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Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Many gains in season, future bright for Steel
The Southern Steel have wrapped up their ANZ Premiership season. Netball writer Kayla Hodge reviews a season that provided more promise. They say you learn more from a loss than a win. The same can be said for nearly making the playoffs before just missing out on the eve of your final game. If the Steel needed more motivation for making a return to the ANZ Premiership finals, look no further than a 2025 season in which they showed vast improvements. It feels like it went by in a flash — thanks to the competition being reduced to 10 rounds — but they wrapped up with a record of 5-5 to finish fourth, and gave themselves a shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. That can be seen as a tick for the Steel, who won just two games last season. Injuries again hurt the Steel early. Kimiora Poi spent preseason carrying a niggle, Kate Heffernan was ruled out of the opening rounds with a knee complaint, Serina Daunakamakama and Summer Temu missed the latter rounds with injury, and Australian Dakota Thomas never made an appearance. Northern Stars training partner Khanye'-Lii Munro-Nonoa joined and was a calm head in bringing the ball through in her introductions. New coach Wendy Frew took over the reins and did a fine job in her first elite coaching gig. Both wins over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic were pretty to watch, and the come-from-behind win over the Central Pulse will linger as the catalyst for belief. But Frew will be the first to acknowledge there are things that could have gone better. The Steel were beaten twice by the Mainland Tactix, and came up agonisingly short against the Northern Mystics in their first encounter. Game management in those instances could have been better, and their consistency across the board hurt them in the crucial moments. Learning to put their foot down when they get a run in those tighter games and reducing lapses in pass placement are keys for the future. Overall, there were some positive signs from Frew's first season in charge and a general feeling the Steel are on the right path. Luring Liana Leota home as Frew's assistant was a stroke of genius. The former Steel midcourter, who had been coaching in England, brought attacking flair and a wealth of experience. Former Silver Ferns shooter Aliyah Dunn returned home to Invercargill and played some of her best netball in recent years. Having a dominant target was the difference and she finished with 383 from 400 at 95% from the one-point zone. Tall defenders have been missing for the Steel, and Carys Stythe answered that call. She joined as a double-premiership winner from the Mystics and showed the strength of her game with more court time, and many argue her time for the black dress has come. Coming in off the back of an international recall, Kimiora Poi was a superb addition at wing attack — an area of concern for the Steel in recent years. Poi almost flew under the radar for her large workload, which fans have come to expect, but she was the link in the midcourt and finished fourth in the league with 352 feeds. Across the board, it felt like there was more cohesion in this team and they produced some beautiful netball when they fired. The spine of Kate and Georgia Heffernan — third for centre-pass receives with 186 — Renee Savai'inaea and Abby Lawson have been there through the thick of it. Kate Heffernan spoke about players wanting to be part of the side that turned the Steel's fortunes around, and if they can keep the core at the Steel, there is no reason they cannot return to the playoffs in 2026. But that is the key — keeping this crew together. There will be changes, but if the Steel can get some continuity in Dunn, Stythe and Poi staying, all signs point towards a bright future. Southern Steel The season Record Played 10, won five, lost five, fourth in ANZ Premiership. The bestDown by nine heading into the final quarter, the Steel piled on 17 points to come back and beat the Central Pulse 58-57 in round seven. Georgia Heffernan showed the growth in her game to sink a two-pointer in the final minute. Perhaps what was most impressive was keeping a usually dominant Pulse to just seven points in the final quarter. The worst On the other end of the spectrum, the Pulse gave the Steel an absolute hiding in their 70-45 loss in round four. Nothing clicked for the Steel, and the Pulse registered their highest winning score since 2018. MVP Carys Stythe took a big leap leaving Auckland for the South — and it paid off. The defender topped the league for defensive rebounds (21), and was third for deflections (52) and intercepts (19). Aliyah Dunn was a dominant force as well. Most improved Georgia Heffernan showed real maturity in her game and having strength in Dunn allowed her to focus on her own job. Her court craft and option-taking was a standout.
