One could look at their vastly experienced squad – with the likes of Karin Burger, Jane Watson, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Ellie Bird – and think Wilkins potentially rode the coattails of a highly talented playing group looking to go out on a high. However, being forced to start almost from scratch, Wilkins has produced a physical, well-organised and dynamic team.
Mainland Tactix coach Donna Wilkins has made a perfect start to her ANZ Premiership tenure. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
While there are eight weeks to go in the regular season, these are early signs of Wilkins’ coaching prowess. While there’s no telling how long Dame Noeline Taurua will be in charge of the Silver Ferns, Wilkins presents as a potential successor when the position does become vacant.
Magic’s struggles symptomatic of NZ’s player depth
The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic’s shooting end – one of the youngest in the competition – is simply not working. A disappointing 57-37 trouncing at the hands of the Northern Mystics shows the clear disparity in experience between the sides. While there are bright patches for the Magic, they are potentially the victims of a shallow New Zealand talent pool.
Goal shoot Kate Taylor’s seven general-play turnovers and goal attack Saviour Tui’s six are illustrative of the Magic’s attacking struggles. Despite a strong start against the Mystics in Hamilton, the young pair were rattled by Catherine Hall and Phoenix Karaka, with Hall picking up another seven deflections. Again, the Magic shooters looked disconnected and failed to find space for their midcourters to consistently feed into. While they will definitely improve, a short competition limits their window of opportunity.
Magic shooters Saviour Tui (pictured) and Kate Taylor struggled against the Mystics. Photo / Michael Bradley
Despite this, the Magic were solid defensively. Goal defence Oceane Maihi picked up five intercepts and looks incredibly promising. The Mystics conceded 24 general-play turnovers to the Magic’s 26, so the hosts had more than enough ball to be competitive.
At this stage, it looks like the Magic do not have the personnel to challenge for the ANZ Premiership title. This is likely representative of New Zealand’s struggle for depth after the exit of numerous key players to Australia, with the Magic not having recruited as strongly as other Kiwi teams in the off-season.
ANZ Premiership remains highly competitive – and entertaining
The Magic aside, the results from the opening two rounds indicate a tight battle for playoff position. The Tactix are the only unbeaten team, with the Stars unable to back up their hot start when they faced the Southern Steel in Invercargill.
A 21-7 meltdown in the second quarter proved the difference in what was otherwise a very even contest. Stars shooters Amelia Walmsley and Martina Salmon lost composure, only getting eight attempts away under the immense pressure applied by Steel defenders Carys Stythe and Jess Milne. The Stars duo struggled to find favourable position in the circle and seemed indecisive late in the quarter over whether they were going for the two-point shot. Stythe and Milne particularly targeted Walmsley, who conceded four general-play turnovers in the second quarter and nine overall.
On the flipside, the Steel attacking end was far more connected than in week one against the Tactix, with the shooting percentages of Georgia Heffernan and Aliyah Dunn much improved. The high-scoring, fast-paced contest was a joy to watch and leaves the middle of the table log-jammed.
Maia Wilson has a future in broadcasting
While the idea of a current player commentating on the games of other teams is slightly bizarre, veteran Mystics goal shoot Maia Wilson produced the most insight of any expert commentator so far in TVNZ’s coverage of the Tactix-Pulse game on Sunday.
Wilson was noticing and eloquently explaining battles the more casual observer is less likely to pick up.
Maia Wilson doubles as a player and commentator in the ANZ Premiership. Photo / Photosport
When a long-range feed from Fa’amu Muliaga – nee Ioane – bounced off the post in the Tactix circle, Wilson commented not about the pass, the ricochet or the goal, but about the screen from Tactix goal attack Amorangi Malesala on Pulse defender Holly Comyns to open up the space. Wilson drew attention to the off-the-ball work of Tactix midcourters Erikana Pedersen and Holly Mather to shepherd Pulse defenders away from the centre of the court, something easily missed if you tend to just follow the ball.
Wilson’s technical nous is coupled with clear enthusiasm, which makes her an engaging broadcaster.
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.
