The seventh edition of the ANZ Premiership kicks into gear on Saturday with July’s Netball World Cup in Cape Town looming large. Fringe Silver Ferns will be fighting for the final spots in the squad, while established names will be looking to lead the way and show why they deserve starting berths. Brendon Egan casts his eye over the six teams.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Silver Ferns’ goal shoot Grace Nweke will again be critical to the Mystics’ title hopes.
Mystics
Coach: Tia Winikerei
Squad: Katie Te Ao, Carys Stythe, Filda Vui, Grace Nweke, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Monica Falkner, Peta Toeava, Phoenix Karaka, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Tayla Earle.
Key gains: Carys Stythe (full contract), Katie Te Ao (Magic 2021 training partner)
Key losses: Fa’amu Ioane (Pulse), Claire O’Brien
TAB title odds: $2.75
Outlook: The Mystics looked to be heading towards back-to-back titles last season until star shooter Grace Nweke suffered an ankle injury late in round play. Without Nweke, the previously top of the table Mystics, resembled a different team, losing their final four round games. Nweke returned for the elimination final against the Stars, but the Mystics couldn’t halt their losing run. With a healthy Nweke and established squad, the Mystics will again be among the title favourites for 2023. Homegrown coach Tia Winikerei will guide the side, taking over from Helene Wilson, who finished up after six years in the role, moving into a new job as the manager of High Performance Sport NZ’s women in high performance sport programme.
Aaron Gillions/Photosport
Maia Wilson will be targeting a strong season for the Stars after losing her Ferns’ starting goal shoot bib to Grace Nweke.
Stars
Coach: Kiri Wills
Squad: Kelera Nawai-Caucau, Amorangi Malesala, Elle Temu, Gina Crampton, Holly Fowler, Jamie Hume, Maia Wilson, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Samon Nathan, Lisa Putt.
Key gains: Kelera Nawai-Caucau (Tactix), Samon Nathan (Tactix), Lisa Putt (elevated to full contract)
Key losses: Kayla Johnson (pregnancy), Anna Harrison (retired), Lisa Mather (England)
TAB title odds: $5
Outlook: The Stars put together a memorable 2022 campaign, winning 12 of 17 matches, but weren’t at their best in the grand final, outclassed 56-37 by the Pulse. With goal shoot Maia Wilson anchoring the shooting end, and a quality midcourt in Ferns’ starting wing attack Gina Crampton and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, the Stars should again have little trouble scoring goals. Experienced defender Kayla Johnson’s pregnancy and the retirement of 88-test Fern Anna Harrison weakens their stocks defensively though. Elle Temu will need to back up her breakout 2022 season, alongside Fijian international Kelera Nawai-Caucau in their fist-choice defensive circle, with Holly Fowler likely at wing defence.
Aaron Gillions/Photosport
Ameliaranne Ekenasio has had a full pre-season with the Magic this year which should only help the Waikato-Bay of Plenty side.
Magic
Coach: Mary-Jane Araroa
Squad: Amy Christophers, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Bailey Mes, Charlotte Elley, Claire Kersten, Erena Mikaere, Georgia Tong, Georgia Edgecombe, Ivana Rowland, Simmon Wilbore.
Key gains: Charlotte Elley (Tactix), Amy Christophers (elevated to full contract)
Key losses: Sam Winders (Steel), Oceane Maihi (ACL and meniscus tear)
TAB title odds: $8
Outlook: The Magic made a slow start to last season with Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio on a managed return to play programme following the birth of her second child. Star off-season recruit Katrina Rore was also a late scratching after announcing her pregnancy. With Ekenasio full go for 2023 and a full pre-season behind her, the Magic attacking connections should be far more cohesive. After finishing last season positively and managing to avoid the wooden spoon on goal percentage, handing it to the Tactix, the Magic should be upbeat about their potential in coach Mary-Jane Araroa’s second season in charge. They should be in the finals mix if they can put it together on court and leading performers, Ekenasio, Bailey Mes, and Claire Kersten, all deliver.
Jeremy Ward/Photosport
Pulse defender Kelly Jury, left was the best player in the ANZ Premiership last season and will be determined to back up her stellar play.
Pulse
Coach: Yvette McCausland-Durie
Squad: Ainsleyana Puleiata, Amelia Walmsley, Kristiana Manu’a, Joyce Mvula, Fa’amu Ioane, Kelly Jury, Maddy Gordon, Parris Mason, Tiana Metuarau, Whitney Souness.
