2022 ANZ Premiership player movements
Despite the 2021 ANZ Premiership wrapping up less than a month ago, all eyes are already on the 2022 season, with Silver Ferns Squad members split evenly among the six franchises.
Underachievers of the 2021 season, the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic look to turn around their chances in 2022, with the significant signing of Ameliaranne Ekenasio, while the Northern Mystics retain the majority of their Grand Final winning team.
The squads for 2022 are all locked in, so how do all six teams stack up?
Northern Mystics
2021 Finish: 1st
2022 Team: Tayla Earle, Monica Falkner, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Fa’amu Ioane, Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Claire O’Brien, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Peta Toeava, Filda Vui
In: Monica Falkner (Stars), Claire O’Brien
Out: Ama Agbeze, Kate Burley (Steel), Bailey Mes (Magic), Saviour Tui (Steel)
The Mystics receive a huge boost to their defensive end with Sulu Fitzpatrick signing for another season and the return of Phoenix Karaka (pregnancy) and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (injury). While the Mystics have lost four of their players, retaining Grace Nweke and Peta Toeava sets the Mystics up for another dominant season, the connection between the two attackers being unstoppable this year. Nweke shot a whopping 852 goals across 16 games, averaging out to over 50 per game and will be joined again by Filda Vui, with Monica Falkner moving from the Stars as a handy addition to the shooting circle. Coach Helene Wilson is very familiar with her 2022 team, with all players bar Falkner being part of the Mystics environment in 2021. After winning their first title in the franchise’s history, the Mystics’ chances of going back-to-back look strong.
The Good Oil Tactix
2021 Finish: 2nd
2022 Team: Ellie Bird, Karin Burger, Charlotte Elley, Hannah Glen, Kate Lloyd, Samon Nathan, Kelera Nawai-Caucau, Kimiora Poi, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jane Watson
In: Hannah Glen (2021 training partner), Kate Lloyd (Tactix 2019), Kelera Nawai-Caucau (Pulse)
Out: Sophia Fenwick, Erikana Pedersen, Jess Prosser
After a rocky start to their season, losing their first game by 18 goals, the Tactix recovered thanks to some consistent showings and a solid midcourt. Making their second consecutive Grand Final, the Tactix were led from the back by the powerhouse defensive unit of Karin Burger and Jane Watson. Their defence will be even further strengthened this year with the addition of Fijian defender Kelera Nawai-Caucau who moves south from the Pulse, where she impressed at goal keep, rattling many experienced shooters. Ellie Bird and Te Paea Selby-Rickit will again have a lot of pressure on their shoulders to perform with young Hannah Glen making the step up from a training partner to a fully contracted member of the team. Kimiora Poi, Charlotte Elley and Samon Nathan all return to the midcourt and will provide stability to the Mainland side who will be looking to go one better and finish on top in 2022.
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel
2021 Finish: 3rd
2022 Team: Kate Burley, George Fisher, Georgia Heffernan, Kate Heffernan, Shannon Saunders, Renee Savai’inaea, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Saviour Tui, Ali Wilshier, Sarahpheinna Woulf
In: Kate Burley (Mystics), Georgia Heffernan (injury, 2020 Steel), Saviour Tui (Mystics)
Out: Taneisha Fifita, Tiana Metuarau (Pulse), Kiana Pelasio
Not many tipped the Steel to excel in 2021, fielding a young team with little international experience, but the Southern side can always be counted on to overcome. The shooting combination of English import George Fisher and Tiana Metuarau was a stroke of brilliance, and the news of Fisher re-signing was music to the ears of Steel supporters. Young talented shooter Saviour Tui will be eager to prove herself after moving south from the Mystics, where she had limited game time this year. Georgia Heffernan returns to the Steel after recovering from an ACL injury and will play alongside twin sister Kate, who had a standout season culminating in Silver Ferns selection. The consistent Shannon Saunders and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit will again don Steel colours and Selby-Rickit will be joined in the defensive end Kate Burley, who lifted the 2021 trophy with the Mystics.
