2023 ANZ Premiership season explained

League:	ANZ Premiership
Sport:	Netball
No Of Teams:	6
Duration:	4 March – 4 June 2023
Tv:	Sky Sport (New Zealand)
Minor Premiers:	Northern Mystics
Top Scorer:	Grace Nweke (Northern Mystics)
Finals Link:	Finals Series
Finals:	Finals
Finals Champ:	Northern Mystics
Finals Runner-Up:	Northern Stars
Seasonslistnames:	ANZ Premiership
Prevseason Year:	2022
Prevseason Link:	2022 ANZ Premiership season
Nextseason Year:	2024
Nextseason Link:	2024 ANZ Premiership season

The 2023 ANZ Premiership season was the seventh season of Netball New Zealand's ANZ Premiership.^{[1] [2]} With a team coached by Tia Winikerei, captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Peta Toeava, Northern Mystics won their second title.^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} Mystics finished the regular season as minor premiers, finishing above Central Pulse and Northern Stars.^{[6] [7] [8]} In the Elimination final, Stars defeated Pulse 53–52.^{[9] [10]} Mystics then defeated Stars 74–56 in the Grand final.^{[3] [4] [5]}

Transfers

Player	2022 team	2023 team
Fa'amu Ioane^[11] ^[12]	Northern Mystics	Central Pulse
Joyce Mvula^[13] ^[14] ^[15]	Manchester Thunder	Central Pulse
Ainsleyana Puleiata	Central Manawa	Central Pulse
Aliyah Dunn^[16] ^[17] ^[18]		Central Pulse	Mainland Tactix
Vika Koloto^[19]	Mainland NNL	Mainland Tactix
Laura Malcolm^[20] ^[21]	Manchester Thunder	Mainland Tactix
Greer Sinclair	Northern Stars	Mainland Tactix
Katie Te Ao^[22] ^[23]	Waikato Bay of Plenty NNL	Northern Mystics
Kelera Nawai-Caucau^[24] ^[25]	Mainland Tactix
Samon Nathan	Mainland Tactix
Lisa Putt^[26]	Northern Comets
Eseta Autagavaia^[27] ^[28]	Stars/Magic	Southern Steel
Courtney Elliott	Central Pulse	Southern Steel
Samantha Winders^[29] ^[30] ^[31] ^[32]	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	Southern Steel
Amy Christophers^[33] ^[34]	Waikato Bay of Plenty NNL	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Charlotte Elley^[35]	Mainland Tactix	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Ellie Bird^[36]	Mainland Tactix	Leeds Rhinos
Lisa Mather^[37]	Northern Stars	Saracens Mavericks
Grace Namana	Northern Mystics	Severn Stars
Ali Wilshier^[38]	Southern Steel	Team Bath

Head coaches and captains

Team	Head coach	Captain
Central Pulse	Yvette McCausland-Durie	Kelly Jury
Mainland Tactix	Marianne Delaney-Hoshek	Kimiora Poi
Northern Mystics	Tia Winikerei^[39] ^[40]	Sulu Fitzpatrick
Northern Stars	Kiri Wills	Maia Wilson
Southern Steel	Reinga Bloxham	Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit^[41] ^[42]
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	Mary-Jane Araroa	Ameliaranne Ekenasio^[43]

Pre-season

Otaki tournament

Central Pulse hosted the official ANZ Premiership tournament at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Otaki between 17 and 19 February. All six ANZ Premiership teams took part. It was the sixth edition of the tournament.^[44]

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Regular season

Round 12

Finals series

Grand final

Awards

New Zealand Netball Awards

Award	Winner	Team
Dame Lois Muir Supreme Award
ANZ Premiership Coach of the Year
ANZ Premiership Player of the Year

Team of the season

Brendon Egan selected Stuffs team of the season.

