The Southern Steel were deflated after being pumped by 13 points in their opening game of the ANZ Premiership.
Whatever was said in the changing room post game and the following week worked, with the Steel winning three in a row to sit third on the table.
‘‘Obviously game one we were pretty disappointed with how we came out and performed,’’ Steel captain Kimiora Poi said.
‘‘To be able to turn it around and go three on the trot has been pretty pleasing.
‘‘We’ve been putting in the work at training and for it to translate into the game, that’s been the most pleasing thing.’’
After their opening loss to the Mainland Tactix, Poi said they had some ‘‘pretty honest conversations’’ and looked at themselves as individuals to improve.
‘‘It’s also been having that intentional mindset and training to really practise what we want to put out in games and then to just really put it out in games.
‘‘It’s kind of shown in the last few weeks.’’
That is for sure.
The Steel thumped the Northern Stars by nine points, the Northern Mystics by 11 and the Central Pulse by seven.
What has been most pleasing from those victories has been the Steel’s ability to put their foot down when they lead and extend by as much as 13 points in some games.
‘‘What we’ve kind of... mentioned over the last few weeks is that it’s going to be a tough grind to start the game and expect teams to be hard, but just to have the mindset to stay in it.
‘‘The last few games we’ve kind of pushed on in the second and third quarter and been able to build a lead so that when teams have come back to us, we’ve had a decent enough lead to keep us in the game.
‘‘Every game is different and we’ve got to expect teams to come out hard all the time.’’
There have been slight lulls where the Steel have allowed teams to close gaps, which Poi said they recognised.
‘‘It’s just having that mindset of staying in it ... and not getting too far ahead and just competing in the moment.’’
Poi has been in strong form, owning the centre bib for the Steel.
She sits fifth in the league for feeds (118) and is tied eighth for intercepts (five) with team-mate Carys Stythe, who is also second for deflections (23).
Wing attack Serina Daunakamakama has also kept the attack line humming and is fourth for feeds (129) and centre pass receives, while goal attack Georgia Heffernan is third for centre pass receives with 82.
Daunakamakama and defender Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa, who played together at the Netball Youth World Cup last year, have taken a step up this year.
‘‘They’ve really impressed me this year,’’ Poi said.
‘‘They’re just showing a little bit more maturity in their play and just being able to consistently hold performances longer in the games. They’ve really shown what their true X-factor is.’’
The Steel meet the winless Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic this afternoon.
They beat the Magic in both games last year — but Poi said they are not taking them lightly.
‘‘We’re expecting them to come out hard and they’re probably getting more on the desperate side for a win.
‘‘They haven’t won a game yet and that’s sometimes a dangerous position for us to be in.
‘‘We’re treating it just like another game.’’
Shooter Aliyah Dunn injured her calf during their clash against the Pulse. The Steel were yesterday ‘‘still assessing her availability’’ and would provide an update when they had new information.
• Stars midcourter Greer Sinclair has been ruled out for 2026.
Sinclair tore her ACL in last year’s opener and after re-aggravating it needed minor surgey to resolve persistent swelling. She is aiming to return in 2027.
Training partner Abbie Leger has been elevated to the squad.
ANZ Premiership
Invercargill, 7pm
Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Josie Bingham, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Ashleigh Poi, Renee Savai’inaea, Carys Stythe, Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa, Jess Milne.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic: Saviour Tui, Kate Taylor, Sarah Guiney, Ali Wilshier, Ariana Cable-Dixon, Georgie Edgecombe, Brooklyn Murray, Oceane Maihi, Losa Fifita, Erena Mikaere.
