isn’t afraid to steal the ball from up high with a couple of intercepts/turnover being recorded that gave her team the chance to get things done at the other end including that improved 3rd quarter after half-time. It’s just a shame really that the Tactix’s attacking play is not good tonight where they were so far behind for the most part as getting Ellie Bird on until the last few minutes really cost them before it was even over. Tactix do have a 2nd chance though but need to win v Northern Mystics first in the Elimination Final this Saturday.

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2024 ANZ Premiership R14/15: Northern Stars hold off the Southern Steel after a successful late tussle with the one goal win

by Sports Benches

It’s been oh so close between the 5th v 6th/bottom two teams in the Northern Stars & Southern Steel to finish off Round 14 of the 2024 ANZ Premiership Season in Dunedin with one last regular season round remaining this weekend. Steel always off to a great start but it was the Stars who held them up throughout the first half where they were one goal up at half-time, 27-28.

Although Steel again rebounded as if the start repeated itself with some really good improvements that gave them a two-goal advantage at three quarter time (41-39), but just couldn’t hold on a bit longer towards the end there unfortunately. At the end of the day, it was Stars with the win once again by just a solitary goal to close the second last round of the 2024 season, 53-54.

First of all, skipper Maia Wilson had an amazing night as the main Northern Stars shooter. She netted a near perfect accuracy towards goal of 97%, having missed only one shot out of 39 attempts throughout the night v Steel. Yes, Stars may be low on possession but gotta credit her team’s defense on exposing the Steel’s isolated attack before Maia was able to get the job done with the net right in front of her off the back of a brilliant counter-attack feed through the channels. It led to a good few points lead at the half-time break followed by an excellent end with the win as although things may not be the same this year when it comes to the Top 3 down in 5th, but Maia is always going places including at International level for the Silver Ferns.

Here’s another standout Stars player this time in the back three tonight in Kate Burley at goal keeper who is flexible amongst multiple defensive roles along with her excellent physicality and athleticism to deflect one away from the net at her own danger zone. She had really great start actually that made the Steel front three so hesitant under pressure before Kate was able to throw onto the other side where goals coming her way for the most part including that crucial final few minutes with three rebounds of her own including three intercepts for the best of the Stars. When she came off, the Steel were a couple of goals ahead where the Stars began to slip away at one stage. However, glad she saved the day when she can back on to help steer victory once again for the Stars with unfinished business ahead in the hope of returning to its former glory in 2025.

Now it might not have taken that long to settle in for Serina Daunakamakama in the south when she was at the Northern Mystics as a training partner earlier this season but she had another great game though that reflects her progress within the senior level at Wing Attack. She picked up as many balls as possible with the most feeds of 36 in order to find her front two thanks to her team’s good start on top of a good defense as usual alongside skipper Kate Heffernan in the mid-court. That way, Georgia Heffernan and Grace Namama can help finish things off within the circle where the Steel were so close of winning this one again off the back of an improved 3rd quarter. But then the Stars’s scrambled defense proved so difficult for them in the end where mistakes were being made made under pressure before the Stars stole the show even if it’s by a small margin, particularly in the last few mins on what has been another difficult year to end up 6th & last once again for the Steel. 

And lastly, wishing Reigna Bloxam all the best ahead of her last game as the Steel head coach this weekend v the Magic after giving back for so long before she heads off overseas while a new era awaits in the hope the Steel can rejuvenate next season.

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ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse capped off an amazing finish to Round 13 with the five goal win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic with two key players back tonight from injury

by Sports Benches

So there we have it, the Central Pulse have stole the show that was supposed to be the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic at Globox Arena in Hamilton by five goals, 48-53. It was a Magic first half who controlled the court very nicely despite some good moments from the Pulse off the back of an excellent start to the match where Pulse were four goals behind at half-time, 26-22. Now the 3rd quarter might still be under the Magic for a bit longer but a series of changes off the bench from the Pulse forced their hand with the win including two key players back from injury, such as Amelia Warmsley & Maddy Gordon. Not only that, the Pulse regained top spot ahead of the Mainland Tactix yet again on the ANZ Premiership ladder while Magic need to show something special now if they wish to play Finals netball this year as we go into Round 14 of 15 this weekend.

Whitney Souness has been working so hard throughout the full hour that got away with the Pulse win in Hamilton at wing attack. She’s got the athleticism and mobility to manufacture her team’s impressive start where goals were made there off her passing supply despite being a bit behind for the most part. However, gotta say the 2nd half got the best out of her game thanks to a few returning players off the bench from the treatment room including reserve goal shooter Amelia Warmsley while turning the tide from the Magic’s series of late errors. She knows what it takes to be at her best in a winning side and tonight was another of these matches Whitney took part in the starting 7 in the hope of holding off 1st with two rounds to go and then some extra preparation if possible would do it to sweep home towards the Grand Final and go all in for the win.

