Match Report Steel v Tactix – Elimination Final
June 22, 2026
“We’re off to the big dance.”
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel head coach Wendy Frew uttered the words everyone wanted to hear after her heroic team advanced to the ANZ Premiership Grand Final with a 60-54 victory over the VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix.
Sunday’s Elimination Final was always going to be an absolute doozy. Less predictable was the dominance of the southerners who seemingly possessed the midas touch.
“Tonight was a do-or-die and we talked about that. I thought the girls really played their hearts out. All I asked was for them to come off the court after 60 minutes with no regrets and I think we did that. I’m extremely proud to be leading these girls,” Frew said.
“It’s pretty exciting. We’ve worked hard for this. It was our goal at the start of the season and we ticked off the top three and now we’re off to the big dance. There’s so much excitement but also a big week ahead of hard work.
“For me, it’s a huge honour to get the franchise to the finals and I’m just excited about what this group can produce.”
Snatching the lead halfway through the opening spell, the Steel never relinquished it, finally delivering the quality performance they have been striving for all season. Even better news is the fact it wasn’t perfect so there’s more to achieve in the final hunt for the silverware.
With every player deserving of kudos, it feels a tad unfair to shine the light on individuals – yet that would be an equal injustice.
Steel defender Carys Stythe left no question as to why she got the nod for the Silver Ferns team headed to next month’s Commonwealth Games – her thirst for possession palpable from the outset and her timing sublime as she racked up a staggering 12 gains.
The bravery award goes to the unflappable Aliyah Dunn in the face of some rugged physical pressure from the Tactix defensive duo, while goal attack Georgia Heffernan was instrumental in the Steel’s attacking prowess.
The 4000-strong sold out crowd understood their assignment, raising the decibels at ILT Stadium Southland in impressive fashion.
“What a feeling when the girls were walking in. I reckon that’s the best crowd I’ve ever experienced, even as a player,” Frew said.
“They were outstanding, they brought the energy and the hype all week has been wicked. I’m sure that will go up a notch again now. It’s just such a cool feeling.”
On the same court with the same teams and same full-house crowd in attendance, the Steel produced the same outcome for the second time in seven days. This time, however, the home side produced a compelling outing to leave the result in no doubt after pipping the Tactix by two goals in the final clash of the regular season last week.
Anchored by big-game players in shooter Dunn and defender Stythe at either end of the court, and filled by like-minded contributors in between, the Steel put their stamp on the match with a blockbuster 17-11 first quarter. And from there, didn’t let the Tactix back in.
After rebuilding their team in the off-season, the gallant defending champion Tactix fought back strongly through the following three-quarters after doing a remarkable job to make their way to the Finals Series but came up against a well-drilled and experienced Steel team to end their run.
With the match getting away to a tight, tense and frenetic start, it was the Steel who settled best through their non-stop defensive pressure and accuracy on attack and under the hoop. With the teams all square heading into the final five minutes, the home side broke the shackles with a forceful finish.
The back three of Stythe, Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa and Renee Savai’inaea created all sorts of problems for the Tactix attackers while the well-versed shooting duo of Dunn and Georgia Heffernan made the most of their extra opportunities, including a super shot, pushed the home side out to a handy 17-11 lead at the first break.
With the Steel slotting the first three goals on the resumption, things didn’t get much better for the Tactix as the home side threatened to take the game out of reach. Continuing her impressive season, Stythe was in the thick of action with four intercepts and four deflections for the half.
In tandem with her sidekick Munro-Nonoa, the defensive duo inflicted hesitancy among the Tactix feeders while key strike weapon Charlie Bell was well-contained under the hoop. Forced to shoot from wide out added some extra wobbly moments for the visitors.
On the flip side, the Steel mixed their attacking momentum expertly, switching from sweeping free-flowing play with patience when required. With Ash Barnett and Laura Balmer swapping in-circle defensive bibs, the Tactix finished the second quarter strongly to add a glimmer of hope but still facing a significant deficit when trailing 32-24 heading into halftime.
Reducing the deficit to just five goals after a 5-2 start to the third stanza, the Tactix showed improved consistency while getting more ball into the hands of towering shooter Bell to stay in the contest.
But the visitors were unable to push on, the Steel bouncing back to retain their grip on proceedings. Rising young wing attack Serina Daunakamakama proved a key contributor for the home side, measured and unruffled while producing precision ball into Dunn and Heffernan who were clinical under the hoop.
With a drawn quarter at 16-apiece, it was not enough for the Tacix to make serious inroads while still staring down an eight-goal deficit when the Steel went to the last turn with a 48-40 lead.
In the dying stages of the game, the Tactix slotted two consecutive two-point supershots to haul the margin back within six and mitigate the damage.
“We knew they were going to come back – they are a classy side with classy coaches. We knew we couldn’t take the foot of the throttle. If anything, we were probably played a little bit cautious at times but we got the win so happy days,” Frew said.
“There is so much work that goes into the defensive unit … it’s not always the person that gets the ball. It’s a really big team effort on d and I think today we really gelled as a defensive unit and we set a lot of ball up and put a lot of pressure on the Tactix.”
Advancing to their first Grand Final in eight years, the Steel will meet Minor Premiers GoSweetSpot Mystics in the season-decider in Auckland on Saturday night.
“Mystics are going to be tough, no doubt about it. They are a quality side. They would have been sitting there watching this and how we played the game,” Frew said.
“Nothing beats playing that pressure netball … I’ve got the confidence in the girls that we can go up there and get it done. We’re going to have to perform well and that starts with prepping well and putting everything into the game ahead.
“I’ve always been directed (in grand finals) – I’ve only been the captain, I haven’t been the coach. So, I’ve got to make sure I set the tone this week as to how we want to come out and obviously get excited but not too excited and not too much pressure.
“It’s a do-or die. We’re playing for the premiership but we have to keep level heads and make sure we stay humble. We have to put the work in this week so we can combat a Mystics side that’s pretty classy.”