All Star Seven

Position	Player	Team
GS	Grace Nweke	Northern Mystics
GA	Ameliaranne Ekenasio	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
WA	Gina Crampton	Northern Stars
C	Maddy Gordon	Central Pulse
WD	Michaela Sokolich-Beatson	Northern Mystics
GD	Karin Burger	Mainland Tactix
GK	Kelly Jury	Central Pulse

Bench

Positions	Player	Team
GS	Maia Wilson	Northern Stars
WA, C	Whitney Souness	Central Pulse
WD, C, WA	Kate Heffernan	Southern Steel
GK, GD	Phoenix Karaka	Northern Mystics
GK, GD	Elle Temu	Northern Stars

Season statistics

Goal Shooters (by Goals Scored)
Pos.	Player	Team	Goals (%)
align=center	1	Grace Nweke	Northern Mystics	align=center
align=center	2	Maia Wilson	Northern Stars	align=center
align=center	3	Amelia Walmsley	Central Pulse	align=center
align=center	4	Aliyah Dunn	Mainland Tactix	align=center
align=center	5		Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center
align=center	6		Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center
align=center	7	Saviour Tui	Southern Steel	align=center
align=center	8	Te Paea Selby-Rickit	Mainland Tactix	align=center
align=center	9	Amorangi Malesala	Northern Stars	align=center
align=center	10	Georgia Heffernan	Southern Steel	align=center

Centre Pass Receives
Pos.	Player	Team	CPR
align=center	1	Whitney Souness	Central Pulse	align=center	471
align=center	2	Gina Crampton	Northern Stars	align=center	364
align=center	3	Simmon Wilbore	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	317
align=center	4	Peta Toeava	Northern Mystics	align=center	297
align=center	5	Te Paea Selby-Rickit	Mainland Tactix	align=center	290
align=center	6	Amorangi Malesala	Northern Stars	align=center	247
align=center	7	Filda Vui	Northern Mystics	align=center	232
align=center	8	Kimiora Poi	Mainland Tactix	align=center	232
align=center	9		Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	215
align=center	10	Samantha Winders	Southern Steel	align=center	201

Circle Feeds
Pos.	Player	Team	CF
align=center	1	Gina Crampton	Northern Stars	align=center	736
align=center	2	Mila Reuelu-Buchanan	Northern Stars	align=center	708
align=center	3	Peta Toeava	Northern Mystics	align=center	600
align=center	4	Whitney Souness	Central Pulse	align=center	480
align=center	5		Mainland Tactix	align=center	468
align=center	6	Maddy Gordon	Central Pulse	align=center	438
align=center	7	Simmon Wilbore	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	425
align=center	8	Laura Malcolm	Mainland Tactix	align=center	366
align=center	9	Kate Heffernan	Southern Steel	align=center	366
align=center	10	Tayla Earle	Northern Mystics	align=center	305

Defensive Rebounds
Pos.	Player	Team	DRs.
align=center	1	Kelly Jury	Central Pulse	align=center	24
align=center	2	Phoenix Karaka	Northern Mystics	align=center	23
align=center	3	Kate Burley	Southern Steel	align=center	21
align=center	4		Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	21
align=center	5	Elle Temu	Northern Stars	align=center	15
align=center	6	Georgia Takarangi	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	13
align=center	7	Carys Stythe	Northern Mystics	align=center	13
align=center	8	Sulu Fitzpatrick	Northern Mystics	align=center	12
align=center	9	Jane Watson	Mainland Tactix	align=center	9
align=center	10		Northern Stars	align=center	8

Deflections
Pos.	Player	Team	Def
align=center	1	Kelly Jury	Central Pulse	align=center	77
align=center	2	Kate Burley	Southern Steel	align=center	67
align=center	3	Phoenix Karaka	Northern Mystics	align=center	65
align=center	4	Karin Burger	Mainland Tactix	align=center	59
align=center	5	Georgia Takarangi	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	55
align=center	6	Jane Watson	Mainland Tactix	align=center	54
align=center	7	Holly Fowler	Northern Stars	align=center	49
align=center	8	Elle Temu	Northern Stars	align=center	49
align=center	9	Maddy Gordon	Central Pulse	align=center	47
align=center	10	Erena Mikaere	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	46

