Steel defender ready to reach new heights
June 6, 2025
There’s a tall order looming for Abby Lawson on Saturday but you can bet the plucky defender is eager to tackle the challenge.
Now in must-win territory to keep its ANZ Premiership playoff hopes intact, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel take on the table-topping VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix at ILT Stadium Southland.
The round five match will determine who claims the Hutton Family Trophy, which honours the memory of the late Kelly Hutton, a stalwart of Canterbury netball, and her sister Megan, herself a defensive powerhouse for the Steel and its predecessor, Southern Sting.
Combating the lofty heights of the Tactix shooting trio will be no easy feat but Lawson thrives on a contest.
“I love playing the Tactix and I can’t wait to meet them on our home turf this time because it’s always a great battle when we play them at our Invercargill fortress,” she said.
“Last time we met it was our first outing and we were competitive and I feel like we’ve grown a lot since that game.
“I think it’s going to be a great tussle. They’ve picked up their form and are accelerating forward so beating them now at this point in the competition would be a good testament to see where we are at.”
The visitor’s arsenal includes lofty shooters Ellie Bird at 1.92m, Martina Salmon at 1.90m and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at 1.88m.
What Lawson lacks in height at a 1.81m, she makes up for in dogged tenacity.
“I’m really hungry for the win. We’ve really got to apply the pressure early, keep it on throughout the game and try and get that ball before it reaches the circle,” she said.
“We need to be aware of their rangy box defence and how we can play through it and get the ball moving to get them chasing.”
There’s been little time to lick the wounds inflicted by the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse just five days ago but Lawson was determined to “turn hurt into hustle”.
“Our spirits were a wee bit low initially but we’ve trained hard this week and I feel like we’ve got an opportunity to redeem ourselves after last weekend so we’re going to come out firing,” she said.
The loss was an uncharacteristic performance from a Steel team which has impressed in the opening stages of the competition.
“It was out of the ordinary and definitely no-one wants to put a performance like that out. You just can’t afford to have a bad game in such a short season like this one – you have to show up each week,” Lawson said.
“We felt great going into that game, but after a period of not scoring and getting a bit behind, it came down to how we dealt with that scenario.
“When things get tight or we disconnect a wee bit during the game, how do we gather ourselves back together faster and then still see everything in front of us to play the game plan that we know, that we believe in, and that we trust is good.
“We can still take positives out of that game. The third quarter was unreal and we showed the heart of this team. The margin we brought it back to was great but it’s a case of starting like that and keeping that momentum for the full 60 minutes.”
It’s being dubbed Super Saturday with a trifecta of South Island netball showdowns on offer. Leading up to the main event, the Southern Blast will take on Mainland at 12pm in the Synergy Hair National Netball League, followed by the Invercargill Men against the Canterbury Men at 2pm.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this one sells out as well because everyone loves a South Island derby,” Lawson said.
“Our fans love seeing the live action and they are there backing us 100 percent. It’s such a surreal feeling when you finally get to play at home and just having that noise and the energy that radiates from the crowd. It’s something I wish everyone could experience being in the Steel team, because I know being on the opposition side it’s certainly not the same feeling as when you’re in the home team getting the good vibes.”
Tickets to Saturday’s event are on sale from ILT Stadium Southland or online at www.southernsteel.co.nz.
As it’s charity partner for the game, the Steel is supporting the Southern Cancer Society of New Zealand and will have official collectors at the venue.
