We take a look at the Southern Steel's competition for next season.
Northern Mystics
Gains: Sulu Fitzpatrick, Dani Gray, Saviour Tui.
Losses: Erena Mikaere, Grace Kukutai, Jamie Hume.
Overview: Not dissimilar to last year’s side, which was improving towards the season’s end. Fitzpatrick comes in to join Phoenix Karaka and Mikaela Sokolich-Beatson in a strong defensive end, while youngster Grace Nweke joins Bailey Mes in a potentially dangerous shooting pair. Dunedin’s Gray returns to top-level netball after missing this year with a serious knee injury.
Northern Stars
Gains: Jamie Hume, Daystar Swift, Julianna Naoupu, Lisa Mather, Fa’amu Ioane, Grace Kara.
Losses: Temepara Bailey, Leana de Bruin, Charlee Hodges, Kayla Cullen, Holly Fowler, Ellen Halpenny.
Overview: Plenty of change from the team that made this year’s final. Experience exists all over the court, although the like of Kara and Ioane return after missing 2019. Maia Wilson will be key at goal shoot, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Daystar Swift brings height to the defensive circle.
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Gains: Whitney Souness, Holly Fowler, Erena Mikaere, Georgia Tong.
Losses: Kelly Jury, Casey Kopua, Sydney Fraser, Lisa Mather.
Overview: Lost a ton of defensive experience in Jury and Kopua, but Mikaere is a great replacement. Fowler and Souness are quality pick-ups at either end of the midcourt and join Sam Sinclair and Ariana Cable-Dixon.
Central Pulse
Gains: Kelly Jury, Renee Savai’inaea.
Losses: Whitney Souness, Sulu Fitzpatrick.
Overview: The losses are significant, but Jury and youngster Maddy Gordon offer quality replacements. Still strong all over with Katrina Rore and Karin Burger returning, while Aliyah Dunn and Ameliaranne Ekenasio anchor a quality shooting end.
Mainland Tactix
Gains: Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jess Prosser.
Losses: Kate Beveridge, Kate Lloyd, Lily Marshall.
Overview: Looking increasingly strong across the court. Adding Selby-Rickit makes a potentially very good shooting duo with Ellie Bird. The defensive duo of Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau is one of the Premiership’s best, while the Kimiora Poi-led midcourt is improving every year.
