Steel pumped for Grand Final showdown
June 25, 2026
Finally, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel can switch its focus to the ANZ Premiership Grand Final.
A strict mantra of ‘staying in the now’ has kept the team’s sight firmly set on only the next game all season long. So, it’s no wonder head coach Wendy Frew has a wry smile this week.
“We’ve put a real emphasis on step-by-step, game-by-game and not looking too far ahead and I think it has set us up really nicely,” she said.
“It’s a mentality we have had from the start. We set our initial goal to make the top three and, only once we had achieved that, we set the next goal to host Elimination Final, then the next to win that and make the final. It was just making sure we stayed grounded and didn’t get too far ahead of ourselves. It’s very cool to now be able to focus on the Grand Final.
“It is a bit surreal if I admit it. You don’t really think about these moments until you achieve it. Obviously, we put all our energy into the Tactix game on Sunday and to tick the box and get the win is a little bit overwhelming, but there’s just so much excitement and pride.
“There’s so much energy, sweat and tears which goes into this so it’s really nice to have that hard work rewarded by being able to head to the big dance.”
Frew gave kudos to the fans who turned out in force for the crucial Elimination Final against the VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix at ILT Stadium Southland.
“It was such a special win at home. I reckon the crowd was the best they have ever been. I played for about 16 years and had some unreal experiences here but it just felt next level,” she said.
“They were loyal, they were loud and they just enjoyed the game. It’s a really cool vibe here at the moment – everywhere you go in the community people have that love of netball back and it’s so special to be part of that journey.
“These girls have a lot of courage. I’m really confident we can do the job if we bring our A game and the girls are locked in and ready to go.”
The intensity of Sunday’s 60-54 win was ideal preparation.
“I think it’s a big advantage when you finish two or three and have that extra game, instead of being the top team and not having that intensity the week before,” Frew said.
“I’m sure the Mystics would have had a game and try to combat it but for us, being in that situation where we had two must-win games in a row to be able to host the elimination final and then win it, this is like our third final this weekend. That’s the mentality we’ve had and I think that has prepared us really nicely.”
The GoSweetSpot Mystics loomed as a formidable opponent for Saturday night’s title decider in Auckland.
“It will take a lot to beat the Mystics. They’re a classy side, they’re experienced and they’ve been here before. We just need to focus on what we can control, prep really well and be all aligned with our game plan,” Frew said.
“We need to make sure we have those ‘what ifs’ nailed. Different elements will be thrown at us for the final so we need to make sure we have good clarity about how we want to play the game and what we want to put out there.
“There’s going to be nerves but that’s natural and all part of it so we have to rise above that. We have to play our own game and not get too caught up in the moment. It’s crucial to find that balance. You want to be excited to play in the Grand Final but we still need to front up and play 60 minutes of really clinical netball. Mystics are really hard to get ball off so any little crumb we have the opportunity to get we need to pounce and score off it.”
Despite being in enemy territory, hordes of Steel supporters are expected to flock courtside.
“We’ve got a lot of family, friends and supporters coming up so, while it would have been cool to play at home, the flip side of that is we get to go away together, keep it real tight on the road and be united,” Frew said.
“It will mean so much if we can get this win. There’s a lot of families which sacrifice so much when you have a daughter or a wife playing or in the management team so it would mean a huge amount to everyone.
“I love a good fist pump and would very much like to be doing one of those about 8.30pm on Saturday night.”
Captain Kimiora Poi was excited.
“I just can’t wait for Saturday actually. I don’t know if anyone saw after the (Tactix) game but I actually had some happy tears. We came out and absolutely stepped it up another level. I’m just so proud of this team. Making the final is huge,” she said.
“The lead up we’ve had into this final has been important. We have the game plan, we have the people and we have full trust and belief that we can go all the way.
“It’s not going to be easy. Mystics are a really experienced team and have been in finals before. They lost the grand final last year which I guess adds another layer to it for them. For us, it’s focusing on what we can control, backing our game plan, our structures, and each other. We need to go out there with that confidence in ourselves that we can actually do it … we definitely can and I just can’t wait to be part of it.”
Sister Ashleigh Poi, bestowed the centre bib regularly since Kimiora was ruled out with a calf injury, expected small things to have a big impact.
“It’s just the one percenters. I know it’s quite cliché but just going for every loose ball and having each other’s back will get us over the line,” she said.
“It’s those little moments. They might not seem like much at the time but every loose ball, every deflection that our teammates get, just backing each other up – that’s where I really think the game will be won.
“Winning would mean everything to us. As a group we’ve worked really hard this season. It’s not even a reflection of just us as a group – in the years before us the Steel has continued to grind away and the community is always behind us with a lot of passion. So, while it would mean the world to us, it’s also for the wider community.”
