WITH the ANZ Premiership done and dusted for the season we reflect on each teams’ year. The first cab off the rank is Central Pulse who claimed the title credit to their impressive season.

Ladder: 1st
Win-loss: 13-2
Percentage: 126.6%

With an impressive coaching panel and a classy line-up with star players across the court, the Central Pulse looked threatening from the get-go to run out eventual premiers. It is their first premiership in 21 years having made it to the past few grand finals but falling agonisingly short. The Central Pulse stamped their authority on the competition, going on a whopping 10-game winning streak with their first loss coming in Round 11 against the Southern Steel. They were a well-oiled machine with their slick ball movement, crisp passing and pressure right across the court.

The combination between shooters Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Aliyah Dunn proved to be a formidable duo with the two seamlessly rotating through the circle and showcasing their ability to go to post. Both goalers dominated in the circle throughout the season with Dunn leading the way with the highest shooting accuracy of the competition at 92 per cent. She sits fourth on the ladder for number of shots scoring 521 of her 565 attempts while her partner in crime sits sixth – highlighting their shooting prowess. Ekenasio put up 419 shots and converted 328 at 78 per cent but it was her connection with Dunn that did the most damage. Her work out the front and over the transverse line assisted the Pulse midcourt while she also created good space for Dunn in the circle. The talented goal attack also racked up 198 centre pass receives. Tiana Metuarau was also a key player for the Pulse with her cameo appearances providing a different element in the goal circle. She was composed with ball in hand and was not afraid to put the shot up making her an important addition to the Pulse line-up.

Through the midcourt the Pulse also oozed skill and speed. Pocket rocket Whitney Souness was electric and helped to provide dynamic movement in the attack end for the Pulse with her quick feet, ability to hit the circle edge and vision into the circle making her a dominant threat for the Pulse. She was the competition leader for centre pass receives with 370, highlighting her immense work rate. Credit to her work in and around the circle edge and variety of passes into the goal circle, Souness amassed 509 feeds. Souness was closely followed by centre, Claire Kersten who showcased her dominance around the circle edge with her precision feeds, quick ball movement and good timing. She ended the season with 373 feeds while her partnership with Souness was imperative in helping the Pulse to fire in attack with the two creating good space for one another and working the ball around to deliver the ball into the circle. Kersten’s defensive efforts were equally as impressive applying good hands over pressure and contesting every ball. Wing defence and circle defender Karin Burger highlighted her ability to turn a game on its head with her defensive pressure and long reach causing havoc for her opposition. She displayed her impeccable timing consistently throughout the season sitting fourth for deflections with 79 for the season while she claimed top spot for intercepts with 41. Her speed off the mark and ability to read the play was a real feature of her game. Maddy Gordon was also a solid option through the midcourt for the Pulse with her composure and precision with ball in hand.

Defensively the Pulse had a plethora of stars to choose from with Burger able to rotate through while Sulu Fitzpatrick and Katrina Rore dominated in their own right. Fitzpatrick used her body positioning to push her opponents up high and applied strong physical pressure to win the ball and attack the hands. Her vision was also imperative for the Pulse while her connection and understanding with Rore allowed the two to float back or go out hunting making them a dangerous duo. Fitzpatrick finished second on the season ladder for rebounds with 35 and also managed 63 deflections. Though she was expensive at times drawing the attention of the umpire with 151 penalties she won her fair share of the ball back and was a real play maker down in defence. The experience of Rore shone through multiple times picking up a crucial intercept or a timely tip to inject life into her side and spur them on. She used her body to block out her opponents gathering 23 rebounds and 77 deflections for her efforts throughout the season. Elle Temu also provided a great option in defence with her hands over pressure and attack on the ball.