Southern Steel fans came out in droves to support their side in Auckland. PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY Georgia Heffernan has been on a rollercoaster with the Southern Steel. The goal attack is the one of the only remaining players — alongside Renee Savai’inaea — who stuck with the franchise after their 21-game losing streak three years ago. She played through all of those games, so while she was gutted to lose the ANZ Premiership final on Saturday, you can understand her finding the positives in their growth through tough times. ‘‘Obviously gutted with the result . . . but the growth over the last few years had been so huge,’’ Heffernan said after the final. ‘‘We have actually a really young team and I think the way that those girls stepped up over the season . . . it’s so cool. ‘‘Me and Renee sort of talked about it. We’ve come a long way and . . . we’ve grown since those couple years where we couldn’t get a win on the board to being a really dominant team and making the Mystics, who are so strong, really fight for that win. ‘‘We’re gutted, but there’s so much to be proud of.’’ Heffernan, who stepped up as captain with Kimiora Poi sidelined, felt their connection played a massive part in the Steel’s turnaround, working hard to bring out the best in each other. Things were tough in the final against a slick Mystics side, whose starting seven had all been in a final before compared to the Steel, who had two players with finals experience. It was tough in the physical circle for the goal attack, who said they allowed the Mystics defence to dictate them too much. ‘‘When we let the ball go, when we played the way we want to, there were moments that we showed the way that we can play. ‘‘Lots to be proud of, but it is a bit disappointing that we couldn’t put that 60-minute performance out.’’ The mounting pressure from the Mystics forced the Steel to be hesitant on attack and they struggled to let their ball go to play their style. ‘‘We lost a little bit of trust. Those were the moments that we needed to come together and really trust each other, trust the work that we’ve done over the season. ‘‘I think in those moments we lost a little bit of that and hesitation kills on the netball court and that showed. ‘‘We didn’t probably play the way we wanted to but honestly, so proud. There was a moment where it could have blew out and we came back.’’ Poi travelled to Auckland and spent most of the game on her feet willing her team on from the bench. She was proud of the squad for making the final through adversity but was gutted they could not lift the trophy to reward their hard work. Wing attack Serina Daunakamakama stepped up in Poi’s absence and came into her own this season. ‘‘I’ve been idolising her the last probably five weeks,’’ Poi said. ‘‘She’s just really picked it up this back half of the season. She’s pretty unstoppable and just her clear vision and for someone who’s so small, that doesn’t stop her.’’ Poi praised coach Wendy Frew and assistant Jess Whitfort for their people-first approach guiding the Steel to the final. ‘‘They’ve just done so much for us this year, so we’re really grateful for them.’’
