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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
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
End of season came too soon for Steel coach
Wendy Frew would dearly love another round. The Southern Steel coach knows the potential her side possessed this season — and that they could have done even better had the ANZ Premiership not been slashed back to 10 rounds. They wrapped up their season on Monday night to finish fourth, their highest finish since 2022, with five wins and five losses. Preseason injuries stunted the Steel's preparation, and losing co-captain and Silver Fern Kate Heffernan for the early rounds was a big blow. The Steel were slow out of the blocks, and lost three on the trot in the middle of the season, but they came home strongly, and there is a general feeling they are on the right path. "We'd love another round," Frew said. "You kind of look back and think you're that one win away from the top three. "I feel like this group of players could have been really competitive in the top three, so that hurts us. "But we'll learn from it and we'll be better off for that experience. Especially those players who haven't experienced just missing out. "It'll grow them as players and just make them probably extremely hungry for the future." There are always highs and lows from every campaign, but it is hard to look past the Steel beating the Central Pulse 58-57 in round seven as the moment of the season. After getting a 25-point hiding earlier in the season, the bench erupted in pure ecstasy at the final whistle. "The Pulse game was a biggie for us. After the game, you just see pure joy." Several players flourished in their first season in the blue and pink. Defender Carys Stythe took a "massive punt" leaving the premiership-winning Northern Mystics to join the Steel. But she reached new heights in leading the competition for defensive rebounds (21) and ranking third for deflections (52) and intercepts (19), and was "exceptional", Frew said. Aliyah Dunn returned home to Invercargill and was rock-solid under the hoop, finishing second in the league for shooting accuracy. She nailed 383 from 400 attempts in the one-point zone. Her coach would not mind seeing her get an international recall. "Oh, I'd love to see Aliyah in a Ferns dress," Frew said. "That's up to the Ferns, and the Ferns selectors, but I think she's had a tremendous season." Young Serina Daunakamakama stepped up at wing attack early in the season and Frew said she was one to watch for the future. Daunakamakama, Summer Temu and Khayne-Lii Munro-Nonoa will all trial at the end of the month for the New Zealand under-21 side for the Netball World Youth Cup. Frew has grown in the role of head coach in her first season at the helm. The former Southern Steel captain has a proud history with the franchise — including being a centurion — and said there had been a lot to learn in her inaugural season. "I think you learn on the spot. "I've been really proud of the campaign I've put together, but there's always going to be work. "For me, I'm just so extremely lucky to have La [assistant Liana Leota] by my side. "She obviously had so much experience and she's guided me in ways where, as a new coach, I was trying to find my feet. "I'll be forever grateful to her, and all of the management team, just having my back and ensuring we're working as a team." Frew acknowledged the same 10 contracted players never returned to any franchise each year and many would get offers elsewhere. But she backed the talent among the squad and would love nothing more than to have the core back hunting for that elusive title next year. "It'd be great to keep the bulk of the squad. "From what we've created, and how we've grown this year as a team, if we can push on and get a good majority of them back, it'll be an exciting season for next year."
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel get job done, finish 4th
You will take a win even if it's a grind. The Southern Steel have wrapped up their ANZ Premiership season with a 61-55 victory against the Northern Stars in front of a loud Stadium Southland crowd. It might not have been the prettiest win, but the Steel finish fourth on the ladder, their highest finish since 2022, with a record of five wins for the season. Leading 45-43 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Steel let the Stars come back to level the score in the opening minutes. But defender Carys Stythe put that momentum to bed with a big outside arm tip and returned a three-point lead to the Steel. Abby Lawson took her feet through the ball and came up with the intercept of the game. Then the Stars were reduced to six players, after taking too long with an injury replacement, and the Steel pounced to extend to a seven-point lead. Georgia Heffernan was superb for the Steel with her crafty court work and Stythe was massive at the back with five deflections, three gains and two intercepts. Earlier, the Steel sat back in a defensive box, pushing the Stars attackers out wide. But it opened up when Tori Kolose fired a nice ball through the middle to captain Maia Wilson, who held her ground strongly. It helped the visitors claw back to a level score midway through the opener. Remi Kamo and Aliyah Dunn battled under the post for position and Kamo started to cover Dunn's every move. That brought Georgia Heffernan into the game more, cutting around the top and going to the post. Just as the Stars looked to take the lead, Renee Savai'inaea picked the pocket on the circle edge. The Steel chewed up the last 20 seconds on the clock and Heffernan nailed a two-pointer on the buzzer for the Steel to lead 14-10. Kimiora Poi did a power of work in the midcourt for the Steel. She cut hard to the top of the circle and found some nice placements on her feeds. Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was everywhere in the midcourt for the Stars and provided quality ball for her shooters. But Stythe made her job hard. The defender caused all sorts of problems for the Stars attackers and had a physical test with Wilson. Lili Tokaduadua went for a fly and picked up a screaming intercept to level the game 18-18 midway through the second. Wilson's hold opened up the 45 angle for her feeders and the Stars defence tightened up. Still the Steel ground away and found some nice passages to their shooters. But the second quarter belonged to the Stars, winning it 18-14, to level the scores 28-28 at halftime. Savai'inaea, an underrated cog in the Steel midcourt, picked the pocket to open the third, but the Steel squandered the opportunity again. But the Steel started to set better structures on attack, and Dunn held better space in the circle to let the ball go to her. Stythe's defence over Crystal Maro's shot was impeccable, holding her ground as the young goal attack stepped in. Penalties built from frustration crept into the game from both teams as only one point separated them. The Steel went on a run giving them a four-point buffer but yet again the Stars closed the gap ahead of the two-point time. Lawson snaffled a crucial rebound and made quick work of bringing it through court. But Wilson nailed a two-pointer at the end of the third for the Stars to trail 45-43. ANZ Premiership The scores Southern Steel 61 Aliyah Dunn 42 (42/43), Georgia Heffernan 19 (17/26). Northern Stars 55 Maia Wilson 50 (47/49), Crystal Maro 5 (5/9), Marie Hansen 0 (0/2). Quarter scores: Southern Steel 14-10, 28-28, 45-43.
