THE final piece of the puzzle has been filled for Central Pulse with the reigning premiers announcing their full roster for the 2021 ANZ Premiership season. After winning back-to-back grand finals, the Pulse will be without a couple of lynchpins with Karin Burger departing the club and Tiana Metuarau joining the Southern Steel over the off-season.

There was plenty of speculation surrounding who may join the shooting end in 2021 with Metuarau departing and the delay in the team announcement however the Pulse have kept it local picking up the services of Te Amo Amaru-Tibble. The versatile goaler was a part of the Pulse side back in 2017 and has been a frequent figure in the Wellington netball scene since. She will join premiership winning duo Aliyah Dunn and Ameliaranne Ekenasio who are back again, their combination has only gotten stronger and will once again be hoping to push for a finals spot if not premiership in 2021.

Speaking of familiar faces, dynamic wing attack Whitney Souness has re-joined the club after a short stint with the Magic. The midcourter has speed to burn and could complement the likes of Maddy Gordon who has been a revelation in at wing attack but was a former wing defence, a spot that has become vacant now that Burger has left. Gordon rose into Silver Ferns contention thanks to her fancy footwork, speed off the mark, quick hands and ability to apply defensive pressure to constantly regain possession for her side, making her an exciting prospect for the Pulse. Centre, Claire Kersten also returns for the Pulse through the middle with her composed nature a key facet of her game play while youngster Paris Lokotui has been elevated for the coming season. Lokotui is able to play both centre and wing defence credit to her defensive nous.

Defensively the Pulse will look to bleed up some young players with the likes of Parris Mason joining the squad for the 2021 season as Katrina Rore and Kelly Jury headline that defensive goal circle once again. Jury was in career best form in the latter half of the season with her lean over the shot, intercepting ability and rebounding skills on full display while Rore proved that age is just a number transitioning the ball well through the court and consistently getting hands to ball to disrupt the oppositions flow.

The changes did not stop there with coach Yvette McCausland-Durie moving on from the Pulse making way for Gail Parata to come through and take the reins. Parata has a wealth of experience and is no stranger to the Pulse environment having been an assistant coach in 2011. There is plenty of excitement building, surrounding the 2021 ANZ Premiership season with some big shake-ups to team line-ups making for an enthralling season of netball.

Full squad:

Te Amo Amaru-Tibble
Aliyah Dunn
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Maddy Gordon
Kelly Jury
Claire Kersten
Paris Lokotui
Parris Mason
Katrina Rore
Whitney Souness