Kayla Cullen will become a centre-wing defence option for the Mystics in the 2016 season. Photo / Getty Images
Kayla Cullen will become a centre-wing defence option for the Mystics in the 2016 season. Photo / Getty Images
The transtasman league franchises are due to submit their line-ups for the 2016 season today. Dana Johannsen looks at how the Kiwi teams shape.
Northern Mystics
There'll be some big changes in the middle next year for the Northern Mystics, who have assembled a defensive-heavy line-up.
The loss to the NSW Swifts of Silver Ferns star Laura Langman, who never really appeared at ease in the Mystics set-up, will mean a rejig of the midcourt with English import Serena Guthrie expected to move up the court to centre. Kayla Cullen will also become a centre-wing defence option after featuring at goal defence last season.
The Auckland side are well catered for in the defensive end with veteran Anna Harrison returning from maternity leave, joining Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, Temalisi Fakahokotau and newcomers Holly Fowler and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson - both highly regarded young talents.
But they have little in the way of cover in their front line. There'll just be one shooting back-up to Maria Tutaia and Cathrine Latu while Nadia Loveday is the only "attacking midcourter" signed so far.
The final two spots, which are likely to be confirmed today, are believed to go to rookie players new to the competition. But expect a big surprise with the third shooting spot.
Confirmed signings: Kayla Cullen, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Holly Fowler*, Serena Guthrie, Anna Harrison**, Cathrine Latu, Nadia Loveday, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson*, Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, Maria Tutaia (two more to be added).
Waikato-BoP Magic
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic player Casey Kopua. Photo / Nick Reed
No hassle, no fuss. The Magic's team naming for next season proved to be ridiculously straightforward, with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty side doing something never before done in ANZ Championship history - sticking with the same line-up.
The only change for 2016 will be the absence of defender Jo Trip, who is heading overseas. But the Magic had an extra defender anyway, after calling in a late replacement for injured skipper Casey Kopua.
While it's the same line-up as this year, they'll be hoping to have full use of the team in 2016, after missing the services of Kopua and key midcourter Courtney Tairi, who ruptured her Achilles' tendon in round one, for most of the season.
They'll have a few more international players in their ranks by the time next season rolls around as well, with young shooter Malia Paseka debuting for the Silver Ferns last month, while Sam Sinclair is considered a strong chance to force her way into the New Zealand line-up for the October Constellation Cup.
Final team: Aisha Bower, Leana de Bruin, Ellen Halpenny, Jo Harten, Kelly Jury, Casey Kopua, Kristiana Manu'a, Malia Paseka, Jamie-Lee Price, Grace Rasmussen, Sam Sinclair, Courtney Tairi.
Central Pulse
Chelsea Pitman joins the Pulse this season. Photo / NZME
The Pulse's roster has undergone the most significant change, with new coach Tanya Dearns overhauling the programme after a disappointing 2015 season that promised so much.
Dearns' requirement that the team all be based in Wellington throughout the season has left several veteran players in limbo. Joline Henry and Liana Leota aren't expected to be back, while as of yesterday shooter Jodi Brown was still in a stand-off with franchise management over her future with the team.
Brown appears to be in the stronger bargaining position, with the Pulse light on shooting options.
They will be heavy on accents, however, with the Pulse having a distinctly Australian feel. Chelsea Pitman and Jacinta Messer will join their former Queensland Firebirds' teammate and newly adopted Kiwi Ameliaranne Wells at the Pulse. Only Messer carries import status as both Pitman and Wells have Kiwi parents.
The Pulse have also nicked Phoenix Karaka from the Steel, forming an exciting new defensive pairing with Silver Fern Katrina Grant.
If the Pulse can get Brown over the line, the remaining two spots are likely to be filled by youngsters.
Confirmed signings: Katrina Grant, Phoenix Karaka*, Jacinta Messer*, Chelsea Pitman*, Elias Shadrock, Whitney Souness, Ameliaranne Wells, Kate Wells, Maia Wilson* (three more to be added).
Malawi's Mwai Kumwenda will turn out for the Tactix. Photo / Greg Bowker
Another tough season looks to be on the cards for the Tactix, who continue to struggle to recruit experienced players to the region. It is not through a lack of effort - they again tried to coax some top-name players to Canterbury, but none were willing to make the leap. So the 2016 Tactix line-up is virtually identical to this year's.
They're down an import, however, with Netball NZ turning down an application by the Tactix that would grant them dispensation to field a second import for the fourth straight year. The Tactix will still have the services of Malawi shooter Mwai Kumwenda, who was this month named player of the tournament at the Netball World Cup. The only other current international in their line-up is Silver Fern Bailey Mes.
It says a lot that most of the Tactix line-up played for Netball Mainland in the under-23 tournament in July.
Final team: Olivia Coughlan, Charlotte Elley*, Gemma Hazeldine, Mwai Kumwenda, Nicola Mackle, Bailey Mes, Jess Moulds, Erikana Pedersen, Hayley Saunders, Louise Thayer, Anna Thompson and Zoe Walker.
Like the Tactix, the Steel have also struggled to recruit any big names down south for next season.
The only change to their line-up is the return of Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit after four seasons at the Pulse, in what was effectively a straight swap for Silver Fern Phoenix Karaka. Selby-Rickit will join younger sister Te Paea in Steel colours.
Having re-signed 1.98m Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, the Steel will remain competitive in 2016, but they don't look to have the firepower to get past the competition's heavyweight sides.
The Steel are expected to confirm their final two spots today.
Confirmed signings: Gina Crampton, Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Shannon Francois, Wendy Frew, Brooke Leaver, Stacey Peeters, Storm Purvis, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Jane Watson (two more to be added).
