JUST two ANZ Premiership games are set to take place this Sunday, as the first COVID-19 interruption has delayed the Northern Stars and Central Pulse match. In the two going ahead, reigning premiers Northern Mystics will hit the road to take on the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, whilst last year’s preliminary finalists – Mainland Tactix and Southern Steel – go head-to-head.

Reigning premiers Northern Mystics will kick off their title defence against a side that could well have been in their place had they kept their early season form on-point. The Northern Stars finished fourth last season after looking so lively in the first half of the year, but faded with four consecutive losses, and will look to regroup with a fresh start here.

The reigning champions have a powerful attack with Grace Nweke and Monica Falkner teaming up, after the Mystics lost Saviour Tui to the Steel. The defensive combination of Phoenix Karaka and Sulu Fitzpatrick, along with Michaela Sokolich-Beatson is what will be key to the Mystics going back-to-back, whilst Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) fans will be keen to see how Claire O’Brien fares in the league. The Stars have welcomed back Kayla Johnson to join evergreen veteran Anna Harrison who is more than twice her opponent Nweke’s age. At the other end of the court, Jamie Hume and Maia Wilson will look to put pressure on the Mystics star defensive combination.

In a rematch of last year’s preliminary final, the Mainland Tactix will host Southern Steel in what promises to be a beauty of a clash. The Tactix will be without star defender Jane Watson this season due to her expecting her first child, but with 2021 ANZ Premiership Player of the Year in Karin Burger still back there, the Tactix are in safe hands. Fijian defender Kelera Nawai and past player Kate Lloyd have come back, with the attacking duo of Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Ellie Bird a fierce duo.

The Steel have plenty of talent themselves across the board, with Tui replacing Tiana Metuarau in the goal circle alongside impressive first-year recruit last season George Fisher, whilst Georgia Heffernan makes her feel-good return. Suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Heffernan is set to return this season to team up with twin sister Kate Heffernan. Meanwhile the micourt battle between Shannon Saunders (Steel) and Kimiora Poi (Tactix) is not to be missed.

Note: This match was initially scheduled for Monday, March 14, but was postponed under the league’s COVID-19 Match Postponement Policy, and the ANZ Premiership will confirm a new date for the fixture in the near future.