Call it what you like but it is clear Wendy Frew knew what she was doing.
With 19 seconds left in the game, the Southern Steel coach called a timeout as the Mainland Tactix looked to reduce their two-point deficit.
Frew told her players to be smart and go for everything defensively — and they did.
Amorangi Malesala missed a two-pointer, Steel defenders Carys Stythe and Khayne’-Lii Munro-Nonoa started celebrating early and Frew raced down her bench high-fiving her players as the Steel sealed a 56-54 victory.
It gives the Steel’s hosting rights for the elimination final — also against the Tactix, who are now on a three-game losing streak — in Invercargill this Sunday, their first playoffs since 2021.
The final will be held in Auckland next week after the Northern Mystics beat the Waikato-Bay of Plenty 53-42 on Saturday.
Things were physical in the Steel shooting circle as Aliyah Dunn and Georgia Heffernan fought for their space against Ash Barnett and Laura Balmer.
The Steel sat in a box defensively, pushing the Tactix wide and slowing down their flow through their attacking flair.
But the Tactix were patient thanks to the experience of former Steel player Gina Crampton — who has stayed with the Tactix while captain Erikana Pedersen is injured — in waiting for things to open.
Her connection to Charlie Bell, who shot 45 from 45, continued to grow.
Renee Savai’inaea brought the ball down the court, helping alleviate the pressure on her attackers and found Dunn quickly.
The Tactix had a mini-run to lead 11-7, but Carys Stythe went for a fly on the angle to snatch the ball and the Steel levelled 11-11.
Dunn scored on the buzzer for the Steel to lead 15-14.
The Steel shooter was wrapped up in a battle again with Barnett and Balmer.
Savai’inaea pounced on the Tactix centre pass, picking up more ball in her best game of the season.
Serina Daunakamakama had a strong take in the pocket as Heffernan drove perfectly to take the landing space under the post.
The Tactix defenders kept the Steel high and off the circle edge, but Jessie Laga’aia and Daunakamakama drew their defenders wide and Heffernan found Dunn home alone.
Heffernan flicked it in off the post for an easy goal and added another for the Steel to lead 29-28 at halftime.
It was a frantic start to the second half. There were intercepts and turnovers everywhere, but the Steel were the first to score after Stythe came around and snaffled the ball.
Daunakamakama let the ball go from the centre third to Dunn.
Holly Mather picked up a much-needed ball on the circle edge for the Tactix, but the Steel forced another turnover.
The Tactix coughed up ball and struggled to find the same entries in their attacking end.
But they came right towards the end of the quarter and removed the three-point lead the Steel held.
Balmer snatched a great intercept and the Tactix held a 41-39 lead at the break.
Savai’inaea’s outside arm snatched yet another tip as she helped the Steel comeback at 42-42.
But Balmer hung outside and picked up another intercept and the Tactix restored a three-point lead.
The Steel came back to level 50-50 and held their nerve to bring the game home.
The Northern Stars rounded out their season beating the Central Pulse 59-49.
ANZ Premiership
The scores
Southern Steel 56
Aliyah Dunn 37 (37/39), Georgia Heffernan 19 (19/21)
Mainland Tactix 54
Charlie Bell 46 (45/45), Amorangi Malesala 9 (9/12)
Quarter scores: Steel 15-14, 29-28, 39-41.