Robinhood Stars
2021 Finish: 4th
2022 Team: Gina Crampton, Kayla Johnson, Holly Fowler, Anna Harrison, Jamie Hume, Amorangi Malesala, Lisa Mather, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Elle Temu, Maia Wilson
In: Kayla Johnson, Holly Fowler (Magic)
Out: Monica Falkner (Mystics), Oceane Maihi (Magic)
The team to beat at the beginning of the ANZ Premiership, holding first place on the ladder from Round 2 to Round 10, the Stars then slumped to 4th on the ladder after four consecutive losses at the tail end of the season. The team with the least changes in the off season, the Stars farewell Monica Falkner, who spent the majority of the season recovering from a knee injury and defender Oceane Maihi who has joined the Magic. Holly Fowler returns to the Stars after a season away at the Magic and former Silver Fern Kayla Johnson (née Cullen) will be back in the purple dress after spending time in Australia and giving birth to her first child. Anna Harrison will turn 39 during the 2022 season, but played some of her best netball alongside Elle Temu in 2021 and the Stars shooting trio of Wilson, Hume and Malesala will be one to watch out for.
Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse
2021 Finish: 5th
2022 Team: Aliyah Dunn, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Maddy Gordon, Binnian Hunt, Kelly Jury, Paris Lokotui, Kristiana Manu’a, Tiana Metuarau, Whitney Souness, Amelia Walmsley
In: Temalisi Fakahokotau (Magic), Binnian Hunt (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Kristiana Manu’a (Giants), Tiana Metuarau (Steel), Amelia Walmsley
Out: Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Magic), Claire Kersten (Magic), Parris Mason (2022 training partner), Kelera Nawai (Tactix)
The Central Pulse had a big blow before their 2021 season even started, losing captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio who took time off for her mental health before announcing her pregnancy and Katrina Rore also missing the entirety of the season with her pregnancy. New coach Gail Parata struggled to get the Pulse over the line, with eight of their 11 losses being within five goals or less, and the two-time defending champions didn’t make the Grand Final for the first time in ANZ Premiership history. The Pulse are reverting to their old ways in 2022, welcoming back Yvette McCausland-Durie as coach, along with goal attack Tiana Metuarau, who thrived in her season away at the Steel, making the Silver Ferns squad for the first time. Powerful defender Temalisi Fakahokotau will suit up in yellow for the first time, and the combination of her and Kelly Jury creates a lot of potential for the Pulse. Casting their gaze over the ditch, the Pulse recruited defender Kristiana Manu’a to the mix, who played for the Magic in 2015 and 2016 but has been plying her trade for the Giants in Sydney since, along with attacker Binnian Hunt, who has been training with the Sunshine Coast Lightning for four years. Despite losing some big names, the Pulse have taken some bold choices in signing and have the chance to return to their winning formula in 2022.
Splice Construction Magic
2021 Finish: 6th
2022 Team: Georgie Edgecombe, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Claire Kersten, Oceane Maihi, Bailey Mes, Erena Mikaere, Katrina Rore, Georgia Tong, Khiarna Williams, Sam Winders
In: Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Pulse), Claire Kersten (Pulse), Oceane Maihi (Stars), Bailey Mes (Mystics), Katrina Rore (Pulse)
Out: Caitlin Bassett (Australia), Temalisi Fakahokotau (Pulse), Holly Fowler (Stars), Grace Kara, Tori Kolose, Chiara Semple
Finishing bottom of the table in 2021, with only one win from 15 games, and farewelling the 102 international Test caps of Australian Diamond Caitlin Bassett, the Magic needed a big boost to have a chance of hoisting the trophy in 2022 - and they did just that. Signing Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who will return to play after welcoming her second child this year, and the 72 international caps of Bailey Mes, the Magic will have a formidable shooting circle, completed with local shooting star Khiarna Williams. Returning for her ninth consecutive season at the Magic is Sam Winders, who will be ably supported by fellow Silver Fern Claire Kersten in the midcourt. Mary-Jane Araroa will make the step up from assistant coach to head coach in 2022, and completed her team with the signing of Katrina Rore, whose 137 Silver Ferns caps add another weapon to a Magic side which looks very strong on paper.