The 2020 ANZ Premiership starts this weekend. Photo / Photosport
The 2020 ANZ Premiership starts this weekend. Photo / Photosport
With the 2020 ANZ Premiership season set to get under way, Herald netball reporter Cheree Kinnear takes a look at this year's teams and what we can expect.
Northern Mystics
Last season's results:
Games won: 4 Games lost: 11 Total points: 14 Finish: Sixth
• Sulu Fitzpatrick • Courtney Elliott • Dani Gray •Saviour Tui
Captain: Phoenix Karaka Coach: Helene Wilson
It's been a tough pre-season for the Mystics with the loss of Silver Ferns midcourter Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. The 23-year-old tore her Achilles tendon during a Silver Ferns tour match against England A in January and will be sidelined for the entire 2020 season.
Grace Nweke plays in her first full ANZ Premiership season. Photo / Photosport
As a result, former New Zealand Secondary Schools Player of the Year Courtney Elliott has been elevated from training partner to a fulltime member. She'll join the likes of Dani Gray and Sulu Fitzpatrick in a bid to fill the hole in the Mystics' defensive unit.
They'll have plenty of confidence on the opposite side of the court, however, with the young Grace Nweke primed to lead the Mystics in the shooting circle.
Nweke burst on to the Premiership scene midway through last season, becoming one of the competition's top scorers. At 193cm, the 18-year-old towers over most of New Zealand's top defenders.
Northern Stars
Last season's results:
Games won: 6 Games lost: 9 Total points: 21 Finish: Runners-up
New signings:
• Jamie Hume • Lisa Mather • Julianna Naoupu • Daystar Swift (import)
In their most successful campaign to date, the Northern Stars finished as the competition's runner-up last year – just four goals short of the title against the Central Pulse.
There was plenty to be proud of, but the young franchise are determined to reach Premiership glory this year and put an end to their Wellington rival's reign.
With a few key recruits, including Trinidad and Tobago's Daystar Swift, the Stars have all the right ingredients to go the distance this season.
Shooter Maia Wilson has added valuable international Silver Ferns experience to her name since last season and the return of tenacious midcourter Fa'amu Ioane is sure to keep opponents guessing.
Waikato Bay-of-Plenty Magic
Last season's results:
Games won: 5 Games lost: 10 Total points: 15 Finish: Fourth
A fresh start for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, with a new captain and head coach to take the reins.
Sam Sinclair takes the reins as captain of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. Photo / Photosport
Sam Winders (nee Sinclair) takes over from now-retired former captain Casey Kopua, while Amigene Metcalfe steps up into the head coaching role. With a handful of new faces added to the squad and last year's season far from impressive, a tough task awaits the pair in their quest to lead the Magic to a championship title.
They will have some confidence, however, with the likes of Erena Mikaere joining their defensive line-up. At 193cm, she'll provide the much-needed height factor to combat some of the league's top shooters.
Central Pulse
Last season's results:
Games won: 13 Games lost: 2 Total points: 39 Finish: Champions
With just two changes to their roster, expect the Central Pulse to carry the same consistent and dominant nature seen in past seasons.
The Central Pulse are defending champions. Photo / Photosport
The Pulse have cemented their name as the team to beat in recent years, and are the current defending champions.
Returning from injury, Kelly Jury joins the Pulse this year, making the move from the Magic. If her past form is anything to go by, expect big things.
Kelly Jury makes her return to netball with the Central Pulse. Photo / Photosport
In the shooting circle, Ameliaranne Ekenasio returns as one of the most threatening shooters on the international stage. The Silver Ferns captain is set to play a major role in the Pulse's season alongside impressive youngsters Aliyah Dunn and Tiana Metuarau.
Mainland Tactix
Last season's results:
Games won: 5 Games lost: 10 Total points: 15 Finish: Fifth
New signings:
• Jess Prosser • Te Paea Selby-Rickit • Temalisi Fakahokotau (Returning from injury)
Captain: Jane Watson Coach: Marianne Delaney-Hoshek
It could be an interesting year for the Tactix and certainly one with plenty of potential.
The return of Temalisi Fakahokotau will be eagerly anticipated, with the feisty defender back from an ACL injury she suffered in 2018. The Silver Fern was a regular feature in the league's top defensive statistics across deflections, intercepts and rebounds.
Temalisi Fakahokotau is set to return from injury. Photo / Photosport
Te Paea Selby-Rickit makes the move from the Southern Steel to provide another solid shooting option for the team.
Southern Steel
Last season's results:
Games won: 12 Games lost: 3 Total points: 38 Finish: Lost elimination final
Captains: Te Huinga Reo Selby-Ricki and Gina Crampton Coach: Reinga Bloxham
The Southern Steel will look to return to the top of the league. Photo / Photosport
Still feeling the pain of failing to hold on to the ANZ Premiership title last year, the Steel are gunning to return to their former glory.
Someone who could be the one to get them there is Steel legend Wendy Frew, who re-joins the team in an assistant coaching role. Frew was part of the side which took out the 2017 and 2018 titles.
Silver Ferns Te Huinga Reo Selby-Ricki, Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders will lead through the midcourt, while Trinidad and Tobago import Kalifa McCollin adds something fresh to their shooting circle.
