After the exodus of numerous Silver Ferns overseas, the ANZ Premiership has a fresh look in 2026. Nathan Limm examines some talking points after round one...
The revamped Stars’ tight opening-round victory over last year’s grand finalists, the Mystics, will put a target on their backs.
One of the biggest talking points in the preseason was the new shooting circle of Silver Ferns Amelia Walmsley and Martina Salmon.
Both are over 1.90m and can shoot from range, providing plenty of options. They swapped between goal shoot and goal attack numerous times during the fixture, with Salmon especially lethal from the two-point range.
Mystics goal keep Catherine Hall was picking up deflections, and the Stars’ adjustment between a moving and a holding circle helped to create more space. The use of Walmsley and Salmon at goal attack will also be pleasing to Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua, who sees both as partners to Grace Nweke in the circle at test level.
At the other end, Stars goal keep Kate Burley had five intercepts – the most of any player this round. Their midcourt of Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Samon Nathan and Claire O’Brien is one of the most experienced in the competition and should provide a consistent platform for their star-studded shooting end.
The biggest question marks heading into the 2026 ANZ Premiership hung over the defending champion Mainland Tactix and Central Pulse, who were decimated by departures in a turbulent offseason. The Pulse had nine exits – including five Silver Ferns – while the Tactix had seven, most notably the losses of Silver Fern defenders Karin Burger and Jane Watson.
Both sides exceeded expectations with convincing opening-round wins, in part due to their superb recruiting.
At the Pulse, the addition of former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio at the attacking end will be critical in supporting new South African goal shoot Ine-Mari Venter, who had a shaky start with 78% accuracy and only two rebounds.
Former Star Emma Thompson provided reliability at centre, and the midcourt is yet to be boosted by former New South Wales Swift Lili Gorman-Brown. Defender Holly Comyns made a strong start, filling the enormous shoes of Silver Fern Kelly Jackson, with Pulse co-captain Parris Mason putting in a body-on-the-line, MVP effort.
At the Tactix, former Queensland Firebird Ash Barnett shone alongside ex-Pulse defender Laura Balmer, wreaking havoc with the experienced Steel shooting circle of Aliyah Dunn and Georgia Heffernan.
The new Tactix shooting circle of Charlie Bell and Amorangi Malesala failed to fully capitalise on consistent turnover ball but were smart enough with option-taking to maintain a healthy lead.
Although the Mystics lost, it must be highlighted that they were missing their two top centre options in Tayla Earle and Katie Te Ao. Earle has a leg injury and Te Ao a foot niggle, which are being medically managed. The pair are expected to return in the next two weeks.
In the meantime, the mantle has fallen to Anne Kirikiri and Grace Kukutai. The newbies were injected into a fast-paced midcourt alongside veterans Peta Toeava and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. They moved the ball swiftly up the court but lacked accuracy later in the contest with some errant passes.
Dynamic goal keep Catherine Hall was the Mystics’ brightest spark, picking up four intercepts and 11 deflections alongside a solid return from maternity leave for Phoenix Karaka.
Maia Wilson looked composed, shooting at 100% accuracy – including one two-pointer – in her franchise debut alongside Filda Vui. If the Mystics can get more consistency in the midcourt, they will definitely be a behemoth in the 2026 title race.
The Magic were once New Zealand’s only consistently competitive team in the ANZ Championship, but since the establishment of the Premiership, they have never made the finals. Their best season to date was a fourth place in 2024, the only season in which they had a winning record.
The Magic won only two games last year and were beaten convincingly in their opening fixture of 2026. Waikato Bay of Plenty fans will undoubtedly be clutching at any sign of hope.
The Magic will miss the experience of Ekenasio, who looked unshakeable for the Pulse against her former side. There was a clear disconnect between Saviour Tui and Kate Taylor in the shooting circle, where they conceded numerous turnovers. The Magic improved to win the final quarter against the Pulse, who had begun making team changes.
Coach Mary-Jane Araroa has been in the role since 2022 and will need to rally her troops into a sharp turnaround if they are to challenge the Mystics in Tauranga on Saturday.
Southern Steel fans have plenty of reason to set high expectations in 2026, with their side sporting one of the more settled rosters coming out of 2025. However, their midcourt had real trouble getting to the circle edge in a heavy loss to the Tactix.
Wild passes were a feature late in the game, which the Tactix defenders picked off with ease. Wing attack Serina Daunakamakama conceded nine general play turnovers, struggling to find her shooters.
In the circle, Aliyah Dunn and Georgia Heffernan battled for space, often turning down the shot to feed back out of the circle and reposition.
On the bright side, goal keep Carys Stythe continued her hot form from 2025, making a respectable four gains and five deflections. The Steel were winning enough ball to be competitive but must begin converting at the attacking end.
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.