Northern Stars
Coach: Kiri Wills.
Last year: Beaten finalists.
The oil: This might be a rebuilding year for the Stars. It is a strange call, considering they only lost three players from last year, but defenders of Anna Harrison’s and Kayla Johnston’s calibre are hard to come by. Harrison — who retired (again) last year — and Johnston, who announced her second pregnancy recently, leave a big hole, filled by in-form Elle Temu and Fijian defender Kelera Nawai-Caucau, who joins her third ANZ Premiership team. An unchanged attack line, led by Silver Ferns Maia Wilson and Gina Crampton, provides the backbone. Samon Nathan, returning home from the Tactix, is a great cover in the midcourt, and complements Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Holly Fowler. Struggled to find consistency during pre-season, in Otaki, but showed, in patches, what last year’s finalists are capable of.
Georgia Heffernan will be key in leading the Southern Steel’s shooting circle. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Northern Mystics
Coach: Tia Winikerei.
Last year: Beaten elimination finalists.
The oil: New coach, similar team. Tia Winikerei has taken over the head role from Helene Wilson, who joined High Performance Sport New Zealand. Winikerei is familiar with the team’s culture, formerly being the Mystics apprentice coach. She inherited a relatively unchanged line, only losing Fa’amu Ioane to the Pulse and Claire O’Brien, who returned to Australia. Produced a mixed-bag during the pre-season, but you can never count them out with New Zealand’s top shooter Grace Nweke. Her connection with wing attack Peta Toeava is lethal and the defensive end is packed with talent, led by Sulu Fitzpatrick, Phoenix Karaka and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. Fell off towards the end of last season, but they will be keen to give their captain Fitzpatrick, who is retiring at the end of the season, the send off she deserves.
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Coach: Mary-Jane Araroa.
Last year: Fifth.
The oil: The Magic is always one to watch. For the past couple of seasons, the Magic looked good on paper, but that never translated on the court. It was a blow losing captain Sam Winders, but there is still consistency with Bailey Mes, Erena Mikaere, Claire Kersten and Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio. Struggled without a specialised wing attack last season, so Simmon Wilbore’s touch there could prove vital. Picked up solid wing defence Charlotte Elley from the Tactix, and Georgia Takarangi (nee Tong) is always electrifying in defence. Beat the Pulse in pre-season and tipped to be much better than last year.
Central Pulse
Coach: Yvette McCausland-Durie.
Last year: Champion.
The oil: It is always hard to look past the Pulse. But a new look in the attack end and a positional re-jig could make things interesting. The Pulse have lost star shooter Aliyah Dunn, but have enlisted Malawi international Joyce Mvula. Mvula adds something different, being able to play both goal shoot and attack, and knows what it takes to win after taking out the Netball Super League title with the Manchester Thunder last season. The key will be where Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness slot into the midcourt. Co-captains Tiana Meterau and Kelly Jury provide a good spine for the Wellington team and new specialised wing defence Fa’amu Ioane could make a real impact outside the circle. Should be in the finals hunt again, but expect the Pulse to be pushed more this season.
England international Laura Malcolm is a huge gain for the Mainland Tactix.
Mainland Tactix
Coach: Marianne Delaney-Hoshek.
Last year: Sixth.
The oil: Could this finally be the Tactix’s year? It is a question that is asked at the start of nearly every season, but the Canterbury side has recruited well, welcomes the return of experienced campaigners and is packed with excitement across the court. Deadly accurate shooter Aliyah Dunn is a massive coup, making the shift south; 53-cap English Rose Laura Malcolm is another great pick up in the middle; and Silver Ferns defender Jane Watson is back after the birth of her daughter. Add in Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Kimiora Poi and Karin Burger — and a clean sweep of its pre-season — and the Tactix is almost unstoppable. Had a bitterly disappointing end to last season and that will only add fuel to the fire as the Tactix hunt for its maiden title.
Southern Steel
Coach: Reinga Bloxham.
Last year: Fourth.
The oil: When the Steel’s back is against the wall, its resilience always shines through. The team from the deep South has been faced with adversity before the season has even started, after English Rose shooter George Fisher was ruled out with a knee injury. She joins former captain Shannon Saunders on the sidelines, following the birth of her first child. They are two big losses, but do not rule the Steel out. Sam Winders has injected some exuberance, taking over the wing attack role, and Stars training partner Eseta Autagavaia has replaced Fisher. There is plenty of experience through Kate Heffernan, captain Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Georgia Heffernan, who has already stepped up in Fisher’s absence. And never underestimate the work rate of Renee Savai’inaea outside the circle. Could take a couple of rounds for connections to fully form in the attack end, but still very much in the hunt this season.
