An error-ridden first quarter set the tone, as the Steel was beaten 54-43 by the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Hamilton.
The loss ended a tough season for the Steel, and assistant coach Jo Morrison said it was a performance that summed up the year.
"It was probably the story of our season, really," Morrison said.
"Disappointed we can’t put a 60-minute performance together.
"There’s some great moments, then we just make some critical errors at crucial times. Against quality sides you get punished."
The team had its playoff hopes dashed the weekend prior, in an extra-time loss to the Northern Stars.
While it spoke of treating its final road trip of the season just like any other, it was perhaps difficult to get up for games after being eliminated from finals contention.
It trailed 13-8 at the end of the first quarter and, while holding its own in the second, let that slip out to 41-30 by the end of the third.
That was too much to haul in and left the Steel with a six win-nine loss record for the season.
There was no denying the impact Covid-19 had on the team.
It had been in top form, having just beaten a rampant Northern Mystics team, when the virus swept through the squad.
The Steel never really bounced back from it, while the flow-on effect of the postponed games was a congested schedule to finish the season.
The team has avoided using it as an excuse all season.
Morrison did not want to make excuses either, although she admitted it had an impact.
"I guess for us it was just the timing. Being in the South, we got it last.
"We were really hitting our straps. I don’t want to use it as an excuse. Towards the end, that game against the Stars, we played really well and got them to extra time.
‘It definitely had an effect, but we have to be able to adapt and perform just like everybody else has."
Morrison had been proud of the way the team adapted to the challenges the year had thrown at it.
She said the team had been fluid with how it approached things and had played some "magnificent" netball in places — namely in wins over the Mystics and Central Pulse.
However, she added the team remained very young and the experience it gained would be crucial going forward.
"It’s just about nailing those critical moments for us.
"Those have been the key things across our season. We’ve just made errors at critical times and been punished by some really strong teams.
"The thing is, across the whole competition, there are six teams that are all quality sides. You’ve got to bring your A-game every single time.
"When it’s condensed and there’s challenges and illness, and Covid, and injuries, it just makes it even more challenging to do game in game out."
The Central Pulse beat the Northern Mystics 58-40 on Friday night to clinch top spot and secure a direct route to host Sunday’s final.
The Mystics will face the Northern Stars on Wednesday in the elimination final for the right to play the Pulse.
