Southern Steel gunning for three-peat as ANZ Premiership gets underway on Sunday
If ever there was a time for players to perform, it’s now as the 2019 ANZ Premiership gets set to begin with July’s Netball World Cup looming in the background.
Some athletes may already be making sure their passports are up to date, while Silver Ferns head coach Noeline Taurua has made it clear there’s still time for others to play their way into her squad of 12.
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are gunning for a three-peat, having come back at the death in last year’s Grand Final to pip Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse by one goal. The Central side is once again looking like the team to beat, having made a clean sweep of the pre-season tournament in Ōtaki. But it’s dangerous to put too much weight on those results when coaches are still tinkering with combinations.
News of Temepara Bailey’s return has sparked extra interest in the Stars, particularly given foundation captain Leana de Bruin is also back. But there’s another player who’s had far less fanfare. Kayla Cullen is fit – and raring to go. A knee injury has meant one of the game’s most gifted players has been on the sideline for nigh on a year. Throw in the speed of Mila Reuelu-Buchanan who will be soaking up so much from playing alongside Bailey, and the Stars are the team to watch.
The Good Oil Tactix had their best season ever last year making the Finals Series for the first time. Finding that form again without Temalisi Fakahokotau will be tough. She led all stats for intercepts, deflections and rebounds in 2018. In fact, her 55 intercepts were eight clear of Rore who was next best. Because she and the equally dynamic Jane Watson won so much ball, the Tactix shooters will need to lift their numbers in 2019.
The Mystics are hard to get a gauge on. Gone are two of the greats in Maria Folau and Anna Harrison. How Helene Wilson uses their replacements may well dictate the team’s progress. One is the 1.96m Kristina Brice who’s made the move from the New South Wales Giants. The returning Erena Mikaere will provide a 1.92m bookend in the defensive circle.
The Splice Construction Magic the only side with a new coach. Last year’s assistant Amigene Metcalfe steps up to the lead role. Injury ravaged the Waikato Bay of Plenty side last year and it’s no coincidence they didn’t win another game after losing Casey Kopua in Round 9. She, Kelly Jury and Sydney Fraser are all back this year and will be hoping for better fortune.
It all starts in Hamilton on Sunday with a feast of netball.
The Steel have three of the best shooters in the country with Selby-Rickit, Jen O’Connell and the newly acquired Lenize Potgieter. How they use them will be interesting. Either which way, expect the Stars to give them a run for their money in the opening game.
ASCOT PARK HOTEL SOUTHERN STEEL v NORTHERN STARS
TEAM NEWS:
It’s a super start to the first ANZ Premiership Super Sunday with the two-time champion Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel team suiting up against the Northern Stars. Plenty of question marks swirl around the new-look Stars side but with experienced heads Temepara Bailey and Leana de Bruin in the mix, it is guaranteed no team, not even the defending champions, can take them lightly. The Stars were guilty of dropping a clutch of tight games last season but the inclusion of both Bailey and de Bruin could swing those results when the pressure goes on. New faces in all areas of the court look to have strengthened their depth in both the starting seven and on the bench for coach Kiri Wills. The Steel however also goes from strength to strength and the addition of South African shooting star Lenize Potgieter ensures that any ball that gets by the arms of de Bruin and new Stars recruit Storm Purvis, is likely to be converted to points. Watch the mid-court where the Steel will be without former captain Wendy Frew, who has hung up her playing bib, and may call on exciting youngster Kate Heffernan to blunt the impact of Bailey in a daunting first-up assignment.
WHO TO WATCH:
Lenize Potgieter (Steel) – there was some surprise to see the South African head to the Deep South and bolster an already strong shooting circle. Potgieter was the most accurate shooter in the ANZ Premiership last season and in a World Cup year will be looking to add to her already impressive skill set.
Leana de Bruin (Stars) versus Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Steel) – former Silver Fern Leana de Bruin is welcomed back to the Stars after a season in Australia. And she will have to hit the ground running as she takes on Silver Fern Te Paea Selby-Rickit first up.
Temepara Bailey (Stars) – netball fans around the country are excited to see one of New Zealand’s most dynamic mid-courters back in action. It may be four years since she played elite level netball but few would discount the veteran from slotting straight back in amongst the League’s best.
