Southern Steel captain Georgia Heffernan in action during their elimination final against the Mainland Tactix in Invercargill this afternoon. Photo: Michael Bradley Photography

The Southern Steel are through to the ANZ Premiership final after beating the Mainland Tactix 60-54 this afternoon.

It was a brilliant performance from the Steel in front of 4000 fans at a sold out Stadium Southland to book their first final since 2018.

They will meet the Northern Mystics in Auckland on Saturday.

It is a gutting end for the Tactix, who are denied the chance for back-to-back titles and had an impressive season.

But the Steel were slick across the court in a well-deserved victory.

The Steel came out on fire and led 17-11 at the first break. Captain Georgia Heffernan nailed a two-pointer at the end to give the Steel a healthy lead.

But that second quarter was a masterclass.

They put their foot down and at one point held a 10-point lead until the Tactix responded through the latter part of the quarter.

Still, the Steel held a 32-24 lead at halftime.

The Tactix had a much better third quarter but the Steel still led 48-40 at the break.

More in tomorrow’s Otago Daily Times.