Commentator’s Call with Jenny Woods
She has the best seat in the house – courtside at ANZ Premiership matches, calling the best netballers in the world – and she loves it! SKY Sport’s Jenny Woods is back with the Commentator’s Call…
Much has been made of the chance to return to the New Zealand style of play that the ANZ Premiership brings … a resurrection of the Kiwi style.There will also be more than one or two players hoping the new league will help resurrect their careers.
Cathrine Tuivaiti has moved south from the Mystics to fresh pastures in the capital with the Pulse and word is, she’s thriving.The Pulse have a fresh-looking mix which includes former England captain Sara Bayman and the woman named 2016 Beko Netball League Player of the Year Karin Burger. Throw in the youngest player in the competition, 16-year-old schoolgirl Tiana Metuarau, and the Pulse have plenty of points of interest.
The Mystics have a number of Aucklanders coming home, with the biggest talking point the return of Bailey Mes.She has benefitted hugely from her time under the tutelage of recognised shooting coach Sue Hawkins at the Tactix.She joins Silver Fern shooting partner Maria Tutaia in the circle. Tutaia is another player who bears the influence of the Hawkins shooting style from her formative days with the Auckland Diamonds.
Also making a big move to re-ignite her career is Temalisi Fakahokotau. She’s said to be going from strength-to-strength in the Tactix camp, after swapping the Mystics blue for red and black. The 22-year-old burst on to the scene in 2014, with form that took her all the way to the Silver Ferns.But in years since, injury and poor discipline have counted against her.She could be the big ballwinner the Tactix have been looking for.
The Magic is very much a new-look side, with just three players - Grace Rasmussen, Sam Sinclair and Kelly Jury - back from 2016; plus of course the return of former captain Casey Kopua. It’s worth noting all those are Silver Ferns, with Sinclair and Jury making their debuts over the international season.Jury has to be one of the most exciting prospects around and her chance to play now with Kopua, after partnering de Bruin last year, is gilt-edged.
Last year’s assistant Reinga Bloxham picks up the reins at the Steel, and has the most settled line-up of the six teams. Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jane Watson and Gina Crampton have all worn the black dress since the end of last season, and their games can be expected to grow as a result.
Which brings us to the Northern Stars. For a new side, this one packs a punch.Led by the indefatigable Leana de Bruin, the Stars are guided by former Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg and have the honour of kicking off the ANZ Premiership with their clash against the Steel.This side boasts the return to court of Malia Vaka (formerly Paseka) after the birth of her son, the return to Auckland of Maia Wilson after her year with the Pulse and the return to Netball of Emma Iversen after several years playing rugby. Add to that mix the first import player from Fiji – shooter Afa Rusivakula.
The end result: six even looking teams.
As far as results go, you’ll simply have to wait and see, but for me this Sunday – a narrow win to the Steel over the Stars, the Magic to beat the Tactix and the Pulse too strong for the Mystics.
You can hear Jenny and her commentary team colleagues calling all the action live on SKY Sport, starting with Super Sunday at Hamilton’s Claudelands Arena, this weekend – GET TICKETS.