THE final round of Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action commenced over the weekend with a number of surprise results dictating this week’s Team of the Week. Meanwhile big wins to the Northern Mystics and Mainland Tactix sees those two sides dominate their Team of the Week.

ANZ Premiership:

GS: Ellie Bird (Mainland Tactix)
GA: Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Mainland Tactix)
WA: Peta Toeava (Northern Mystics)
C: Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (Northern Stars)
WD: Fa’amu Ioane (Northern Mystics)
GD: Karin Burger (Mainland Tactix)
GK: Anna Harrison (Northern Stars)

BENCH: Grace Nweke (Northern Mystics), Sam Winders (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic), Sulu Fitzpatrick (Northern Mystics)

Returning from injury Ellie Bird made no mistake under the post with the goal shooter using her height to carve up the court. Her strong holds and silky footwork to edge closer to the post made her a constant threat for the Tatix and was a key reason for her sides record breaking win in Round 10. Bird commanded the ball from the opening minutes of play and did not let up despite her brief time on the bench slotting 47 goals. Joining her in the goal circle is teammate Te Paea Selby-Rickit with the goal attack using her nous to play the ball around both inside the circle and out the front. The crafty goal attack was a real maestro using her deft touches to hit up Bird under the post while also backing herself to got to post finishing with 19 goals from 23 attempts at 83 per cent.

It was another stellar performance from Peta Toeava who seemed to have the ball on a string out in wing attack for the Northern Mystics. She was involved in just about every single passage of play, crafting the ball down the court and doing damage both from the top of the circle or in the pocket to deliver pinpoint passes into the circle. Northern Stars centre, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan is back in the side after another strong showing through the centre with her impressive timing and defensive work to win ball back. She was a real menace thanks to her three-foot marking and ability to contest around circle edge while her take-off speed allowed her to fly down the court racking up 20 goal assists. Another player returning from injury but this time for the Northern Mystics was Fa’amu Ioane. The wing defence well and truly left her mark on the match with her athleticism coming to the fore in the defensive third while her closing speed also brought plenty of excitement. Ioane was in the thick of things from the get-go and did not relent on her pressure, staying tight throughout the game and niggling away to finish the match with four deflections and a gain.

Karin Burger only continues to get better for the Mainland Tactix with the goal defence showcasing her impressive read of the play and aerial ability to wreak havoc down back. She was in just about everything, constantly hustling for front position and using her closing speed to shut down the space and win ball back. Burger was not only picking up intercepts and deflections recording six apiece but was also imperative through transition slicing through the opposition defence. Alongside her in defence is none other than Anna Harrison with the goal keeper having a field day out on court with her long arms doing a wealth of damage. It was a phenomenal effort from Harrison who like a cat continuously landed on her feet to spring into action recording a whopping 10 gains four of which were intercepts.

On the bench is Grace Nweke with the goal shooter once again prolific while Sam Winders was a real workhorse for the Magic for the entire 60 minutes. Unlucky not to get the nod in goal keeper, Sulu Fitzpatrick slots into the bench with the goal keeper getting plenty of hands to ball.

VNSL:

GS: Joyce Mvula (Manchester Thunder)
GA: Paige Reed (Severn Stars)
WA: Amy Carter (Manchester Thunder)
C: Beth Ecuyer-Dale (Saracens Mavericks)
WD: Beth Cobden (Loughborough Lightning)
GD: Emma Dovey (Manchester Thunder)
GK: Felisitus Kwangwa (Surrey Storm)

BENCH: Mary Cholhok (Loughborough Lightning), Serena Guthrie (Team Bath), Kerry Almond (Manchester Thunder)

There is no denying that Joyce Mvula was in ripping form as she guided Manchester Thunder to victory. Her 40-goal performance under the post was impressive as she used her heights and body positioning to withstand her direct opponent and shoot freely. Earning the nod out in goal attack for the first time this season is Paige Reed with the Severn Stars goaler utilising her timing and clever court play to her advantage. She was not afraid to back herself on the shot nailing 23 goals from her 25 attempts highlighting her prolific nature and ability to command the ball.

Through the midcourt, Amy Carter proved her wares out in wing attack. She impressed with her ability to open space up while her drive through the attacking third also did not go unnoticed. Her continuous give and go was crucial for Manchester Thunder as she threaded the needle into the goalers time and time again while also picking up a wealth of defensive ball with four intercepts and two deflections. Beth Ecuyer-Dale was a staple through the midcourt providing a sense of composure and calmness for the Saracens Mavericks. Her two-way running and overall netball smarts allowed her to have an impact at both ends of the court. It is no surprise that Beth Cobden secured the wing defence role with the Loughborough Lightning midcourter using her three-foot marking, foot speed and body work to impose herself particularly around circle edge. Her hunt and tenacity was undeniable as she collected nine deflections in what was yet another strong showing.

Emma Dovey was on song down in defence for the Thunder with the goal defence wreaking havoc with her hands over pressure and tenacity. She finished with an impressive five intercepts and five deflections to her name showcasing her ability to cleanly contest for the ball and be a real commanding presence down back. A stellar win from the Surrey Storm sees Felisitus Kwangwa make her way into the Team of the Week with the zippy defender using her read of the play and quick movement to disrupt the play. Her ability to force turnovers and confuse the space was on show throughout the match as she worked in overdrive to win ball back for her side.

The bench consists of a couple familiar names with Mary Cholhok and Kerry Almond who were both solid performers for their respective sides. The final spot goes to Serena Guthrie with the Team Bath centre imposing herself with her two intercepts and two deflections.