Intercepts
Pos.	Player	Team	Inter.
align=center	1	Karin Burger	Mainland Tactix	align=center	39
align=center	2		Central Pulse	align=center	34
align=center	3	Elle Temu	Northern Stars	align=center	27
align=center	4	Phoenix Karaka	Northern Mystics	align=center	26
align=center	5	Kate Heffernan	Southern Steel	align=center	26
align=center	6	Jane Watson	Mainland Tactix	align=center	26
align=center	7	Kate Burley	Southern Steel	align=center	22
align=center	8		Northern Stars	align=center	18
align=center	9	Erena Mikaere	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	17
align=center	10	Maddy Gordon	Central Pulse	align=center	15

Total Penalties
Pos.	Player	Team	TPs
align=center	1	Kelly Jury	Central Pulse	align=center	204
align=center	2	Georgia Takarangi	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	align=center	187
align=center	3	Karin Burger	Mainland Tactix	align=center	181
align=center	4		Northern Stars	align=center	173
align=center	5	Phoenix Karaka	Northern Mystics	align=center	170
align=center	6	Elle Temu	Northern Stars	align=center	163
align=center	7	Kristiana Manu'a	Central Pulse	align=center	160
align=center	8	Fa'amu Ioane	Central Pulse	align=center	142
align=center	9	Mila Reuelu-Buchanan	Northern Stars	align=center	140
align=center	10	Kate Burley	Southern Steel	align=center	135