Then we’ve got another Pulse standout star this time in the back three in none other than goal defender Parris Mason, who as said kept the Magic attack quiet, particularly when she & her side were able to turn things around big time throughout the 2nd half. Every time the Magic felt hesitant or isolated, Parris read really well before she applied with excellent physical and multi-sport skills to keep that ball play going alongside her towering team-mate Kelly Jackson – which was job well done where goals and the eventual lead towards the finish line went her way. She’s doing the best she can now to finish off the regular season on a high as the No.1 ranked team by proving to the Tall Ferns (women’s b’ball) that Parris is indeed looking to win from somewhere that isn’t the Olympics after being left out a few months ago but with the ANZ Premiership crown.

And Magic goal shooter Saviour Tui did the best she can to put her team on the map where her side just couldn’t stay up front as the clock ticks down at goal shooter. As said, the Magic led the way for the most part thanks to a functioning back three defense of their own alongside a hard-working Claire O’Brien present to give Tui the shooting stuff she needs to get into the net. But what really lets her down is Magic benching her off the court later on while witnessing a series of mistakes that slipped away to the hands of the Pulse towards the end. It didn’t work unfortunately without Tui’s fun-loving goal scoring opportunities to finish off inside the circle. With two rounds to go, Tui needs her team’s support to wrestle back that 3rd and final spot for the elimination final & hope that Northern Mystics lose the last two games v Pulse & Northern Stars.

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ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse too good to pull off the way with a 27-goal win (38-65) after a close first 15 mins v Southern Steel

by Sports Benches

As we all know, the Southern Steel had a great start with by going through the basics – which reflected the team’s great start. However, it was the same old, same old unfortunately if you look at the state of this side where the Steel were way off the pace for the majority including against the ladder leaders (once again) in the Central Pulse tonight. Pulse were leading big time going into the half-time break by eight goals 17-25 before they doubled then tripled their lead throughout the 2nd half unchallenged with the win by an easy 27 goal contest v Steel at ITL Stadium in Southland, Invercargill 38-65. Three regular rounds to go before Finals time with Steel v Mystics in Auckland this Sunday & Pulse back next Monday v Magic (away again).

The spotlight player of the night starts with none of than Aussie raised but Kiwi-born Martina Salmon at the front of the Pulse attack as goal shooter. She’s blessed with the Southern Steel’s toothless attack & her side’s solid defensive efforts at the other end, having successfully shot 85% of the goals right in front of the net. As said, sure she’s well travelled along with a towering build who spent some time training at other teams in the past such as Sunshine Coast Lightning & the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. But again, she’s got unfinished business when she was thrown into the deep end at ANZ Premiership back in Round 6 for the Pulse rather than having to play in NZ’s second-tier netball comp. But she made such an instant impact as sure she’ll keep on learning on before she can fulfil her full potential someday what has been a great few games so far at this top level.

Then you got another Pulse towering player this time at the back and she too is experienced at both Domestic & International in her prime is Kelly Jackson (nee Jury) as the main goalkeeper. Every time you struggle to put the pieces together, Kelly steps in to steal the ball away from anyone’s opposition fingertips with her long arms that gave plenty of time for her team to get the job done – which was mission accomplished under her watch very easily v the vulnerable Steel. Not only that she’s provided excellent leadership and communication in the Pulse back three on what has been another great season for her off the back of a busy 2023 including the World Cup on-court as well as her marriage to husband Cameron Jackson off-court.

And Kate Heffernan was one of the Steel’s beneficiaries on what has been yet another underwhelming match as a whole team in the middle. She’s got excellent all-round mobility likewise with her twin sister Georgia in the same team at Goal Assist as being tested both defensively to protect her back three and also in attack where she can get away quick smart to try and get things done at the other end. Kate ended up with 19 goal assists along with 36 feeds and a few general play turnovers that reflected the Steel’s good first 15 minutes of the night with credit to their great defensive basics. Yes, things could’ve been a lot better if the Steel managed to build on their good start by cutting these handling errors with her being the team’s main goal supplier towards the circle so they would be neck in neck v Steel instead of being so far behind from here. All she wants to do is end this season on a high since Top 3 isn’t possible that would hopefully benefit her personally for the Silver Ferns.

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