Steel, Pulse shape as title favourites
MYSTICS
Squad: Kristina Brice (Aus), Tayla Earle, Jamie Hume, Emma Iversen, Phoenix Karaka, Grace Kukutai, Bailey Mes, Erena Mikaere, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Elisapeta Toeava.
Coach: Helene Wilson
In: Brice, Earle, Iversen, Kukutai, Mikaere
Out: Tera-Maria Amani, Anna Harrison, Maria Folau, Samon Nathan, Storm Purvis
Who needs to fire for them to make the finals?: Bailey Mes
Outlook: Losing star shooter Maria Folau (to the Adelaide Thunderbirds in Australia) and veteran defender Anna Harrison to retirement are major blows for the Auckland side. They still have enough quality to be in the finals hunt. Shooter Bailey Mes faces a critical season as the 63-cap Silver Fern targets a return to the national side after last playing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Defensively, they look strong with wing defence Michaela SokolichBeatson and circle defenders, Phoenix Karaka and Erena Mikaere, forming a talented back three.
Predicted finish: Third
STARS
Squad: Kate Burley, Kayla Cullen, Leana de Bruin, Holly Fowler, Ellen Halpenny, Charlee Hodges (Aus), Temepara Bailey, Storm Purvis, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Maia Wilson.
Coach: Kiri Wills
In: De Bruin, Hodges, Purvis, Reuelu-Buchanan, Bailey
Out: Ama Agbeze, Olivia Coughlan, Paula Griffin, Fa’amu Ioane, Christina Oscar, Grace Kara
Who needs to fire for them to make the finals?: Kayla Cullen
Outlook: The Stars paid the price for a slow start last season, dropping their first seven matches, and will be eager to prevent a repeat effort. They were unlucky, dropping several by only a few goals, and need to learn to close out tight games. Their decision to bring assistant coach and former Ferns midcourt great Temepara Bailey, 43, out of retirement was a controversial one and it will be fascinating to see how she goes. Bailey will be one of two players aged over 40 in the Stars with retired Ferns centurion Leana de Bruin, 41, also in their ranks. Injury-plagued Kayla Cullen must finally deliver on her ability and stay healthy if they’re to be a threat.
Predicted finish: Sixth
MAGIC
Squad: Casey Kopua, Kelly Jury, Jenna O’Sullivan, Sam Sinclair, Ariana Cable-Dixon, Lisa Mather, Sydney Fraser, Monica Falkner, Abigail Latu-Meafou, Kelsey McPhee.
Coach: Amigene Metcalfe
In: O’Sullivan, Mather, LatuMeafou, McPhee
Out: Katherine Levien, Kate Lloyd, Amorangi Malesala, Lenize Potgieter, Hayley Saunders
Who needs to fire for them to make the finals?: Sam Sinclair
Outlook: With Casey Kopua and Kelly Jury, the Magic boast the finest defensive circle combo in the competition. Losing star import shooter Lenize Potgieter to the Steel hurts and Monica Falkner will need to lead the way without her. Midcourter Sam Sinclair will be heavily under the microscope after a forgettable Northern Quad Series with the Ferns, where she just didn’t look herself. The Magic are synonymous with success and after a woeful 5-10 finish in 2018 and season marred by injuries, the pressure will be on them to climb their way up the table.
Predicted finish: Fifth
PULSE
Squad: Karin Burger, Aliyah Dunn, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Maddy Gordon, Katrina Rore (nee Grant), Claire Kersten, Tiana Metuarau, Whitney Souness, Elle Temu.
Coach: Yvette McCauslandDurie
In: Gordon, Temu
Out: Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Renee Savai’inaea
Who needs to fire for them to make the finals? They shouldn’t have any issues, but Ameliaranne Ekenasio needs to pick up where she left off in the Northern Quad Series.
Outlook: Last year’s grand final loss to the Steel is all the motivation the Pulse need for 2019. They somehow allowed the Steel to score seven unanswered goals to close out the game and produce one of the great Kiwi sporting collapses. The benchmark all season, having lost only three games, the grand final meltdown would have stung all off-season.
The Pulse retained their starting seven and nucleus of their squad from 2018, and again shape as championship favourites. Add in the fact axed Silver Ferns centurion Katrina Rore, last season’s competition MVP, will be on a mission, gunning for a Ferns World Cup recall.
Predicted finish: Champions
TACTIX
Squad: Ellie Bird, Brooke Leaver, Kate Beveridge (Aus), Erikana Pedersen, Kimiora Poi, Charlotte Elley, Jane Watson, Kate Lloyd, Lily Marshall, Sophia Fenwick.
Coach: Marianne DelaneyHoshek
In: Lloyd, Marshall, Fenwick
Out: Jess Maclennan, Zoe Walker
Who needs to fire for them to make the finals? Jane Watson
Outlook: The Tactix enjoyed a season to savour last year, making the finals for the first time. Following up that result won’t be easy with the inspirational defender Temalisi Fakahokotau, their best player, expected to miss the entire campaign after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at Silver Ferns training in September. Fakahokotau helped get the Tactix wins in several close matches last year and her loss can’t be understated. With the height of 1.96m Ellie Bird at goal shoot and Erikana Pedersen and Kimiora Poi darting around in the midcourt, the Tactix should have no trouble racking up goals. The question will be, can they stop them at the other end.
Predicted finish: Fourth
STEEL
Squad: Lenize Potgieter (SA), Jennifer O’Connell, Te Paea SelbyRickit, Gina Crampton, Shannon Saunders (nee Francois), Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Courtney Elliott, Kate Heffernan, Abby Erwood, Kendall McMinn. Coach: Reinga Bloxham
In: Potgieter, Heffernan, McMinn
Out: Wendy Frew, Olivia Bates, Dani Gray
Who needs to fire for them to make the finals? The Steel should cruise in, but unheralded defensive duo, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Courtney Elliott, must again win ball at the back.
Outlook: Whoever lured South African shooting star Potgieter to the Steel from the Magic is a genius. Potgieter’s addition was a coup by the southerners and gives the two-time defending champions an accurate, accomplished shooter with height. It’s tough on incumbent Jennifer O’Connell, but the Steel should be able to rotate both players around and keep them fresh. Replacing the heart of the franchise, Wendy Frew, who has retired, won’t be easy. Youngster Kate Heffernan should fill those big shoes. Midcourters Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders, nee Francois, absolutely thrive at this level and will be difficult to shut down. Te Paea Selby-Rickit must deliver at goal attack to have any chance of booking her ticket to the World Cup after an underwhelming international showing to end last year.
Predicted finish: Runner-up
Round one: