Match Report Steel v Mystics – Grand Final
June 28, 2026
Second place hurts. There’s no denying that.
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel suffered a 56-46 defeat to the GoSweetSpot Mystics in the ANZ Premiership Grand Final on Saturday night.
Although relegated to the role of chaser from go to woah, the Steel delivered phases of excellence and never accepted defeat until the final whistle blew. Ultimately, the Mystics smothering defensive prowess and relentless pressure was difficult to combat.
Regardless, it would be unfair to let this result define the season. 2026 has been momentous for the southern franchise, notching up its first grand final appearance since 2018 and collecting an array of impressive wins on the road to the league’s coveted main event.
It speaks volumes about the role head coach Wendy Frew has played in the revival during her two years at the helm and you could argue no-one felt this loss as acutely as the Southland netball legend herself.
“We need to be proud of what we’ve achieved this year … but yeah, it definitely hurts,” she said.
“I’m really gutted for the Otago/Southland community and all of our families that we couldn’t get it over the line. We were beaten by a better team and they fully deserved the win so we just need to swallow our pride and move on.
“The Mystics played extremely well. They outplayed us and we didn’t deserve the win sadly.”
The Steel failed to unleash its full potential.
“We’re just extremely disappointed. It’s hard to get to that game and not fire. We had phases where we were clinical and playing some good netball, but we weren’t good enough on the day,” Frew said.
“We prepped really well, the trainings were good and we thought the game plan was the right one to combat them but, unfortunately, we just didn’t bring it.
“It wasn’t our night. It hurts, really bad, but we just need to lean on each other now and somehow get over this loss and make sure we celebrate the successful season we’ve had.
“These players will be better players for that experience and there will be better and brighter things for them.”
She paid tribute to the Steel’s legion of dedicated fans.
“A big shout out to the Southland and Otago community. They have been loyal all season and fronted up at every game. There’s no better feeling for us than playing in front of a sellout home crowd and just the whole vibe around the provinces has been awesome and we’re incredibly proud of what we created this season.”
In a contest befitting the season’s two best performers, the Steel stayed within striking distance for the majority, refusing to let the home side break the game open. Making their first Grand Final appearance in eight years, the southern side showed plenty of fight but couldn’t find the sustained momentum needed to overcome a composed Mystics outfit.
There’s no denying the Mystics did their homework and executed a successful game plan which forced the southerners to deviate from their own style, disrupting their traditional clinical approach.
It was a torrid encounter throughout as players threw everything at it physically. Pressure led to turnovers and miscommunication at times, and you bet the opposition was there to pounce at every opportunity.
Steel’s shooting duo Aliyah Dunn and Georgia Heffernan faced an ominous threat from crafty Mystics defenders Phoenix Karaka and captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson who were ruthless and notably helped swing momentum back in favour of the hosts.
The Mystics took a 15-11 lead into the first break and continued to build their advantage to 29-23 at halftime, with shooter Filda Vui delivering a perfect first-half performance before Maia Wilson took over the scoring load in the second half.
The Steel’s defensive efforts through Carys Stythe and their attacking threat from Dunn and Heffernan kept them in the contest, but they were unable to consistently close the gap as hard-won gains too often went unrealised on the scoreboard.
The third quarter was a gallant one from the Steel, venturing back within three goals. But the momentum was quelled yet again as the Mystics responded with the composure of a side used to big occasions. If luck does play a role, it certainly deserted the Steel at crucial moments.
Leading 44-38 heading into the final quarter, the Mystics held firm and pulled away when it mattered most.