Notes and References

1. Web site: LockerRoom: Ins and outs of netball's No.1 league. www.nzherald.co.nz. 27 February 2023. 13 August 2023.
2. Web site: Brendon Egan. ANZ Premiership: Your team-by-team guide to the 2023 competition. stuff.co.nz. 4 March 2023. 10 August 2023.
3. Web site: Mystics Grand Final win provides perfect send-off for Fitzpatrick. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 4 June 2023. 8 August 2023.
4. Web site: Perfect end for Sulu Fitzpatrick as Mystics beat Stars in ANZ Premiership final. stuff.co.nz. 4 June 2023. 12 August 2023.
5. Web site: Mystics give Sulu Fitzpatrick fairytale send-off. www.rnz.co.nz. 4 June 2023. 10 August 2023.
6. Web site: The real tale behind the MG Mystics' fairytale season. www.northernmystics.co.nz. 20 June 2023. 12 August 2023.
7. Web site: Mystics defeat Stars to clinch minor premiership. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 21 May 2023. 8 August 2023.
8. Web site: Brendon Egan. Mystics topple crosstown Stars to secure place in ANZ Premiership decider. stuff.co.nz. 21 May 2023. 13 August 2023.
9. Web site: Stars book Grand Finals berth with nerves of steel. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 28 May 2023. 8 August 2023.
10. Web site: Brendon Egan. Stars book spot in ANZ Premiership grand final after thrilling knockout win over Pulse. stuff.co.nz. 28 May 2023. 12 August 2023.
11. Web site: Pulse confirm team for 2023 season. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 16 June 2022. 25 November 2022.
12. Web site: Ioane embraces new challenges with Pulse. www.pulse.org.nz. 9 March 2023. 13 August 2023.
13. Web site: Joyce Mvula joins Pulse and heads to New Zealand to play in ANZ Premiership. www.skysports.com. 15 June 2022. 25 November 2022.
14. Web site: Central Pulse sign Malawi international Joyce Mvula as Aliyah Dunn's replacement. stuff.co.nz. 16 June 2022. 25 November 2022.
15. Web site: International shooter to join Pulse. www.pulse.org.nz. 16 June 2022. 25 November 2022.
16. Web site: Tactix sign Aliyah Dunn for 2023 ANZ Premiership. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 21 June 2022. 25 November 2022.
17. Web site: Aliyah Dunn leaving champion Central Pulse for Tactix. stuff.co.nz. 21 June 2022. 13 October 2022.
18. Web site: Tactix sign Aliyah Dunn for 2023 ANZ Premiership . stuff.co.nz. 21 June 2022. 13 October 2022.
19. Web site: Tactix name injury replacement to complete ANZ Premiership roster. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 25 November 2022. 8 August 2023.
20. Web site: Tactix secure England midcourter Laura Malcolm for 2023. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 22 June 2022. 25 November 2022.
21. News: Vitality Rose Laura Malcolm joins Tactix Netball. www.englandnetball.co.uk. 22 June 2022. 28 June 2022.
22. Web site: MG Mystics farewell Claire O'Brien. www.northernmystics.co.nz. 27 September 2022. 22 August 2023.
23. Web site: Te Ao has netball world at her fingertips. www.northernmystics.co.nz. 17 April 2023. 22 August 2023.
24. Web site: Stars add Kelera Nawai-Caucau from Tactix to replace retired Anna Harrison. stuff.co.nz. 12 July 2022. 25 November 2022.
25. Web site: Stars retain core squad for 2023 season. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 12 July 2022. 25 November 2022.
26. Web site: Robinhood Stars lock in local talent for 2023 ANZ Premiership season. www.starsnetball.co.nz. 1 March 2023. 19 August 2023.
27. Web site: Replacement shooter confirmed for Steel. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 24 February 2023. 8 August 2023.
28. Web site: Southern Steel's new shooter answers SOS. stuff.co.nz. 24 February 2023. 13 August 2023.
29. Web site: ANZ Premiership netball: A fresh start for Sam Winders with the Southern Steel. www.nzherald.co.nz. 7 July 2022. 17 July 2022.
30. Web site: Sam Winders signs for Steel. www.odt.co.nz. 7 July 2022. 16 July 2022.
31. Web site: Midcourter Sam Winders signed to Southern Steel. stuff.co.nz. 7 July 2022. 17 July 2022.
32. Web site: Southern Steel bolster midcourt, signing Silver Fern Sam Winders from Magic. stuff.co.nz. 7 July 2022. 17 July 2022.
33. Web site: 31-year-old set for ANZ Premiership debut after first being picked as a teen. www.rnz.co.nz. 10 March 2023. 10 August 2023.
34. Web site: Take every opportunity – Amy Christophers. www.netballmagic.co.nz. 10 August 2023.
35. Web site: Magic lay the foundations for 2023 season. www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 7 July 2022. 25 November 2022.
36. Web site: The First Interview: Bird becomes a Rhino. www.netballsl.com. 7 September 2022. 13 August 2023.
37. Web site: Saracens Mavericks welcome five new signings. saracens.com. 6 September 2022. 19 August 2023.
38. Web site: Dynamic New Zealand mid-courter Ali Wilshier excited to complete new-look Team Bath Netball squad for 2023 Superleague season. www.teambath.com. 6 October 2022. 13 August 2023.
39. Web site: MG Mystics appoint new head coach. www.northernmystics.co.nz. 9 September 2022. 10 August 2023.
40. Web site: Former apprentice coach Tia Winikerei to guide Mystics in ANZ Premiership. stuff.co.nz. 9 September 2022. 10 August 2023.
41. Web site: Captaincy an honour, says Selby-Rickit. www.odt.co.nz. 3 February 2023. 13 August 2023.
42. Web site: Steel captain seeks winning feeling. www.southernsteel.co.nz. 12 May 2023. 13 August 2023.
43. Web site: Experienced goal attack to lead Magic in ANZ Premiership. www.netballmagic.co.nz. 22 December 2022. 25 February 2023.
44. Web site: Teams set to test the waters at Ōtaki pre-season. www.pulse.org.nz. 14 February 2023. 13 August 2023.