IT all comes down to the final game of the season as the reigning premiers, Central Pulse look to make it two in a row while the Mainland Tactix are on the prowl for their inaugural piece of silverware. The Tactix will be riding a wave of confidence after knocking off the ladder leaders in Round 9 as their speed in transition and defensive efforts stifled the Pulse’s movement. On the other hand the Pulse know what it takes to win on the big stage and withstand the constant forays.

Central Pulse v. Mainland Tactix
Sunday, 23 August

With an extra week off the Pulse will be hoping that speedster Maddy Gordon is raring to go with the wing attack a key cog in attack with her drive, 1-2 punch around circle edge and quick feeds into the goal circle. Partner in crime through the midcourt Claire Kersten is another integral member of the Pulse attack and defensive unit given her skill and netball smarts to transition between the two roles seamlessly. She is often that link from the defensive third into the attacking third and controls the tempo of the game to ensure that possession is treasured for the Pulse. However she will have to compete with the speed of Kimiora Poi who has been in scintillating form towards the back end of the season for the Tactix. Poi has developed into a real barometer for the side, able to hit the circle edge in attack to deliver ball into the shooters while also pick up ball defensively.

Wing defence Charlotte Elley has also flown under the radar in season 2020 with the midcourter able to quell the influence of her opposition with her fancy footwork and intimidating three-foot lean to block their vision. Samon Nathan has also plied her trade in the wing defence position, using her speed and attacking mindset to match up on her opponents. Up the other end for the Tactix, Erikana Pedersen has not skipped a beat since returning from injury this season with the wing attack darting around the circle and using clever baulks to draw the attention of the defender and then release the ball into the circle. She will have her work cut out for her up against Silver Ferns and Pulse wing defence Karin Burger given her impressive footwork, height and deceptive closing speed to hunt the ball 24/7.

This game will be a game of defensive masterclasses with Katrina Rore and Kelly Jury both phenomenal athletes for the Pulse and able to win back a wealth of ball for their side. Jury is incredibly strong on the hold and in the air meaning that Ellie Bird will have to be on her a-game if she is to run a riot under the posts and give the Tactix any chance of winning their first premiership. Bird has shown in recent weeks that she is a real competitor and can adapt her game accordingly to ensure she has a profound impact on the scoreboard. It will also come down to whether or not Rore can nullify the influence of Te Paea Selby-Rickit not only in the goal circle but in the attacking third in general given she is a key playmaker for the Tactix with her crafty passes, vision, and spatial awareness. Selby-Rickit has proven to be a real barometer for her side, able to dictate the flow of in attack and often brings Bird into the game with her ability to draw the attention of the defender and isolate the 196cm shooter under the post.

The battles do not stop there as Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau head the defensive unit for the Mainland Tactix faced with the difficult task of shutting down the prolific Pulse shooting circle. Watson is an integral member of the Tactix line-up with the captain able to cleanly intercept the ball and remain in play to build pressure on the Pulse frontline and cause errors. Her defensive partner in Fakahokotau also builds pressure but through her physicality at the contest, aerial ability and vision to go out hunting and gobble up intercepts. However the Pulse are not without star power of their own in the goal circle with Aliyah Dunn able to hold strong in front position and use her footwork to edge closer to the post time and time again. She is a prominent figure and an easy release target down the line for the Pulse when in trouble something the Tactix will be hoping to shut down. The influence of Ameliaranne Ekenasio is also vital for the Central Pulse with the goal attack able to set the court alight with her silky movement, spatial awareness, and second phase play to continuously create movement in the attacking third. She is also not afraid to take the game on and engage in some body on body contact to win the ball under the post while also back herself from range making her a real threat. The Pulse also have a trump card in Tiana Metuarau with the 19-year-old able to swing between goal attack and wing attack with a blink of an eye and change the outlook of the game with her decision making and composure.

This game will go down to the wire as both sides boast formidable line-ups with game changers across the court. If Pulse regain Gordon and Ekenansio after they missed Round 9 they could be placed in a good stead to claim back-to-back premierships given their impressive connections across the court and quick transition through court.