Its 73-64 loss to the Pulse at the Stadium Southland last night was arguably one of its worst performances this year. It was certainly the most goals the franchise has conceded in its six year history, the previous mark being 68.
Coach Janine Southby gave a blunt assessment of her side's effort.
''It was pretty poor,'' she said.
''The first quarter was flat and we just made too many mistakes and weren't getting enough turnover ball to keep ourselves in the game.
''That was it really. They played no-mistake netball, very safe and secure. I'm very frustrated.''
The Steel returned from Perth in the week and that long trip perhaps zapped the team of some of its energy. However, Southby said that could not be used as an excuse.
''They just couldn't get it together. All season they've worked really hard and have had good connections. Not tonight.''
Despite the disappointing finish, Southby was pleased with how the season went. The team met its goal of finishing in the top six and has some good building blocks.
The Steel had several early opportunities to seize the initiative, but it was the visitor which stole the first break when Jhaniele Fowler fumbled a good pass.
A stray centre pass from the home side and some other clumsy moments saw the lead balloon to seven goals. The Steel looked flat and the capacity crowd of 2100 responded in silence.
Southby made changes, with Courtney Tairi replacing Shannon Francois at wing attack and Storm Purvis replacing Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick at goal keep.
Once those changes had bedded in the Steel lifted its defensive effort. With about five minutes remaining in the half it formed a wall which the Pulse could not find a way around.
After what seemed like an age the turnover finally came when hardworking centre Phillipa Finch swooped on some loose ball.
The deficit remained seven goals, but the Steel went into the break with some momentum at least. The Pulse, though, had put up 12 more shots in the half and deserved every bit of its lead.
The Steel's defensive effort was undermined with some ill-discipline in the third period. Purvis amassed penalties at an alarming rate and the Pulse made the most of its free shots, stretching its lead to 11 goals with 15 minutes remaining.
The game had slipped away.
Tone-Fitzpatrick came back on and the Steel enjoyed its best quarter, outscoring the Pulse 20-18.
Fowler added another 60 goals to her record season tally. To scored 666 goals in 13 games really was an extraordinary effort. Hope she is not superstitious, though - ominous number to end on.
Wendy Frew also had a solid game and Tairi made a difference when she came on.
Pulse shooter Donna Wilkins was named player of the match for her 28 goals from 31 attempts. Fellow shooter Caitlin Thwaites also had a fine night with 45 from 51.
In other matches, the top-of-the-table Adelaide Thunderbirds beat the Queensland Firebirds 54-52. The Melbourne Vixens (second) thrashed the West Coast Fever 69-39 to leapfrog the Firebirds (third) on the standings.
The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic will need to beat the Mystics by 33 goals to slip into second place and avoid playing in the sudden death semifinal.
ANZ Championships
The scores
Pulse 73
Caitlin Thwaites 45 from 51, Donna Wilkins 28/31
Steel 64
Jhaniele Fowler 60/61, Jodi Brown 4/5
Quarter scores: 1st 17-10, 2nd 34-27, 3rd 55-44.
