2025 ANZ Premiership Previews – Round Six

Take a look at the three match-ups coming in Round 6 of the 2025 ANZ Premiership.

Saturday, 14 June

Stars v Steel, 4pm at Pulman Arena in Auckland

Talking points:

• Both teams have suffered blow-outs in recent weeks and need to make an impact on the leaderboard with just five games remaining.  It is their first battle this year and maximum points will keep either team in the hunt for a top three spot – the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel with just as many wins as the Go Media Stars but a valuable bonus point puts them one spot ahead in fifth place. 
  
  
• With the most defensive rebounds and deflections, Carys Stythe has made herself at home in the Steel colours and will be eyeing up her first match-up with Charlie Bell this season.  She got six gains last week and is taking on a senior role in the defensive circle for her new team.
  
  
• Stars wing attack Tori Kolose is another National Netball League player grasping her opportunities with both hands.  Kolose was called into the side after the Stars were struck by injury early on and now sits third in the league for centre pass receives.  Shared the workload for feeds into the circle and looks to be growing in confidence with every outing.

Final thought:

“We’ve put ourselves in this position.  Every game now is do or die.  I still believe that we can do this, but we have to win so you’ve got to pick up whatever dirty rags you’ve got on the ground, and you have to be able to get on with it.  To me, confidence is no excuse to be able to show up and do our jobs.” – Stars captain Maia Wilson’s blunt assessment of where to next for her team.

Tactix v Pulse, 4pm at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch

Talking points:

• The VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix keep trucking on and a solid win over the Steel last week kept them at the top of the ANZ Premiership.  The ability to build on a lead is something to work on however – letting the Steel back in to the match on a number of occasions – and any opportunity they get against Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse they will have to ensure they make the most of it.
  
  
• Disconnect was the word of the day for the Pulse in a surprise loss to the Mystics last week – failing to find any rhythm up front and defensively only grabbed six gains during the game.  Amelia Walmsley was a standout for the Pulse landing all 38 one-point attempts, but the team struggled to get enough ball into her hands.  It’s hard to imagine the Pulse producing back-to-back performances like that but they won’t have it all their own way against a top-of-the-table Tactix team.
  
  
• Tactix centre Holly Mather is making the most of her starts in the Premiership, stepping into the big shoes once filled by Silver Fern Kimiora Poi.  Mather has been going about her job with little fuss but played a big role, alongside Paris Lokotui, last week in the Tactix’ defensive efforts outside of the circle.  She faces another challenge in the form of Maddy Gordon this week in a key clash.

Final thought:

“I think we’ve finally hit our groove, something we’ve been working on for a while.  It’s really good to see that we’re getting that flow that we knew we had from the very start.” – Tactix vice-captain Karin Burger on how the team is tracking.

Mystics v Magic, 7.30pm at The Trusts Arena in Auckland

Talking points:

• AVIS Magic are knocking on the door of a top three spot as the ANZ Premiership moves into the second half of the season.  Two big wins over the Stars has confirmed the Ameliaranne Ekenasio-led team, coinciding with the return of form from both Saviour Tui and Claire O’Brien,  cannot be taken lightly and are just two points shy of third place as the race for a finals spot heats up.
  
  
• How much did the Mystics impress last week with their attacking speed and big plays on defence?  Coach Tia Winikerei would be loath to make any changes to the seven who did the job in all aspects in their impressive win over the Pulse.  Captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson looked at home in the goal defence bib and it would be a brave coach to tinker with the defensive roles who got the results when needed.
  
  
• A blockbuster match-up between the two captains looms large with Ekenasio set to possibly face Sokolich-Beatson in this big Round 6 clash.  The latter nullified the presence of Tiana Metuarau last week – getting an intercept and two deflections – and will be looking to do the same against the playmaker that Ekenasio – also a standout performance with 25 goals for her side – is for the Magic.

Final thought:

The National Netball League does its job yet again with Mystics shooter Sophia Lafaiali’i making a seamless transition into the ANZ Premiership.  Backing up that performance will be key and her 98 per cent accuracy in the circle must warrant another start in a key league match, following the announcement of Wallam’s absence again this week.