A big week for New Zealand was capped off by the crowning of the 2025 ANZ Premiership in Sunday’s grand final.
In a dramatic grand final held on Sunday, the Mainland Tactix came out firing against the Northern Mystics, and were consistent for the entire game, winning 58-46.
Netball Scoop writers, Tobey Keddy and Jaimie Keay, dissect the 2025 ANZ Premiership and analyse how the Mainland Tactix were able to break down the mighty Northern Mystics.
This season will be remembered for introducing the Summerset two-point shot to the New Zealand game alongside team time-outs and the coaches’ sideline box.
While it was recently announced that a broadcast deal has been done for next season, with the season being shown, free-to-air on TVNZ.
Lets hope that now gives teams a chance to finalise their rosters.
Grand Final Analysis
Northern Mystics vs Mainland Tactix at Trusts Arena, Auckland, Sunday, the 27th of July
A game touted as the Northern Mystics’ to lose, the Mainland Tactix dominated their opposition to win 58-46, claiming the first title for the Canterbury region in 28 years.
The Tactix came out firing from quarter one. The defensive pressure of Jane Watson and Karin Burger disrupted the offensive connection between Wallam, Vui and Toeava, generating turnovers. This defensive pressure elevated midway through the first quarter, breaking the goal split of 4-4 that began, to allow a run of 6 goals for the Tactix to push out the scoreline, 10-4. This run of 6 goals was probably where this game ended up being lost for the Mystics, as their confidence never rose.
From minute one to minute sixty, Ellie Bird had a dominant hold on Catherine Hall, creating open backspace and an easy feed into her. The reliance on a one-on-one defence by the Mystics meant the Tactix, who used Te Paea Selby Rickit heavily as a third feeder, could use their court craft and superior speed to open gaps in the attacking end, ending the first quarter 17-8.
The next three quarters were closely contested; however, the Mystics couldn’t find the formula to break into this deficit. Elisapeta Toeava was a standout in attack, stabilising the attacking flow to give them a chance. She slotted in goal attack to begin the third quarter. However, her control of the feed, her creativity to get the ball in, and her overall fitness in wing attack demonstrated her world-class level and leadership.
Throwing everything and the kitchen sink, the Mystics couldn’t break through either end of the Mainland Tactix, allowing the Tactix to sail through to a dominant and famous victory.
Key stats that saw the game won or lost were the differences in pickups and penalties between the two sides. The Tactix had 17 pickups to the Mystics’ six, showing their greater tenacity and hunger for the ball. Though both teams had a similar gain to goal rates (Tactix 78% to 71% for the Mystics) the collective combination of these pickups and an increased number of gains that generated more opportunities for the Tactix to exploit.
The differences in penalties show that the Mystics stood out of play, easing their defensive pressure too much compared to the Tactix. The Mystics had 27 more penalties than the Tactix (62 vs 35) which, if they adjusted, could have built better defensive pressure and forced the Tactix into more mistakes. Catherine Hall had 17 penalties individually, keeping her out of play too many times, when her skill and height against Ellie Bird were required.
View this post on Instagram
Catch up with The Sporting Scoop podcast on Spotify and Youtube.
Stay in the conversation with the Netball Scoop Forum.
2025 ANZ Premiership Team Summaries:
Northern Mystics
Position: Minor Premiers (Lost the Grand Final) (9W, 1L)
Despite bringing in several new players and enduring through injuries and losing several experienced players, the Northern Mystics have been the most consistent team in the competition.
In the regular season competition, the Mystics only lost one game for the entire season, which was in Round 4 against their eventual grand final opponents, the VIP Tactix.
Elisapeta Toeava has been among the best players in this year’s competition. Her finesse on the pass deceived defensive ends all season, leading the competition in feeds and the top 5 for centre pass receives. She also took on a leadership role this season, and she thrived by leading her attacking end and bringing the best out of her new shooting end options in Australian Diamond, Donnell Wallam, and New Zealand young gun Sophia Lafaiali’i.
Hear Silver Ferns coach, Dame Noeline Taurua’s thoughts on Toeava’s form in the Sporting Scoop.
The Northern Mystics came up just short of a three-peat in there grand final loss to the Tactix. Image – Graeme Laughton-Mutu
Two-point shot queen of Filda Vui was also a standout for the Mystics this season, sinking 30 super shots at 58.8%. Her consistency may make her a dark horse for a Silver Fern call-up with the unavailability of Amelieranne Ekenasio and the potential return of former Mystics’ shooter, Grace Nweke.
Touted as their area of concern preseason, the Mystics’ defence was the best in the competition. Led by 21-year-old Catherine Hall, who was outstanding in her second full season with the Northern Mystics. She led the competition in intercepts, deflections and third for defensive rebounds. She used her height, long limbs and improved movement to outmuscle her opponents. Combining with captain Micahela Sokolich-Beatson, who thrived with the mid-season change that brought her back to goal defence, the Mystics were lethal.
Stars Netball
Position: 6th (1W, 9L)
2025 will be the year that the Stars will want firmly in their rear view after finishing the season with one win and nine losses.
But it was more than likely a condition of circumstance as they suffered the loss of Greer Sinclair and Kate Burley in the opening game against the Mystics, which decimated their defensive stocks. And, in attack, they struggled to have any fluency as someone was injured or on limited minutes every week, forcing them to rely heavily on their Northern Comets side for fill-ins.
