IT was a blockbuster round of ANZ Premiership action with only one of the five games decided by more than five goals showcasing the closeness of the competition. With impressive performances across the round no side dominated this round’s Team of the Week with at least one player from each team featured in the squad. The Pulse registering the most players with three while the Magic and Tactix were hot on their heels with two apiece.

GS: Maia Wilson
GA: Abigail Latu-Meafou
WA: Gina Crampton
C: Kimiora Poi
WD: Sam Winders
GD: Katrina Rore
GK: Temalisi Fakahokotau

BENCH: Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Peta Toeava, Kelly Jury

The goal shooter honours go to Maia Wilson who helped to steer the Northern Stars to victory in their two games across Round 5. She was incredibly strong in the circle and while she was forced to shoot from range at times her accuracy did not falter sinking 36 goals from 39 attempts in game one and backing up that performance the following day with 39 goals from 43 at an average of 91 per cent for the round. In at goal attack is Abigail Latu-Meafou with the Magic goaler impressing with her strong movement in the circle, confidence to post and improved accuracy. Latu-Meafou was poised with ball in hand, not afraid to play the ball around and reposition in the goal circle slotting 37 goals from 44 attempts at 84 per cent.

After an impressive performance, Gina Crampton gets the nod at wing attack with the Southern Steel midcourter carrying a bulk of load with her precise ball placement, strong drive to the top of the goal circle and well-weighted passes. She was potent in attack with a combined 33 goal assists from 51 feeds from her two outings. Kimiora Poi starred in her first game of the round out at centre with her speed, second phase play, ability to hit circle edge and defensive prowess on full display. She seemed to have the ball on a string, receiving just about every second pass and delivering into the circle strongly with 12 goal assists. But it was her efforts in defence that stood head and shoulders above the rest collecting six gains, one intercept, six deflections and seven pick-ups and while her second outing was more subdued managing 12 goal assists, two gain and three deflections, it was hard to go past her midcourt dominance. Magic captain Sam Winders slots in at wing defence and had a blinder across Round 5 showcasing her tenacity, explosive speed, clever positioning around circle edge and versatility pushing into centre in the second game.

It was a defensive masterclass from Katrina Rore with the Pulse captain involved in everything down back. Her skill to box out her opponent and have a profound impact in the goal circle was second to none while her power through attack was equally as impressive racking up a goal assist. Rore finished the game with four gains, four deflections, two rebounds and two pick-ups testament to her continuous pressure and hunt for the ball. Joining her in defence is Mainland Tactix goal keeper Temalisi Fakahokotau who put on a spectacle across both games. Fakahokotau is a real barometer for the Tactix and is arguably one of the competition’s most exciting defenders able to leap into action within the blink of an eye. Her tenacity, strength and aerial read of the play is uncanny amassing a whopping 11 gains, three intercepts, 10 deflections and three rebounds across the round such is her dominance and commanding stature.

Unlucky not to get a nod in the starting seven, all three player showcased glimpses of brilliance. Kelly Jury continued her blistering form with the goal keeper putting up a wall in defence, swatting away a wealth of ball to finish with seven gains, two intercepts, nine deflections and two rebounds. Joining her on the bench is fellow Pulse teammate Ameliaranne Ekenasio who not only delivered under the post with 17 goals from 20 attempts but so too through attack with 12 receives and nine goal assists. The final spot goes to Peta Toeava with the wing attack inspiring the Mystics attack end with her speed and quick release into the circle.