The Silver Ferns will do battle with the New Zealand Men's Netball team as part of their preparation for the world cup in July
When Central Pulse captain Katrina Rore took to the court for the final quarter of the ANZ Premiership grand final, she was determined to re-write the ghosts of her team's past.
And it wasn't until the Monday afternoon clash against the Northern Stars ticked down its final seconds that she actually believed they could do it.
"I just thought 'we got this, you can't score three goals in 20 seconds so I think we've got it'," Rore told the Radio Sport Breakfast.
The former Silver Ferns skipper and her Pulse side had obtained the 'chokers' tag at the end of a stellar season last year when a final quarter blow-out saw the Southern Steel snatch back-to-back titles.
With plenty owed to their loyal home crowd, the Pulse were well aware of the potential consequences that would come with repeating history.
The Pulse after their finals win. Photo / Photosport
So when the final whistle blew, the relief on Rore's face was not easily missed as she admits it was one of the most emotional victories in her netball career.
"I feel like we learnt so much from last year that we just couldn't let that happen again," she says. "Third time lucky I guess, there was a whole lot going through my mind.
"The Stars, in the playoffs and the final, is the best I've seen them play all season. They're an outstanding side and they made us work really hard and they never went away which was really frustrating.
"But it made for a great final ... it makes the celebrations and when you win feel that much greater."
Leading her side to claim the title for the first time in their club's history, was the icing on the cake of what has been a celebratory few weeks for Rore.
Last month, the 32-year-old earned her recall into the Silver Ferns to play at the Netball World Cup after being controversially left out of the side's January Quad Series campaign.
The recall had re-ignited a flame in Rore who says Monday's win gave her further hope and motivation that the Ferns could bounce back on the international stage.
"It's been a very up and down road for myself," she says. "I feel like this year is a nice turning point.
"Back in the Ferns for the World Cup which I'm pumped about and then winning this ANZ Premiership ... can't see why we can't get World Cup gold, can't see why 2019 can't be tops."
Rore will head straight back onto the court on Wednesday as she and her fellow Ferns prepare for a training camp next week.
The Ferns have just a few weeks before their World Cup preparation games tip off on June 26.
The series will see the Silver Ferns face a New Zealand All-Stars squad, the Fiji Pearls and a New Zealand men's invitational team at Auckland's Pulman Arena.
Silver Ferns goal shoot Grace Nweke speaks about the Constellation Cup series and the rivalry against the Diamonds in the final match. Video / Alyse Wright
