Steel brace for tough final against Mystics
Monday, 22 June 2026
Steel coach Wendy Frew expects a tough game against The Mystics on Saturday but she’s confident her team can win.
The Southern Steel are through to their first ANZ Premiership Grand Final in almost 10 years following a 60-54 win in front of a sold-out crowd at ILT Stadium Southland on Sunday.
It will be their first major final since winning the title in 2018 under captain Wendy Frew, who now coaches the side.
A fast start laid the foundation for the Steel, who embraced the big occasion with 4000 fans cheering them on from the get-go.
Frew said it was a special performance against quality opposition.
“We’re extremely happy. Tonight was do-or-die, and the girls really played their hearts out, coming off the court with no regrets. I’m extremely proud to be leading these girls.”
She said being back in the grand final would take a few days to digest.
“It’s pretty exciting. I don’t think it’s quite set in yet. We’ve worked hard for this. There is just so much excitement but also a big week ahead of hard work.”
Since the Steel last won the title in 2018, there had been some tough times on the court, but under Frew’s guidance the side had really turned a corner.
“I’ve been thinking if we get to this stage I might go back to 2018 and bring some of those girls in who have experienced the pressure of finals netball. It’s a huge honour to get this side to the grand final and I'm just excited to see what this group of girls can produce.”
There had been some outstanding crowds over the years, but Frew reckoned that was “the best ever”.
“They brought the energy, and the hype all week has been wicked, so I am sure that will go up again now. It’s just a cool feeling how 10 girls and a management group can bring so much joy to a community. We’ve got to be proud of that.”
The Steel hit the court running and raced out to a 17-12 lead, producing what was their best opening quarter of the season. It was much the same in the second quarter as they carried on from where they left off and forced the Tactix into a series of errors.
At halftime the Steel led by eight goals and managed to extend that to 12 midway through the third quarter.
However, the Tactix refused to die wondering and reduced the deficit to five goals, before the Steel rallied late to keep an eight-goal advantage with one 15-minute period left.
Buoyed by their big crowd, the Steel managed to keep things tight and bag the six-goal victory.
Unsurprisingly, the Steel won three of the four quarters, with the third quarter shared.
“The Mystics are going to be tough. They are a quality side. I’ve got confidence in the girls that we can go up there and win.”
One person who would have been smiling from above was former Steel coach Robyn Broughton, who had been a huge influence in Frew’s netball career. Broughton died in 2023.
“Rob is a big fan of Donna [Wilkins] and Hoochie [Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit] too. She would have been happy for me but she would have loved Donz to win too. Proud that I have taken on the coaching role and I think about Rob lots … wish I could ring her up and ask her what to do in these situations and different scenarios.”
Georgia Heffernan said it was a surreal feeling playing in her first ANZ Premiership elimination final.
“It was awesome. The crowd was insane and I’m really proud of the performance we put out there.”
A real standout was centre Ashleigh Poi, who played her best game in the Steel colours, while the defensive partnership of Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa and Carys Stythe was sublime.
Aliyah Dunn and Heffernan also combined superbly, as they had all season with both shooting at more than 90% for the match.
Tickets were already on sale for Steel fans wanting to head to Auckland’s Trusts Arena and cheer on the team in their search for glory in Saturday night’s final.