SUNDAY afternoon sees the biggest day in New Zealand domestic netball – the ANZ Premiership Grand Final.

It is a battle between the minor premiers and the reigning premiers as the Pulse take on the Mystics, but will the trophy be staying in Wellington or heading north to Auckland?

GRAND FINAL

Central Pulse vs Northern Mystics
Sunday at 2:05pm local time (4:05pm AEST)
TSB Bank Arena

JOURNEY TO THE GRAND FINAL

It has been a season to remember for the Pulse.

After the heartache of losing out on a Grand Final spot by one goal in 2023, the Pulse have been the team to beat just abut all season and claimed the minor premiership and a week off after a final round win over the Tactix.

The Mystics on the other hand have had a very rocky premiership defence, and only locked in their finals berth in the final round of the home and away season. They booked their spot in the decider after a hard fought win over the Tactix in last weekend’s Elimination Final.

2024 HISTORY

This weekend will be the fourth time these two sides have met this season.

Back in round four, the Pulse won by five goals after a second half fightback. The Mystics lead by 11 goals at the main break, but a 32-16 goal second half from the Pulse saw them run over the top of the opposition.

Then in round nine, the Pulse were even more dominant and ran out 16 goal winners. The middle two quarters were where they really dominated, restricting the Mystics to only six goals in the second quarter and nine in the third.

Finally in round 14, it was the Mystics who prevailed by 10 goals. The quarter by quarter scores were dead even in the first and last term, but the Mystics had a particularly strong second quarter, which ultimately proved the difference.

KEY PLAYERS

For the Pulse their defence has been one of the most impressive all season. Kelly Jackson leads the entire competition in defensive rebounds, deflections and intercepts, and has been really well assisted by the likes of Parris Mason.

Meanwhile for the Mystics it is hard to go past the powerful partnership of Grace Nweke and Elisapeta Toeava. Their feeding into the circle combination has been rock solid for a long time, and massively crucial in the Mystics’ success over recent seasons.

PREDICTION

It is likely to be a tight match, but the Pulse should ultimately prevail. They have been the more consistent side this season, and if the partnership between Nweke and Toeava gets broken in any way, the Mystics come undone, which has happened a few times this season.