2023 ANZ Premiership Round 1 Preview
The 2023 ANZ Premiership season is back again! We take a look at all three match-ups in Round 1.
Saturday, 4 March
Mystics v Steel, 7.15pm at The Trusts Arena in Auckland
Saturday night netball is back with the 2023 ANZ Premiership opening at The Trusts Arena in Auckland in what promises to be a must-watch first round clash. New MG Mystics coach Tia Winikerei hops into the hot seat for the first time in a Premiership match but has the firepower in her squad to deliver another strong season for her region. Star-studded across the court, the Mystics are obvious contenders with Silver Ferns strike-weapon Grace Nweke anchoring the shooting circle and the defensive power of Sulu Fitzpatrick, Phoenix Karaka and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson providing an impenetrable wall. Add in the master distributor in Peta Toeava and speedster Tayla Earle in the midcourt and the Mystics will be a tough first round prospect for the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel. But the southerners have a knack of defying the odds and even without star shooter George Fisher, who is out for the season with a knee injury, should still provide a challenge. The Steel showed at Ōtaki in the pre-season that they mean business. The match-up between Toeava and Steel defender Kate Heffernan will be one to watch – the latter showing her growing stature in the game with a fine Quad Series in South Africa in January. Her long reach will be key in dismantling the Mystics’ link from Toeava into Nweke.
Sunday, 5 March
Pulse v Magic, 4.10pm at Fly Palmy Arena in Palmerston North
The defending champion Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse enter the new season without key shooter Aliyah Dunn who has headed south, and there will be plenty of interest in how the three-time champions roll without their prolific scorer. Malawi international Joyce Mvula steps into the shooting vacancy but also watch out for Amelia Walmsley who is in her second contracted season with the Pulse and could be up for extra minutes in the circle. With plenty of well-established links and home court advantage, the Pulse should be in the box seat for their season opener against the Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. Only one goal separated the two teams in Ōtaki with the Magic coming out on top and the visitors, with a new captain in Ameliaranne Ekenasio, will hope to continue that form into the ANZ Premiership. They too have established links and expect the experienced shooting combination of Ekenasio and Bailey Mes to add to the spice of this first-round match. The Magic have lost a wealth of netball nous in the midcourt following the departure of Sam Winders so all eyes will be on Claire Kersten to steady the ship through the middle. Her combination with former Tactix midcourter Charlotte Elley could be key in silencing the play-making abilities of Tiana Metuarau and Maddy Gordon.
Monday, 6 March
Stars v Tactix, 7.35pm at Pulman Arena in Auckland
Unbeaten in pre-season but the Trident Homes Tactix know it counts for nothing heading into the opening round of the ANZ Premiership. A new-look Tactix side won all of their matches in Ōtaki, including a 12-goal win over the Stars, and with new recruits Laura Malcolm, Aliyah Dunn and Greer Sinclair all making their presence felt there should be some confidence as they begin their campaign on the road. But the Tactix have been notoriously slow starters to the Premiership and will be wary of a Robinhood Stars unit playing at home. Returning from maternity leave, Jane Watson adds plenty of strength to the Tactix defensive wall and her combination with Karin Burger is primed to pick up where they left off in a successful 2021 season. Pundits will keep a close eye on the attacking mix that Marianne Delaney-Hoshek opts for with Malcolm a possibility at centre and captain Kimiora Poi at wing attack. Meanwhile, the Stars were without goal attack Jamie Hume in pre-season and her return from shoulder surgery will be carefully managed. Watch out for Amorangi Malesala to take her opportunities in the shooting circle where she will likely team up with captain Maia Wilson. The Stars retain plenty of speed and experience through the middle but there will be interest in how their defensive end stacks up with the loss of Anna Harrison (retirement) and Kayla Johnson (pregnancy).