Commentator's Call: sport is just sport

SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods looks at the week that was and the stories that may emerge out of the final round of the regular season – Round 13…

Every now and then something happens to act as a reminder that as much as we love it, sport is just sport. The road accident involving the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel players last week was one of those reminders. Straight away, thought quite rightly went to the welfare of the women involved, and the fright it gave them and their families.

The performance of their teammates on Wednesday night to come back and beat the Silvermoon Tactix was impressive. The image of a heavily-bandaged Wendy Frew – on crutches – on the sideline was a powerful one. The Steel captain would have to be one of the best-loved players in the country, and though she was the player admitted to hospital overnight after the crash, she was on hand to support her team.

At the same time, there has to be questions over how the Tactix lost the match 51-46.Leading going in to the fourth quarter – as they had all game -they were unable to see things out, scoring just five goals in that final period, to the Steel’s 13. Newly-confirmed coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek has her hands full.

And the Tactix will again be at the centre of the action at the start of Round 13 on Sunday afternoon. They are the only thing standing between the SKYCITY Mystics, and a certain place in the Elimination Final. If the Tactix were to pull off the upset of the Premiership, the door would open ever so slightly for the WBOP Magic to score big over the Stars on Wednesday night and sneak in to the finals.

It has to be said, that scenario is unlikely.

While that Elimination Final on June 25 is almost certain to be between the Mystics and the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, the venue remains up in the air. Most expect it to be in Auckland, given that a Mystics win over the Tactix, looks far more likely than a Pulse win over the Steel on Monday night. But this is where the ripple effect of last week’s road accident comes in.

If the Pulse can take a bonus point or beat a still bruised Steel side, we could be heading to TSB Bank Arena for the Elimination Final.

A word now about the Beko Netball League Grand Final which will be played at The Trusts Arena on Sunday afternoon following the Mystics v Tactix game. This year’s competition has been a good one.

Central have gone through the season unbeaten and are favourites to go one step further than they did last year. Their season has mirrored that of the Steel, with new coach Natalie Milicich steering a side with a solid core of players returning from the previous year.

It’s a terrific change of fortune for their opponents Mainland who finished bottom of the table last year. Their fortunes could rely heavily on how the coaching staff juggle Ellie Bird. The 24-year-old stepped up to the ANZ Premiership when Mainland coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek also stepped up to take over the Tactix. Bird can play a maximum of 90 minutes on Sunday, so with a title on the line, expect her to get the full game with Mainland.

There’s no doubt this final round of ANZ Premiership action could bring with it many stories. Will it be the final time we see some players take the court? Will the Pulse celebrate making the finals for the first time in their history by hosting the Elimination Final? Will the Magic keep their enviable finals record in tact? All this and more in ANZ Premiership Round 13…