Thorough review of season needed

Kate Burley, who was a standout for the Southern Steel, defends the shot of Tactix shooter Aliyah Dunn. Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (left) and her sister, Te Paea, watch on in the background. Photo: Michael Bradley Photgraphy

The Southern Steel’s deflating season has come to an end without a win. Netball writer Kayla Hodge reflects on the franchise’s toughest season and ponders what might happen next.

OVERALL

It is a season the Steel would rather forget. It became the first team in ANZ Premiership history to go through the season winless, and notched up the competition’s longest losing streak of 18 games, including three losses at the end of 2022. The Steel badly missed stars George Fisher (injury) and Shannon Saunders (pregnancy), and struggled for leadership in the attack end. The first four games stung the most — the Steel lost each by from 17 to 34 goals, lost its flow on attack and failed to pick up ball on defence. The second half of the season was better as the Steel pushed teams the entire way, but still could never grab that elusive win.

BEST GAME

53-52 loss v Magic

The Steel saved its best till last. The home side was dogged in defence and was right by the Magic the entire game.

Every player stepped up and it looked as though the Steel would sneak its first win of the season. Plenty to be proud of from that performance.

WORST GAME

74-40 loss v Stars

Hard to look past a 34-goal thumping in Auckland. The team was already licking its wounds from big opening losses against Mystics and Pulse, but nothing went right when it met the Stars the first time. Pleasing to see the Steel pushed the Stars in their other two encounters.

BEST PLAYER

Kate Burley

The goal keep’s statistics speak for themselves. Burley finished her season second in the league for deflections (67) and defensive rebounds (21) and seventh for intercepts (22). That speaks volumes of the calibre of player Burley has become, fighting for ball constantly at the back of a team struggling and reaping the rewards. Kate Heffernan had another solid season as well with 366 feeds and 26 intercepts — surely a shoo-in for the Netball World Cup squad.

MOST IMPROVED

Saviour Tui

Tui was a beacon of hope under the post for the Steel. The shooter was plagued with limited court time as she recovered from injuries, but when she was on the court, boy, did she deliver. Showed amazing strength on the take, created space for herself and slotted 302 goals from 354 attempts.

TIME TO REBUILD

Under attack

Let’s face it, the Steel needs a touch of class at wing attack. That position drives the attack line and cuts the lines, and that was missing, particularly in the first half of the season. We will wait with bated breath to see if Saunders returns. Otherwise, the Steel needs to find a replacement.

Keeping the core

No, things did not go the Steel’s way, but you get the feeling if the core of the young group return — with a couple of good recruitments in the mix — they can lift. Tui, Burley and Georgia Heffernan came on in leaps and bounds, and that bodes well for the future.

Looking back

The Steel coaching staff and players do not need us to tell them what a poor season it was. But a thorough review among the squad is needed to determine how it can avoid getting the dreaded wooden spoon again next season. Pick apart what went wrong, what went right and where they need to recruit in leadership and key positions next year. Then dump it and move on. The franchise, and its fans, cannot face another year like this.