Charlie Bell in action this season for the Stars. Image – Graeme Laughton-Mutu
A standout player for the Stars was the returning Mila Reulu-Buchanan, who took out the Star’s Player of the Year, Member’s Choice award and Players’ Player of the Year. The Silver Fern squad member was essential for the Stars for her leadership in the centre, controlling the attack and defensive ends. She was third for feeds and had 14 pickups for the season, consistency on both sides that she hopes will get her selected for national honours this year.
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Position: 5th (2 W, 8L)
After an undefeated preseason and retaining of their core squad, all media outlets touted Magic as a favourite for the competition. However, with only two wins against the Stars, the Magic will be incredibly disappointed with the 2025 season.
Despite Claire O’Brien being first for centre pass receives, fourth for feeds and the two shooters being in the top ten for goals scored, they struggled to build a consistent attacking flow this season. Their 164 general play turnovers for the season is not good enough, particularly given they boast two Silver Ferns and a New Zealand A member.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio lines up a Somerset Super Shot. Image: Graeme Laughton-Mutu
Georgie Edgecombe stood out for Magic this season. The centre/wing defence looked to be reading the play better than in seasons past and used her tenacity to get clean ball. The 24-year-old was the highest-ranked midcourter for deflections in 7th and was the only midcourter in the top ten for intercepts, where she also ranked 7th with 13. Edgecombe would be a great option to bring into the Silver Ferns to see how she could perform internationally, as she is arguably the most inform wing defence in New Zealand right now.
Next season, a refresh in all three thirds of the court will be required but particularly in their defensive end after the retirement of Georgia Tong. In their midcourt they need a stronger partner for Claire O’Brien and Georgie Edgecombe, who should provide leadership in that third. While on the attacking end, finding a tall, holding shooter that will complement Ameliaranne Ekenasio will give them a point of difference.
Central Pulse
Position: 3rd (Lost Elimination Final) (6W, 4L)
Despite this year bringing in more experienced replacements, Gabi Simpson and Amorangi Malesala, to covered injured athletes, the overall cohesion of Central Pulse was not as strong. The consistent changes due to injuries unsettled the lineups, and without the doggedness of Parris Mason in the latter half of the season, the defensive end didn’t click as strongly.
Amelia Walmsley in action. Image: Graeme Laughton-Mutu
Amelia Walmsley was the dominant shooter of this year’s competition. Scoring 492 goals, at a league high 96.1%, she has grown exponentially over this season. Her hold was strong, she had better hands and her movement in both goal shooter and goal attack allowed her attacking partners to feed her easily. Walmsley has a huge back half of the year with the Netball World Youth Cup and Silver Fern’s duties (if she opts in after NWYC), and she has rightfully deserved her place at the top of New Zealand’s shooting crop.
Kelly Jackson had another strong year finishing second for intercepts, deflections and defensive rebounds, showing her immense defensive pressure on the attack. However, she dominated these stats last season, so expect her to go to the drawing board to see how she can return to the top.
Mainland Tactix
Position: Premiership Winners (2nd Place in Regular Season Standings) (7W, 3L)
The Mainland Tactix have broken the curse. After five grand final losses, they can finally add a Premiership win to the cabinet.
Despite having some tough losses and close wins, they defeated the Northern Mystics when it mattered, after losing to them in Round 10 by 14 goals.
The standout goal attack of the season has to go to Te Paea Selby-Rickit. Her control with the ball, her increased shooting volume and her connections with Ellie Bird and Erikana Pederson particularly took her game to the next level.
The defensive duo of Karin Burger and Jane Watson has grown in strength in 2025. Both were in the top 5 for intercepts and deflections, showing their ability to generate defensive ball. This combination improves yearly and finds new ways to get the ball. Their strategy of keeping space between themselves and the shooter deceives the attackers into giving flat balls, the easiest for the speedy combination to get.
Former Silver Fern, Donna Wilkins in her debut season brought the first national trophy to Ōtautahi/Christchurch. Image – Graeme Laughton-Mutu
Coach Donna Wilkins has had a phenomenal start to her coaching career, similar to her winning ways as a player with the Southern Sting. If the rumoured retirements are true, Wilkins may find herself having to rebuild certain segment of her side with an eye to the future while hoping for a back-to-back premiership.
Fun Fact: Jane Watson played the most minutes in season 2025 with 717 minutes of gameplay, missing out on three minutes in the last quarter against the Southern Steel in Round 5. In this game, she also played Wing Defence.
Southern Steel
Position: 4th (5W, 5L)
The Southern Steel has come a long way in 2025. With a new head coach in Wendy Frew and Liana Leota as the Assistant and several new players, the Steel were close in rectifying the last two seasons and making the playoffs.
Kimiora Poi was their most consistent player this season. She was in the top five for feeds, had 23 pickups and her reliability with the ball meant she had a low turnover rate.
In her first season with the Steel, Kimiora Poi was once again a consistent performer in the midcourt. Image – Graeme Laughton-Mutu
Ayliah Dunn, in her first season with the Steel, took her game to another level in 2025. She was second in goals scored, amassing 395 goals at 92.1%. Combine this with 12 super shots and her elevated movement, Dunn will look to be pushing for a Silver Fern Trials spot in 2025.
The move from the Mystics down south has worked wonders for Carys Stythe. First in defensive rebounds, third in intercepts and fourth for deflections, Stythe stood up to the challenge of consistent game time this year. She was an anchor for the Steel defence end, creating several opportunities by using her strong movement, physicality and reach to throw attacking ends off.
