The Mystics, who were runners-up to the Mainland Tactix last year, held the lead from mid-way through the opening quarter and never relented. They become the most successful franchise in the ANZ Premiership, having won the title in 2021 and going back-to-back in 2023-24. There were pockets of rowdy Steel fans scattered throughout the stadium, decked out in old Steel dresses, pink cowboy hats, superhero capes, wigs and signs to will their team on away from home. The classic “steal it’’ chant started from almost
the opening whistle and they threw their all behind their team from the stands. While it is not the result the Steel wanted, there is still so much to be proud of from the 2026 season. They returned to their first final in eight years – since winning back-to-back titles in 2017-18 – and it is a huge improvement for the franchise, who lost 21 straight games and were winless in 2023. The Steel had a dream start and went up by three-points before the
Mystics clicked. Filda Vui was given too much room, finding easy entry to the circle and fired a nice ball into the back space to find Maia Wilson. Karaka rejected Dunn’s shot from behind, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson picked up the crumbs and the Mystics levelled 6-6. The Mystics goal keep snatched another ball falling out of court to give the Mystics the lead. They went on a four goal unanswered run pouncing on the Steel’s silly errors. But the Steel finished the quarter with a flurry.
Carys Stythe picked off a cross-court ball and Georgia Heffernan flung it to Dunn for the Steel to trail 15-11 at the break. The Mystics defensive pressure was immense in the circle. Sokolich-Beatson tagged Heffernan’s every move forcing the Steel’s goal attack to work over time. Jessie Laga’aia was injected at centre for the Steel as they trailed by six for much of the quarter. The Mystics were slick on attack and tenacious in defence, desperate to re-write last year’s final result. The Steel were
hesitant to let the ball go to their shooters and were forced to re-set on attack. They fought hard through the back-end of the quarter. Laga’aia let the ball go to Heffernan and Dunn finished another to cut the lead to two. But they let that momentum slide and the Mystics fired to lead 29-23 at halftime. Laga’aia put a great long feed into Heffernan to start the second half as the Steel tried to eat into the deficit. The Mystics were clinical with the
ball. Peta Toeava used her speed and flair to cut the top, Vui hung out wide and dropped in when needed and Wilson held her ground. Jess Milne came on at goal defence for the Steel, as they tried to shut down Vui’s dominance. Stythe snatched a back-and-up intercept and the Steel cut the lead to three. The Steel started to find more rhythm on attack, using their width and depth to swing the ball. But the Mystics used all their experience to withstand the
Steel and pulled back ahead. Katie Te Ao came screaming across court to steal the ball – Mystics coach Tia Winikerei leapt in the air on the bench – and the Mystics extended 44-36. Dunn nailed a two-pointer to finish the quarter, but the Steel trailed 44-38. More in Monday’s Otago Daily Times
Steel, Mystics, ANZ Premiership, 2026 season, premiership final, Filda Vui, Maia Wilson, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Georgia Heffernan, Dunn, Tia Winikerei