The Central Pulse have shocked the favoured Northern Stars to claim the ANZ Netball Premiership title in Wellington with a stunning 56-37 win.
Kristiana Manu’a
Photo: Photosport
With the 19-goal win, the Pulse became the first franchise to win three titles in the history of the elite national league.
The Pulse led from start to finish, up by 26-15 at half-time. The scoreline then extended to 42-26 after three quarters.
One of many stand-outs for the home side was goal shooter Aliyah Dunn who scored 44 goals from 47 attempts, and must be pushing for Silver Ferns selection.
Players throughout the court wearing yellow were outstanding with defenders Kelly Jury and Kristiana Manu’a pressuring the Stars attack and sending incumbent Stars goal attack Jamie Hume to the bench, with Amorangi Malesala the second goal attack tried by Stars coach Kiri Wills.
The Pulse’s midcourt trio of Maddy Gordon, Erikana Pedersen and Whitney Souness securely carried the ball through court linking with goal attack Tiana Metuarau.
Credit must go to Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie in her fifth grand final, coming back to the team this season after their form slumped without her at the helm last year.
Confidence was at a high with the Stars heading into the grand final with eight wins from nine outings and the core senior members of the side found their form at the business end of the season, including spearhead Maia Wilsn and midcourter Gina Crampton. But the Aucklanders were well and truly outclassed by the Wellington side.
The Pulse won titles in 2019 and 2020
Both teams powered through a season fraught with constant disruption due to the influence of Covid-19.
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