2024 ANZ Premiership Round 7 Preview

4pm, Saturday 25 May
Magic v Pulse at Mercury Baypark  Arena in Tauranga
Live on Sky Sport and free to air on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+
International streaming on www.netballpass.com

What will it take to stop Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse as they navigate some serious injury to their ranks but maintain their unblemished record so far?

AVIS Magic may threaten that record with Erena Mikaere and Georgia Takarangi producing a solid wall for the fourth-placed side – the latter in the top two for intercepts this season. Just how they measure up against Martina Salmon and Kiana Pelasio will set the tone for the match of the round. 

Pulse captain Kelly Jackson said there was plenty of “trust and belief” within the side despite dealing with a number of injuries. 

“We have to go out there and back each other up,” she said. Salmon was like a “doppelganger” of Walmsley with her play, Jackson said, and had slotted into the team well. But the Magic pose a bigger threat and will have the benefit of footage of the new Pulse shooting circle in action to analyse before game day whistles. 

They will however need captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio back on deck after the goal attack missed their loss to the Mystics – her absence heavily felt up front. Vice-captain Erena Mikaere said while they were pleased with their third quarter performance against the Mystics, they needed to start better and would turn their focus inwards before looking at the Pulse. 

“It’s ourselves verse ourselves. We need to look at what we do before we look at them.”

It will be a short turnaround for the Magic, but they will be at home as they search for their third win of the season and the opportunity to stay in touch with the top three teams.

4pm, Sunday 26 May
Steel v Mystics at Edgar Centre in Dunedin
Live on Sky Sport
International streaming on www.netballpass.com

Consistency is key if the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel are to add to their sole win in the ANZ Premiership after six rounds. Captain Kate Heffernan said she had seen patches of good play, but they were still searching for a “60-minute performance”. 

“It’s each of us doing our own job. I think we get caught up a little bit in help out mode. It’s a lack of trust at times and that’s when it gets disjointed.” 

The Steel struggled out of the blocks against the Tactix last week but came home strongly, and in front of their fans in Dunedin, will need a strong start if they are to stay in touch with the third-placed MG Mystics. 

“We’ve been talking about that 60-minute performance. To be able to have a good start, have that confidence, the trust from the get-go – that would be good for us.” 

Shooter Grace Namana sits in the top five in the league for accuracy but will need to lift in volume against a Mystics defensive unit which was on the hunt last week. Phoenix Karaka was at her disruptive best with eight deflections and was smothering alongside Carys Stythe in another strong Mystics defensive showing.

Captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson said her team was continuing to “grind out” the new combinations but they would need to take another look at their second half performance after falling away against the Magic. 

“Again our first half was really good, and we were clinical, but we’re just losing our legs a little bit as the game goes on,” she said.

7.30pm, Monday 27 May
Tactix v Stars at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch
Live on Sky Sport
International streaming on www.netballpass.com

Last week was just about getting the win for the Trident Homes Tactix and captain Kimiora Poi will be expecting the same in Round 7 when they take on the Stars. But they will also be wary of a Stars unit which has been running close to all of the leading teams – just unable to get across the line. 

Poi said it was an improved performance on attack against the Steel but there were still areas to tidy up. 

“(Against the Pulse) we were holding on to the ball too much and this week we were pushing it a little too much so it’s just finding that fine line in between,” she said. 

Wing attack Erikana Pedersen and Poi combined well against the Steel while goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit came into her own in the second half. Defensively the Tactix also have plenty of options for the Stars clash with coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek making a number of changes last week. 

“It’s cool that we can change it up. Different combos keep the other team guessing.”  Winless, but the Stars pose a threat and showed against the Pulse they are not far off the pace, finishing strongly. 

Captain Maia Wilson believes they have the “comeback strategy” sorted but are still searching for consistency. 

“I’m a little bit disappointed in the consistent messages that we’re saying in our environment but they’re not necessarily kicking through,” she said. 

Wilson said the “belief” was still strong in her side, but they needed to convert that into a win.