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The Netties: The penultimate push
Sport Nation • July 8th, 2025 2:49 pm
Mystics' Filda Vui nailed two clutch super-shots to win the game | Photo: Photosport
Every week Mark Stafford and Sulu Fitzpatrick will pick three standout players, awarding them 3, 2, and 1 points - the player with the most points at the end of the season will be crowned the inaugural Nettie.
Welcome to The Netties.
Just like that, Round 9 is in the bag. The Mystics cemented their spot in the Finals Series, the Tactix kept their unbeaten home record alive, and the Pulse continued their journey up the ladder, hoping to make it to the big dance.
We are one Round away from deciding the inaugural Nettie! Let's get into the points.
ANZ Premiership Round 9
Saturday: Pulse 65-44 Stars at TSB Arena, Wellingon
It was a bruising contest in Wellington with both teams battling for every possession. The Pulse were without Whitney Souness due to concussion, and both Fa’amu Ioane and Tiana Metuarau were sidelined with illness.
In a scary second-quarter moment, Parris Mason was stretchered off after a heavy fall involving Crystal Maro. Amelia Walmsley stepped up with 94 percent shooting and contributed defensively while covering goal attack.
Former Stars shooter Amorangi Malesala found herself without a full contract to start the season. Through injury, she has found herself out on court with the Pulse. A move that has paid off for both Malesala and the Central based side. Nailing huge two-pointers and celebrating in style, both Staf and Sulu have awarded well earned points.
The fourth quarter was all Pulse who stormed home 22 to 7 with only one turnover to the Stars’ five, a moment Staf could only describe as a "complete implosion".
Staffy: Maddy Gordon (3), Kelly Jackson (2), Amorangi Malesala (1).
Sulu: Amorangi Malesala (3), Maddy Gordon (2), Kelly Jackson (1).
Sunday: Mystics 56-52 Steel at The Trust Arena, Auckland
In a thrilling North v South showdown, the Mystics booked their spot in the Finals Series.
Donnell Wallam was tightly marked by former Mystic Carys Stythe but stayed composed, while Filda Vui iced the game with clutch two-point shooting.
Staffy loved Holly Rae’s defensive pressure saying she was hustling and bustling and forced a heap of errors. Sulu praised Wallam for her strength and mobility in tough conditions. On the other side Aliyah Dunn was excellent for the Steel, keeping last week's 'Netties' leader Catherine Hall quiet and picking up points from both judges.
Staffy: Holly Rae (3), Aliyah Dunn (2), Filda Vui (1).
Sulu: Donnell Wallam (3), Aliyah Dunn (2), Filda Vui (1).
Monday: Tactix 68-57 Magic at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Tactix protected their unbeaten home record with a dominant second quarter that broke the game open. After an even first term they surged ahead 22 to 12 in the second and never looked back. The Magic rallied in the third but the gap was too much to close.
Jane Watson earned plaudits from both judges for her leadership in the defensive end. Sulu pointed to her ability to stand up and use her space. The Magic’s attack end also impressed with Ameliaranne Ekenasio scoring six two-point shots and Claire O’Brien earning recognition for her feeding quality.
Staffy: Erikana Pederson (3), Ameliaranne Ekenasio (2), Jane Watson (1).
Sulu: Jane Watson (3), Claire O’Brien, Erikana Pederson (1).
The Netties 2025 Leaderboard
1= Catherine Hall (23) & Aliyah Dunn (23)
3. Carys Stythe (20)
4. Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (17)
5. Jane Watson (15)
6. Maddy Gordon (14)
7. Saviour Tui (12)
8. Georgia Heffernan (12)
9. Kelly Jackson (12)
10. Peta Toeava (11)
Tune into Centre Pass: In Focus every Tuesday from 2-3pm on Sport Nation.
