2024 ANZ Premiership Grand Final Preview

We take a look at this Sunday’s ANZ Premiership Grand Final between Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and MG Mystics in Wellington.

Pulse v Mystics at TSB Arena in Wellington

Back-to-back titles are on the mind of the MG Mystics as they head into the ANZ Premiership Grand Final and coach Tia Winikerei is expecting a “cracker of a game” when they meet Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in Wellington. 

It hasn’t been the easiest of seasons for the defending champions with injuries to key players taking their toll midway through the Premiership.  But like the Pulse, who have had to deal with their own injury adversities, Winikerei can now call on a full squad to take the court at any moment.

“It’s really cool to be able to play like we are now and to have people coming on and off the bench is really exciting for me as a coach,” she said.  Their ability to “stay the course” in a tough Elimination Final win over the Tactix last week was an ideal build-up to the Grand Final where Winikerei said her team would need to produce their “very best netball” to beat the hosts.  “That might sound simple, but I know what it looks like, and I’ve seen it throughout the season in glimpses,” she said. 

“But it will need to be our very best netball for 60 minutes and we will need to work our guts out.  The team know that and I’m confident they know how to do that.”  Captain and midcourter Michaela Sokolich-Beatson said without their “tough weeks” during the season they may not be in the position they are in now.  “We’ve got 11 players who can take the court at any time and perform, and we’ve showed that over the last six weeks,” she said. 

It is a similar story for the Pulse who were dealt three major injuries this year but have grown in depth to allow new coach Anna Andrews-Tasola to turn to her bench at any given moment.  Now she has the likes of Tiana Metuarau, Maddy Gordon and Amelia Walmsley back in the mix but can just as easily call on Martina Salmon, Claire Kersten and Kiana Pelasio to do the job. 

It makes for an intriguing battle where either coach can call on super-subs to make an impact. 

The Pulse head into the Grand Final with their fifth minor premiership under their belt and Andrews-Tasola preparing for a new battle with the Mystics – their northern opponents getting the better of them by 10 goals when they met in Round 14. 

“We need to look at everything with fresh eyes and make sure we come up with a good plan,” she said.  “We’ve had a lot of (finals) experience over the last couple of years so it’s making sure we learn from that and see how we go.” 

While most eyes may be on the match-up between Mystics shooter Grace Nweke and Pulse captain Kelly Jackson, the key could be in the clash between Mystics playmaker Peta Toeava and Pulse midcourter Fa’amu Ioane – although we can expect fireworks across the court in the highly anticipated Grand Final.