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Crushing blow for Steel
Amorangi Malesala's hot hand has crushed the Southern Steel's playoff hopes. The Central Pulse replacement goal attack nailed a two-pointer on the buzzer for the Wellington side to snatch a 56-54 victory against the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic on Saturday. The Pulse needed to win to cement third place and make it through to the playoffs. That means the Steel — no matter the result of tonight's game against the Northern Stars in Invercargill — will finish fourth on the ANZ Premiership ladder. It is a gutting blow for the Steel, who have been much-improved this season and were in with a shot of making the playoffs for the first time since 2021. But they will take plenty of heart from the season and earn their highest finish since they finished fourth in 2022. The Pulse now advance to the elimination final against the Mainland Tactix, who finished second, in Christchurch on Sunday. The Northern Mystics thumped the Tactix 70-56 yesterday to advance straight to the final. The defending champions earned the week off and will host the final in a fortnight.
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel finish season on winning note
You will take a win even if it's a grind. The Southern Steel have wrapped up their ANZ Premiership season with a 61-55 victory against the Northern Stars in front of a loud Stadium Southland crowd. It might not have been the prettiest win, but the Steel finish fourth on the ladder – their highest finish since 2022 - with a record of five wins for the season. Leading 45-43 at the start of the fourth, the Steel let the Stars come back to level the score in the opening minutes. But defender Carys Stythe put that momentum to bed with a big outside arm tip and returned a three-point lead to the Steel. Abby Lawson took her feet through the ball and came up with the intercept of the game. Then the Stars were reduced to six players – after taking too long with an injury replacement – and the Steel pounced to extend to a seven-point lead. Georgia Heffernan was superb for the Steel with her crafty court work and Stythe was massive at the back with five deflections, three gains and two intercepts. Earlier, the Steel sat back in a defensive box, pushing the Stars attackers out wide. But it opened up when Tori Kolose fired a nice ball through the middle to captain Maia Wilson, who held her ground strong. It helped the visitors claw back to a level score midway through the opener. Remi Kamo and Aliyah Dunn battled under the post for position and Kamo started to cover Dunn's every move. It brought Georgia Heffernan in to the game more, cutting around the top and going to the post. Just as the Stars looked to take the lead, Renee Savai'inaea picked the pocket on the circle edge. The Steel chewed up the last 20 seconds on the clock and Heffernan nailed a two-pointer on the buzzer for the Steel to lead 14-10. Kimiora Poi did a power of work in the midcourt for the Steel. She cut hard to the top of the circle and found some nice placements on her feeds. Mila Reuelu-Buchanan was everywhere in the midcourt for the Stars and provided quality ball for her shooters. But Stythe made her job hard. The defender caused all sorts of problems for the Stars attackers and had a physical test with Wilson. Lili Tokaduadua went for a fly and picked up a screaming intercept to level the game 18-18 midway through the second. Wilson's hold opened up the 45 angle for her feeders and the Stars defence tightened up. Still the Steel ground away and found some nice passages to their shooters. But the second quarter belonged to the Stars, winning the quarter 18-14, to level the scores 28-28 at halftime. Savai'inaea – an underrated cog in the Steel's midcourt – picked the pocket to open the third, but the Steel squandered the opportunity again. But the Steel started to set better structures on attack, and Dunn held better space in the circle to let the ball go to her. Stythe's defence over Crystal Maro's shot was impeccable, holding her ground as the young goal attack stepped in. Penalties build from frustration crept in to the game from both teams as only one-point separated them. The Steel went on a run giving them a four-point buffer but yet again, the Stars closed the gap ahead of the two-point time. Abby Lawson snaffled a crucial rebound and made quick work of bringing it through court. But Wilson nailed a two-pointer at the end of the third for the Stars to trail 45-43.
