IT is not long until the ANZ Premiership kicks off for another season, with Rookie Me Central taking a look at how each team is shaping up ahead of the new year. In this part of the two-part preview, we look at the three finalists from 2021, with the next edition to feature the bottom three sides.

NORTHERN MYSTICS

Last season: Champions

The reigning premiers should be set defensively, with some huge inclusions. Phoenix Karaka returns to the club after missing last season due to her pregnancy, and she and the terribly unlucky Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (who has not played ANZ Premiership since 2019) will replace the outgoing defenders in Kate Burley and Ama Agbeze. The 39-year-old Agbeze held up the experience lost with Karaka out of he side, whilst Burley has headed to the Steel alongside young shooter Saviour Tui.

With Tui gone, the Mystics recruited Monica Falkner to fill the void in the shooting circle, though with Grace Nweke in attack, the Mystics will always have a threatening lineup. Sulu Fitzpatrick will team up with Karaka up the other end, providing talent both ways. In the midcourt, Australian Claire O’Brien has joined the club after experience with both the Swifts and GIANTS, and she will team up with pocket rocket Elisapeta Toeava. Rounding out the squad are Tayla Earle, Fa’amu Ioane and Filda Vui.

In: Monica Falkner (Stars), Claire O’Brien, Phoenix Karaka (pregnancy), Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (injury)
Out: Ama Agbeze, Kate Burley (Steel), Bailey Mes (Magic), Saviour Tui (Steel)

MAINLAND TACTIX

Last season: Runner-up

Losing international defender Jane Watson who is expecting her first child this year will be a big blow to last year’s grand finalists, but the Tactix still have plenty to like about the squad. Watson’s Silver Ferns’ partner-in-crime Karin Burger remains in the squad, fresh off her ANZ Premiership Player of the Year award in 2021. To assist up the defensive end, the Tactix have also brought in Fijian defender Kelera Nawai-Caucau from the Pulse, and 2019 member Kate Lloyd has returned to the team.

Up the shooting end, the Tactix are well balanced, with likely starters Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Ellie Bird more than capable of putting up big scores each week. They will work alongside rising talents Hannah Glen and recent full-time contract addition Vika Koloto who make the step up from training partners to senior members. Though the middle third, Kimiora Poi, Charlotte Elley and Samon Nathan make a formidable trio.

In: Hannah Glen, Vika Koloto (2021 training partners), Kate Lloyd (Tactix 2019), Kelera Nawai-Caucau (Pulse)
Out: Jane Watson (pregnancy), Sophia Fenwick, Erikana Pedersen, Jess Prosser

SOUTHERN STEEL

Last season: Third

Rising up against the odds in 2021, the young team punched above its weight in the ANZ Premiership to make the finals off the back of some shrewd recruiting. The addition of Roses international George Fisher paid dividends, and she teamed up well with Tiana Metuarau in the shooting circle. Tui has joined the Steel from the reigning premiers to add further depth to that end of the court, whilst her former and current teammate in Burley has also joined the side from the Mystics to assist up the other end of the court.

Suffering an anterior cruiate ligament (ACL) injury, Georgia Heffernan will return to the court once againt to team up with twin sister Kate Heffernan, whilst Shannon Saunders makes the Steel’s midfield a reliable one. Burley will team up with Te Huinga Selby-Rickit up the defensive end, with a number of other rising talents to remember. Rounding out the 2022 team are Renee Savai’inaea, Ali Wilshier and Sarahpheinna Woulf.

In: Kate Burley (Mystics), Georgia Heffernan (injury, 2020 Steel), Saviour Tui (Mystics)
Out: Taneisha Fifita, Tiana Metuarau (Pulse), Kiana Pelasio