Talking Tactix and other title contenders

The fifth edition of the ANZ Premiership starts tomorrow with the battle for the topthree finals spots set to be fiercely contested. Brendon Egan assesses the teams.

NORTHERN MYSTICS

Coach: Helene Wilson

Squad:

Shooters: Grace Nweke, Bailey Mes, Saviour Tui, Filda Vui

Midcourt: Peta Toeava, Tayla Earle, Fa’amu Ioane

Defenders: Kate Burley, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Ama Agbeze (ENG)

In: Burley (Stars) Ioane (Stars) Vui (wider training squad), Agbeze

Out: Courtney Elliott, Dani Gray, Emma Iversen, Phoenix Karaka (new mother), Michael Sokolich-Beatson (ruptured Achilles)

Verdict: The Mystics were a mixed bag in 2020, playing some outstanding netball at times, but also letting themselves down with some sloppy performances.

The return of

Silver Ferns veteran Bailey

Mes, who missed the 2020 season with a patella cartilage injury, is a major boost in their shooting end. Mes will ease the shooting pressure on teen sensation Grace Nweke. If the Mystics are to qualify for the top three finals they will need to overcome the absence of Silver Ferns defenders Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (ruptured Achilles) and Phoenix Karaka (new mother), which weakens them at the back end of the court.

TAB title odds: $10

NORTHERN STARS

Coach: Kiri Wills

Squad:

Shooters: Maia Wilson, Monica Falkner, Jamie Hume, Amorangi Malesala

Midcourt: Gina Crampton, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Lisa Mather Defenders: Anna Harrison, Elle Temu, Oceane Maihi

In: Falkner (Magic), Malesala, Crampton (Steel), Temu (Pulse), Harrison, Maihi (wider training squad) Out: Burley (Mystics), Ioane (Mystics), Grace Kara (Magic), Storm Purvis (retired), Daystar Swift, Vika Koloto Verdict: The Stars were aggressive in recruitment after finishing fourth last season and bolstered their squad with some impressive signings. Silver Ferns wing attack Gina Crampton was a fine addition joining from the Steel, where she had played her entire career. Fellow Fern and new Stars skipper Maia Wilson should team up nicely with national team-mate Monica Falkner in the shooting end, who moves from the Magic. Defensively, it is a changing of the guard with Elle Temu and Oceane Maihi getting their chance to shine and former Fern Anna Harrison, who turned 38 on Thursday, stepping out of retirement. The Stars have the squad to feature come finals time. TAB title odds: $4.50

WAIKATO-BAY OF PLENTY MAGIC

Coach: Amigene Metcalfe

Squad:

Shooters: Caitlin Bassett (AUS), Khiarna Williams, Chiara Semple Midcourt: Grace Kara, Sam Winders, Tori Kolose, Georgia Edgecombe Defenders: Erena Mikaere, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Georgia Tong

In: Bassett (Australia), Kara (Stars), Edgecombe, Fakahokotau (Tactix), Kolose, Semple

Out: Ariana Cable-Dixon (new mother), Holly Fowler (ACL injury), Abigail Latu-Meafou, Kelsey McPhee, Jenna O’Sullivan, Whitney Souness (Pulse)

Verdict: The Magic had a miserable 2020, finishing rock bottom, but should be big improvers. They struck gold landing experienced Australian goal shoot Caitlin Bassett, who was effectively forced out of Super Netball due to the controversial two point ‘super shot’ rule which limited her effectiveness and court-time with the Giants.

Snapping up defender Temalisi Fakahokotau and veteran wing attack Grace Kara were other shrewd signings. With so many fresh faces it could take time to gel, but the Magic will command respect and should be in the reckoning for the finals.

TAB title odds: $5

CENTRAL PULSE

Coach: Gail Parata

Squad:

Shooters: Aliyah Dunn, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Te Amo Amaru-Tibble. Midcourt: Whitney Souness, Claire Kersten, Maddy Gordon, Paris Lokotui Defenders: Parris Mason, Kelly Jury, Kelera Nawai (FIJ)

In: Souness (Magic), Lokotui, Mason, Nawai, Amaru-Tibble

Out: Burger (Tactix), Temu (Stars), Tiana Metuarau (Steel), Renee Savai’inaea (Steel), Katrina Rore (pregnancy)

Verdict: The winds of change have swept through Pulse HQ for the twotime defending champions. Gail Parata replaces Yvette McCauslandDurie as coach and there are a raft of personnel changes. The Pulse boast arguably the best midcourt in the competition and have a strong shooting end, but how they function defensively will shape their season. Missing former captain and Ferns centurion Katrina Rore (pregnancy) and Karin Burger (moved to the Tactix) will be tough to overcome and the Pulse will need 24-test Fern Kelly Jury to shine, alongside Kelera Nawai and Parris Mason. Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio will miss the start of the season (on medical leave for fatigue).

TAB title odds: $3.25

MAINLAND TACTIX

Coach: Marianne Delaney-Hoshek Squad:

Shooters: Ellie Bird, Te Paea SelbyRickit, Jess Prosser

Midcourt: Erikana Pedersen, Kimiora Poi, Charlotte Elley, Samon Nathan Defenders: Karin Burger, Jane Watson, Sophia Fenwick In: Burger (Pulse) Out: Fakahokotau (Magic) Verdict: After years of turmoil, the Tactix are finally on the upward trajectory. They enjoyed their best season in team history last year, winning nine games and qualifying for their first grand final, where they lost to the Pulse. With nine of their 10 contracted players back from last season and the addition of Ferns defender Karin Burger, the Tactix are deserved title favourites. If they can avoid injury, deal with newfound expectation and play at a high level consistently, they will be right in the hunt for the title come the business end of the competition.

TAB title odds: $3

SOUTHERN STEEL

Coach: Reinga Bloxham

Squad:

Shooters: George Fisher (ENG), Tiana Metuarau, Kiana Pelasio

Midcourt: Shannon Saunders, Ali Wilshier, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai’inaea

Defenders: Te Huinga Reo SelbyRickit, Taneisha Fifita, Sarahpheinna Woulf

In: Fisher (England), Metuarau (Pulse), Pelasio (wider training squad), Savai’inaea (Pulse), Wilshier, Woulf Out: Crampton (Stars), Kendall Corkery, Abby Erwood, Georgia Heffernan (ACL injury) Kalifa McCollin, Jennifer O’Connell (ACL, MCL injuries) Verdict: Winners of the first two ANZ Premiership titles in 2017 and 2018, the Steel are in rebuild mode with a vastly changed squad from last season. They don’t have the star power from those title-winning years, but do still have club cornerstones

Shannon Saunders and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit. The Steel wisely targeted players from other teams not getting court time with goal attack Tiana Metuarau set to profit, having moved from the Pulse. Losing Silver Ferns wing attack Crampton to the Stars after nine seasons with the team leaves a gaping hole. Always tough to beat at home, the new-look Steel face a difficult task to crack the top three finals this season.