THE ANZ Premiership preseason tournament brought plenty of excitement with each of the six teams testing out new combinations and proving not to be afraid of switching things up. the Northern Stars look like the real deal heading into the season proper while the Mainland Tactix also impressed. There were a number of players that stepped up to the plate across the three days; we take a look at one player from each side that stood out for their respective team.

Northern Mystics

Earning a call-up to the main squad, Northern Mystics goaler Filda Vui made a lasting imprint throughout the tournament. Vui showcased a wealth of versatility to seamlessly transition between wing attack and goal attack while also proving that she is more than capable of holding her own in goal shooter. She grew with confidence in each performance, using her silky footwork and timing to carve up the defence and be a commanding force. Not the tallest player out on court, it was Vui’s netball smarts and speed that made her so impressive to combine with the likes of Bailey Mes, Grace Nweke and Saviour Tui. She was not fazed by the physical nature of the game, instead adapting to the pace and using her footwork to get on the move and dodge along the goalline time and time again.

Northern Stars

Coming out of retirement, the highly talented Anna Harrison did not skip a beat for the Northern Stars. The defender lit up the court with her aerial presence unmatched and her long limbs allowing her to wreak havoc. With innate timing and an insatiable thirst for a rebound, Harrison controlled the airwaves for the Stars, constantly bounding into action. Her versatility was also a focal point in her game play switching between goal keeper and goal defence in the blink of an eye and doing so effortlessly. Harrison displayed her fancy footwork and read of the play to out-manoeuvre her opponent on multiple occasions while her attacking drive through the middle enabled her to open up the court. Her connection with Elle Temu grew rapidly throughout the tournament with the duo proving to be rock solid.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

Playing in her new colours, wing attack Grace Kara seemed to have the ball on a string in attack and showcased her versatility inside the circle too. Her timing was nothing short of impressive able to dart across the court and hit the circle edge with great conviction. Her quick fire passes into the circle made all the difference, able to perfectly weight the pass into either Caitlin Bassett, Chiara Semple or Khiarna Williams. An experienced head, Kara did not look out of place instead she dictated the play in attack, often balancing out the circle and implementing some clever triangle play to open up the circle. Her footwork was impressive, dodging one way then the other to break free and create multiple attacking forays.

Central Pulse

With a new look defensive unit, goal keeper Kelly Jury found herself out of her comfort zone spending a wealth of time out in goal defence. The towering defender impressed with her versatility, not skipping a beat and effectively plying her trade out the front to employ some strong hands over pressure and limit easy ball movement down the court. Deceptively quick on her feet, Jury was able to spring into action and also had the nous to double-down on the attacker when needed to help out the goal keeper in newcomer Kelera Nawai. Most effective down back in goal keeper, able to post up on the goal shooter and peel off to take the intercept, Jury still impressed further up the court with her transitional play coming to the fore.

Mainland Tactix

With a relatively unchanged line-up from last year, the Tactix proved to be a real threat to be reckoned with across the three day tournament. The influence of centre, Kimiora Poi was undeniable with the zippy midcourter able to change the course of a game in an instant. Her speed, timing and quick hands enabled the Tactix to push forward within the blink of an eye. She is not often out of the contest, able to work her way back into the game and is that real link between the two ends of the court. Poi boasts great spatial awareness and connected with the frequently changing attack in Erikana Pedersen, Samon Nathan along with Jess Prosser and Te Paea Selby-Rickit. She is a smooth mover that is not afraid to insert herself into the thick of things to help her side re-set in attack and then push forward once again which was evident over the weekend.

Southern Steel

In search of more consistent game time Tiana Metuarau made the move to the Southern Steel and quickly made a name for herself in her new colours. Oozing good timing and a high netball IQ the shooter was able to influence the attacking tempo for the Steel. Her ability to swing between goal attack and goal shooter was impressive, not losing her flair or composure and instead just burrowing in and getting the job done. Her timing and clever footwork came to the fore with the goaler able to dart along the baseline or drive hard into the circle to make her presence felt. Although her accuracy wavered at times there is still plenty of development left in her, while her partnership with George Fisher is definitely something to look forward to.