Outhouse to the penthouse: Tactix’ rise complete with first ANZ Premiership title win

Sunday, 27 July 2025

At Trusts Arena, Auckland: Tactix 58 (Ellie Bird: 50/54, Te Paea Selby-Rickit: 8/11) Mystics 46 (Donnell Wallam: 38/43, Filda Vui: 5/10, Peta Toeava: 1/1) 1Q: 17-8, HT: 31-22, 3Q: 47-36.

The Mainland Tactix are netball bridesmaids no more.

After 28 years of hurt, the Tactix finally captured the first netball title for the Mainland region, completing a rags-to-riches rise.

Sparked by brilliant defensive outings from Jane Watson and Karin Burger, the Tactix upset the heavily favoured Northern Mystics 58-46 in Auckland on Sunday.

Tactix supporters will soak up this title triumph for some time after being denied in the 2020 and 2021 grand finals.

As the fulltime whistle sounded, the Tactix bench stormed onto the court before players leapt into each others’ arms. The tears flowed from midcourters Paris Lokotui and captain Erikana Pedersen as the magnitude of the achievement hit.

It has been a gruelling wait for Mainland fans, with the Tactix’ predecessors, the Canterbury Flames, also losing four finals in the former domestic league, which was set up in 1998.

The Tactix celebrate capturing their first ANZ Premiership title after beating the Mystics in the final.

The Mystics were looking to be the first ANZ Premiership team to achieve a three-peat, and win four titles, but were outclassed in every facet by the Tactix.

Tactix head coach Donna Wilkins put the exclamation point on a stunning first year in the job, outsmarting the Mystics with her attacking and defensive game plan.

The Tactix’ journey to an inaugural title has been a rocky ride, full of mostly crushing lows for the franchise, until now.

“Really, really proud. Obviously, really emotional. I know how hard we’ve worked not just this season, but over the last how many years… The region has really stuck behind us through the ups and downs. Really proud,” tearful Tactix captain Pedersen told Sky Sport.

Between 2010-17, they won 12 of 106 games for an 11% winning record. The Tactix have dealt with earthquakes, liquidation, and a raft of wooden spoons in the former trans-Tasman league.

Tactix goal shoot Ellie Bird was excellent in her final elite netball game for the Tactix in their title win.

The Mystics blew the Tactix off the same Trusts Arena court 14 days ago to clinch top spot and a home grand final.

It was a completely different story on Sunday with the Mystics never able to get into their rhythm on attack.

A perfect first quarter from the Tactix, where they raced out to a 17-8 advantage by the end of the opening 15 minutes, gave them a dream start.

The Tactix took a nine-goal advantage into halftime (31-22) and never let the Mystics back into the contest in the second half.

Tactix defender Jane Watson looks to get the ball in past the defence of Mystics’ shooter Donnell Wallam.

The Mystics, who had been the competition benchmark all season, were rattled and had no answer to the suffocating through-court defence from the Tactix.

The showdown between veteran Tactix goal keep Watson and Mystics’ Australian goal shoot Donnell Wallam shaped as the battle within the battle.

It was one-way traffic with Watson getting the better of Wallam and hounding her all game with her physical pressure.

Burger was terrific too, as she has been all season, forming a lethal partnership with Watson at the back.

Mystics’ goal shoot Donnell Wallam and Tactix defender Karin Burger contest possession in the ANZ Premiership grand final.

They caused chaos for the Mystics’ feeders, who battled to get the ball in easily.

On attack, the Tactix were composed and accurate, rattling off as many passes as necessary to get the ball in safely to the circle edge.

Ellie Bird, in her final game of elite netball, was outstanding, outplaying Mystics goal keep Catherine Hall, who had been so dominant all season.

Bird finished with 50 goals from 54 attempts (93%), putting together an emphatic showing on the biggest stage.

Pedersen and Holly Mather led the way for the Tactix in the midcourt, getting the ball carefully into their shooters without mistakes.

When Silver Ferns star Kimiora Poi left the Tactix for the Steel in the off-season plenty worried how the Tactix would fare in the midcourt.

Northland product Mather, in her first season as a contracted player, was a fantastic under the radar signing for the Tactix. She had another strong outing, looking unflustered in the pressure of a grand final.

The Tactix’ party will roll on for some time and for good reason after ending 28 years of futility.