WITH the grand final approaching there is plenty of excitement surrounding the ANZ Premiership. The final structure is quite different to many other leagues with three and two set to face off with the winner playing first place in the grand final. Therefore, the Southern Steel and Northern Stars are set to do battle with the winner of the clash moving on to play the Central Pulse in the grand final.

Southern Steel v. Northern Stars

It is all or nothing for both teams with the loser of this match going home after making it so close to the grand final. The Steel have been in hot form in recent weeks with their connections down court on point and accuracy to post causing real headaches for their opponents. On the other hand, the Northern Stars have been hot and cold. When they have been hot they have almost been unstoppable with ball winners across the court, but if they do not produce a full four quarter performance they will struggle against the Steel.

The match-up between Stars goal shooter, Maia Wilson and Steel goal keeper, Te Huinga Selby-Rickit will be exciting with both players lynchpins in their respective sides. Wilson is the predominant shooter given her height, strength under the post and clever movement in the goal circle. While Selby-Rickit plays an integral role in defence for the Steel with her ability to shut down her opponent and starve opportunity to goal. The Stars will be hoping that the shooting return from Ellen Halpenny or Charlee Hodges is up to take the pressure off Wilson.

Up the other end the battle between Steel shooters, Lenize Potgieter and Te Paea Selby-Rickit against Stars defenders, Leana de Bruin and Storm Purvis will be entertaining to watch. Potgieter has proven time and time again that she is dominant to post, can hold space and has the ability to shake up her style to make her a real threat in the goal circle. Her partnership with Selby-Rickit has also improved throughout the course of the season with their shooter to shooter interplay, quick hands and slick movement in the circle a real feature of their game, making them hard to stop when on a roll. The Stars ooze plenty of experience and apply strong defensive pressure credit to Purvis and de Bruin. Another key player in the defensive end for the Stars is Kayla Cullen who is integral in limiting the feeds into the opposition circle.