It will be the Mainland Tactix after they came from behind to beat the Central Pulse 57-52 in the elimination final in Christchurch last night.
They will now meet the Mystics in Auckland for the final on Sunday, a repeat of the 2021 edition in which the Mystics beat the Tactix 61-59.
Captain Erikana Pederson celebrated her 100th game in the red dress — 130th game overall – in style, claiming a mammoth 50 feeds.
It was the cliched game of two halves, the Pulse winning the first, and the Tactix the second, allowing the Tactic to remain undefeated at home this season.
The Pulse had better ball speed down the court, which allowed Tiana Metuarau to open up and find Amelia Walmsley.
The Tactix struggled bringing the ball through transition with only one option to the ball.
It allowed the Pulse to hold a 14-10 lead at the first-quarter break.
Jane Watson came out for a fly, but it left Walmsley alone and her feeders made no mistake in finding their shooter.
Then defender Kelly Jackson came out on the angle, snaffled a cross-court ball and the Pulse forged ahead to a six-point lead.
The Tactix started to eat into the score later in the quarter and Te Paea Selby-Rickit, playing her 180th game, nailed a two-pointer on the buzzer for the Tactix to trail 30-26 at halftime.
Having Maddy Gordon and Whitney Souness switch in the midcourt, the latter shifting to centre, has been a master stroke for the Pulse.
It allowed Gordon to use her explosive speed and front cut the circle edge, while opening up the space for Souness.
Then the Tactix turned it around.
They converted more of their turnovers and the Pulse’s circle defenders’ penalty count began to mount.
The home side had all the momentum, and their through-court defence stepped up as they levelled the score.
They won the quarter 15-10 and took a 41-40 lead at the break.
That lead extended to six within the opening minutes and things really started to click when Burger picked off a brilliant ball.
Defensively the Tactix worked as a unit with nearly every player picking up ball.
Amorangi Malesala nailed some late two-pointers for the Pulse.
ANZ Premiership
The scores
Mainland Tactix 57
Ellie Bird 47 (47/55), Te Paea Selby-Rickit 10 (9/14)
Central Pulse 52
Amelia Walmsley 44 (42/43), Tiana Metuarau 3 (3/3), Amorangi Malesala 5 (3/4)
Quarter scores: Central Pulse 14-10, 30-26, 40-41.