Key gains: Joyce Mvula (Malawi), Ainsleyana Puleiata (elevated to full contract), Ioane (Mystics)
Key losses: Aliyah Dunn (Tactix), Binnian Hunt (ACL tear), Paris Lokotui (ACL tear), Erikana Pedersen (retired)
TAB title odds: $3.75
Outlook: The Pulse captured their third title in four years last season, finishing powerfully after Covid-19 ravaged their camp to begin the season. Going back-to-back won’t be easy with prolific goal shoot Aliyah Dunn moving south to the Tactix and starting centre Erikana Pedersen retiring. The Pulse have tried to plug Dunn’s departure, replacing her with Malawi international Joyce Mvula. How Mvula and Tiana Metuarau function together in the shooting end will be pivotal. Elsewhere, the Pulse look polished with Whitney Souness and Maddy Gordon, who have plenty to prove to the Ferns’ selectors, set to be key figures in the midcourt. Kelly Jury will look to follow up her MVP season in the defensive circle alongside Kristiana Manu’a and Parris Mason.
John Davidson/Photosport
Tactix defender Jane Watson returns after missing the 2022 season, giving birth to daughter Tia. Her addition transforms the Tactix to title contenders.
Tactix
Coach: Marianne Delaney-Hoshek
Squad: Parris Petera, Laura Malcolm, Aliyah Dunn, Greer Sinclair, Jane Watson, Karin Burger, Kate Lloyd, Kimiora Poi, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Vika Koloto.
Key gains: Dunn (Pulse), Laura Malcolm (England), Greer Sinclair (Stars training partner), Parris Petera (elevated to full contract)
Key losses: Ellie Bird (England), Elley (Magic), Nawai-Caucau (Stars), Nathan (Stars), Hannah Glen (knee injury)
TAB title odds: $5
Outlook: The Tactix could quickly transform from the basement in 2022 to title contenders in 2023. Without superstar defender Jane Watson, who missed last season due to pregnancy, the Tactix never clicked as a unit, winning five of 15 matches and finishing last. Watson returns after the birth of daughter Tia in May and the red-and-black’s have recruited smartly in the off-season. Landing the prized signature of Dunn in the shooting end was a canny move and they have improved their midcourt, adding English international Laura Malcolm, and promising wing defence Greer Sinclair. Watson and Karin Burger should pick up a stack of defensive ball for the side. If the side’s attacking connections gel smoothly, they could contend for their first title in team history.
AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/Stuff
Steel off-season recruit Sam Winders, left, and Kimiora Poi of the Tactix compete for the ball in a pre-season match in Timaru.
Steel
Coach: Reinga Bloxham
Squad: Ivari Christie, Courtney Elliott, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Burley, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai’inaea, Sam Winders, Saviour Tui, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Eseta Autagavaia.
Key gains: Winders (Magic), Eseta Autagavaia (Stars-Magic), Courtney Elliott (Pulse replacement player in 2022), Ivari Christie (elevated to full contract)
Key losses: George Fisher (ACL rupture), Shannon Saunders (pregnancy, Ali Wilshier (England), Sarahpheinna Woulf
TAB title odds: $21
Outlook: The Steel couldn’t have scripted a worse start to 2023. Outstanding English goal shoot George Fisher suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and an associated fracture in a pre-season game against the NSW Swifts – a crippling blow for the side. Replacing a player of Fisher’s quality at late notice is a mighty challenge. The Steel snapped up Eseta Autagavaia, who has represented Samoa and played eight games for the Magic last season, but she has huge shoes to fill. Experienced midcourter Shannon Saunders will also miss the season after giving birth to daughter Madison in February. Adding 47-test Ferns’ midcourter Sam Winders boosts the Steel engine room alongside rising Ferns’ star Kate Heffernan. Veteran Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit returns for another season and will need to pick up regular defensive ball alongside Kate Burley. Heffernan’s identical twin sister Georgia, a shooter, is a bright emerging talent and will be a name to watch.
AT A GLANCE:
ANZ Premiership round one:
Saturday 7.15pm: Mystics v Steel at Trusts Arena, Auckland
Sunday 4.10pm: Pulse v Magic at Fly Palmy Arena, Palmerston North
Monday 7.35pm: Stars v Tactix at Pulman Arena, Auckland
