The Southern Steel coach scrolled through her saved recordings on her television earlier this week, searching for a specific game — the 2018 ANZ Premiership final.
Even today it is almost unbelievable the Steel — led by captain Frew in her final game — came from being 12 points down to beat the Central Pulse 54-53 and win back-to-back titles.
‘‘It’s still cool to talk about it,’’ Frew told the Otago Daily Times.
‘‘I watched the game and I’ve been seeing little highlights come in.
‘‘For me that year we lived our values as a team and in the crucial moments, the last three to four minutes, everyone executed what we’d been practising all year.
‘‘It’s definitely a highlight of my career to watch back over that very fondly ...and just how cool it was to win a game like that — especially my last professional game.’’
Frew returned to her beloved franchise as head coach last year and has led them to their first final — since her last game as a player — in eight years tonight.
They will meet the Northern Mystics at Trusts Arena in Auckland tonight.
It was a privilege to lead the Steel, but she praised the entire franchise for getting her side back in the playoff picture.
‘‘I’m only a little piece of this puzzle. A lot of it goes to their hard work, dedication, sweat and tears they’ve been doing for the last 22 weeks.
‘‘I want to give all the credit to the girls and also the management team. They’re fantastic in everything they do and the franchise, too.
‘‘It’s such a massive team effort that goes into it, but I’m just really proud that the girls have put themselves in the opportunity to be playing in the final and potentially get the win.’’
Their focus remained one game at a time, a foundation built on hard work, doing the basics well and trusting the person next to you.
‘‘We’ve worked extremely hard at training and the girls have bought into the environment.
‘‘They’re just a good bunch of girls who work hard for each other and on the court. They’re very united and achieving that goal.’’
The Steel have been through tough times in recent years, including losing 21 straight games for a winless season in 2023.
The buzz surrounding the team has returned, with sold-out games in Invercargill and Dunedin — the first in the franchise’s history — and fans lining up for autographs and selfies after games.
‘‘It’s actually really cool when you actually take time to sit down and reflect on it.
‘‘There’s such a buzz and it’s a real honour to create that buzz with the girls.
‘‘I’m just really proud of what we’ve created as a group.’’
That support will follow them to Auckland tonight.
Frew ordered 40 tickets for her family — ‘‘more of my friends and family are coming to this game than my last’’ — while players Khanye-Lii’ Munro-Nonoa, Serina Daunakamakama and Carys Stythe hail from Auckland and their families will be backing the Steel.
‘‘I know our fans will bring it. They’ll be loud,’’ Frew said.
‘‘I just can’t wait to get into that stadium and let the girls get a real feeling of what this final is about. When they see their loved ones ... in the crowd, I know it’ll be extra special for them on the big stage.’’
But the Mystics will not be easy.
They qualified top of the table, earning hosting rights to the final and had the week off.
Frew said they acknowledged the Mystics were a classy side, who had plenty of experience across the court. They won the title in 2021, back-to-back 2023-24 and were runners-up last year.
The Steel beat the Mystics 57-46 on April 26, but lost 61-53 in extra-time on May 31.
But that does not scare Frew.
‘‘I genuinely have every belief that we can go win this game.
‘‘We definitely need to climb up and take that extra step from the elimination final.
‘‘As a group of players we’ve got a lot of belief.
‘‘We’re going to have to come out with courage on the big stage. I believe in this bunch and I know there’s a lot of will to get the win.’’