Otago Daily Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Win boosts confidence for Steel
It is always easier to get back to business after a big win. The Southern Steel are riding high after beating the Northern Stars 62-46 last week, a victory that will have helped the team's confidence. Steel coach Wendy Frew said it had been a tough couple of weeks after three consecutive losses, and she was proud of her team's performance. "Really happy with the girls stepping up against the Stars and getting the win," Frew said. "We put some good netball out there and obviously also have a couple of things to work on. "A timely win for us and just keeps us in the hunt." Defensively it was a big step up from her back three, who picked up eight intercepts and 13 deflections, and their defence on the centre pass lifted another notch. Shooter Aliyah Dunn continued her dominant season, only missing one one-pointer, and one two-pointer, and Frew commended her performance. "She definitely is playing her best netball, I think," Frew said. "It's actually through so much hard work, she's doing extras two, or three, times a week. "Just really happy that all her hard work is actually paying off for her and you're seeing that on the court. "At times I think we can even look into her earlier. "She's got such a powerful hold and we'll see at times that we'll give her balls that aren't quite in the right space and ... she's putting her body on the line to pull those in." Co-captain Kate Heffernan also made her first start, after being sidelined for the opening rounds with a knee injury. The Silver Fern midcourter played only the first half as she builds back through managed minutes but provided a calm figure to lift her team. "It's been tough for her, she's been such a professional in rehab to get back on to the court," Frew said. "There would be other players throughout New Zealand who had that injury that wouldn't have been able to get back on the court like she did." Confidence will be crucial for the Steel this week, as they make the trip to Wellington to meet the Central Pulse on Monday. The sides' previous tussle was a game the Steel would rather forget; they lost 70-45 back in round four. "We know we didn't perform nearly our best. "For us, we've had a good look at it. "You obviously debrief games, and we've moved on and now we're looking to see how we can change our game plan up slightly and make sure we come out a different team than we were when we played them in Invercargill." It is a must-win game for both teams in the scheme of the ANZ Premiership this year, which has been cut back to 10 games. The Pulse are third on the ladder with a record of three wins and three losses for nine points. They lost 61-50 to top-of-the-table Mainland Tactix last week and 64-51 to the Northern Mystics the week before. Wing attack Whitney Souness leads the competition with 153 centre pass receives and shooter Amelia Walmsley has been accurate from the one-point range. The Steel are fifth on the ladder with a record of two wins, and four losses, for seven points. Kimiora Poi sits third for feeds with 196 and defender Carys Stythe leads the league for deflections (32) and defensive rebounds (15) and is second for intercepts (13). ANZ Premiership Monday, Wellington, 7.30pm Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Summer Temu, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Kate Heffernan, Renee Savai'inaea, Carys Stythe, Abby Lawson, Khayne-Lii Munro-Nonoa. Central Pulse: Amelia Walmsley, Amorangi Malesala, Tiana Metuarau, Gabi Simpson, Whitney Souness, Maddy Gordon, Ainsleyana Puleiata, Fa'amu Ioane, Parris Mason, Laura Balmer, Kelly Jackson.
Otago Daily Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel grab second win of the season
The Southern Steel's Aliyah Dunn slotted 47 points against the Northern Stars in Auckland this afternoon. File photo: Gregor Richardson The Southern Steel have recorded their second win of the ANZ Premiership season. They thumped the Northern Stars 62-46 in Auckland this afternoon. The Steel led 15-11 at the first quarter and maintained their lead at every break to secure the victory. Goal shoot Aliyah Dunn was sublime, slotting 47 points – including a two-pointer. Defender Carys Stythe was massive at the other end picking up five intercepts and six deflections. Full story in Monday's Otago Daily Times.
Otago Daily Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Sublime Steel take second win of the season
The Southern Steel's Aliyah Dunn slotted 47 points against the Northern Stars in Auckland this afternoon. File photo: Gregor Richardson The Southern Steel have recorded their second win of the ANZ Premiership season. They thumped the Northern Stars 62-46 in Auckland this afternoon. The Steel led 15-11 at the first quarter and maintained their lead at every break to secure the victory. Goal shoot Aliyah Dunn was sublime, slotting 47 points – including a two-pointer. Defender Carys Stythe was massive at the other end picking up five intercepts and six deflections. Full story in Monday's Otago Daily Times.
Otago Daily Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel need ‘good look at ourselves'
The Central Pulse bounced back from last week's loss to beat the Northern Stars 69-45 at Pulman Arena, in Auckland, on Saturday to open the third round of the ANZ Premiership.
