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Sport Nation
Important SN update for SouthlandThe Netties: Defending the top spot with three rounds remaining
Sport Nation • June 25th, 2025 10:00 am
Kate Heffernan & Kelly Jackson contest the ball in Monday night's thriller | Photo: Photosport
Every week Mark Stafford and Sulu Fitzpatrick (Kruze Tangira this week) will pick three standout players, awarding them 3, 2, and 1 points - the player with the most points at the end of the season will be crowned the inaugural Nettie.
Welcome to The Netties.
After Round 7, the Netties leaderboard tightens at the top. Carys Stythe and Catherine Hall now sit level on 19 points, with Michaela Sokolich-Beatson just behind on 17. Aliyah Dunn, Saviour Tui and Jane Watson round out the top six, as form lines continue to shift and the pressure ramps up.
Finals are getting closer, but Round 7 reminded everyone - on any given day, anyone can win. This competition isn’t waiting for favourites. It's rewarding those who show up, stand tall, and stay clutch - Let's get into the points.
ANZ Premiership Round 7
Saturday: Magic 51-63 Mystics at Globox Arena, Hamilton
The Hobbiton Cup will stay living north as the Mystics overpowered the Magic 63–51 in Hamilton.
It was another game where Saviour Tui carried the scoring load for Magic, but getting ball to her was a different story. Mystics brought pressure all over the court, with Catherine Hall, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Holly Rae leading the way defensively.
Rae’s return at goal defence saw MSB shift back to wing defence, and the move paid off - between Rae, MSB and Catherine Hall, the Mystics defenders combined for 10 points across the round.
It wasn’t a total collapse from the Magic, with Ameliaranne Ekenasio again showing her class and composure, but the Mystics took control early and never really looked back. Staffy and Kruze both gave Hall top billing, with a dominant, 4 intercept showing.
Staffy: Catherine Hall (3), MSB (2), Ameliaranne Ekenasio (1). Kruze: Catherine Hall (3), Holly Rae (2), Saviour Tui (1).
Sunday: Tactix 61-53 Stars at Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Down in Christchurch, the Tactix continued to climb with a strong 61–53 win over the Stars. Te Paea Selby-Rickit had been battling the flu all week but delivered yet another big performance - calm, confident and clutch when it counted.
The Tactix are playing like a side with helium in their shoes, zipping around the court while the Stars ‘looked heavy-footed’. Erikana Pederson controlled the game at centre and was rewarded with full points from Staffy, while Jane Watson impressed at the back, picking up a three from Kruze.
Marie Hansen only played eight minutes but made such an impact that Kruze called her the best on court for a depleted Stars side, and gave her his one.
A tough loss for the Stars, but there were bright spots in the few moments where they clicked.
Staffy: Erikana Pederson (3), Te Paea Selby-Rickit (2), Jane Watson (1). Kruze: Jane Watson (3), Erikana Pederson (2), Marie Hansen (1).
Monday: Pulse 57-58 Steel at TSB Arena, Wellingon
Monday brought the biggest twist, as the Steel snatched a 58–57 win over the Pulse in Wellington. It was a game many thought could go either way, but few expected the Steel to finish on top.
Georgia Heffernan stepped up in a big way - a clear standout. She talked during the week about taking pressure off Aliyah Dunn, and she delivered on that promise. Both Staffy and Kruze gave Heffernan their three points.
Amelia Walmsley’s shooting streak (more than 100 goals across three games without a miss) finally came to an end. It took Carys Stythe to do it, and what a battle that was. Both rising stars went head-to-head in one of the more exciting matchups of the round, and both picked up points for their efforts. Safe to say the future is in good hands.
Kelly Jackson also earned recognition from Staffy, as the Steel proved once again they can deliver in crunch moments.
Staffy: Georgia Heffernan (3), Kelly Jackson (2), Carys Stythe (1). Kruze: Georgia Heffernan (3), Amelia Walmsley (2), Carys Stythe (1).
The Netties 2025 Leaderboard
- Carys Stythe (19), Catherine Hall (19)
- Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (17)
- Aliyah Dunn (14)
- Saviour Tui (12)
- Jane Watson (11)
- Te Paea Selby-Rickit (10)
- Holly Mather (9)
- Claire O’Brien (9)
- Lili Tokaduadua (8)
Tune into Centre Pass: In Focus every Tuesday from 2-3pm on Sport Nation.
