Mystics shooter Grace Nweke, left, tussles with Pulse captain Kelly Jackson during the 2024 ANZ Premiership Grand Final at TSB Arena, Wellington. Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport
The Mystics have won back to back ANZ Premiership titles, with a dramatic last-ditch goal from Grace Nweke giving them a 54-53 win over the Pulse in Wellington.
The Pulse had led for much of the final five minutes but the Mystics drew level late and then Nweke slotted the goal at her second attempt.
It is the third title for the Mystics, after winning last year and in 2021.
"That game was just crazy," a tearful Nweke told Sky Sport.
The match was an physically intensive, high energy one, with the lead swapping numerous times and it also had its controversy, with Mystics goalkeeper Phoenix Karaka ordered from the court early in the final quarter for two minutes after an illegal challenge on Whitney Souness, who had earlier had to leave the court herself with blood pouring from an eyebrow.
The Mystics were quicker to get into gear than a nervy-looking Pulse outfit, with Peta Toeava firing in some impressive shots to shooter Grace Nweke. By the end of the first quarter, they held a 14-9 lead.
They started the second quarter well, but the Pulse spurred into action during a run of play in which Souness had to leave the court after a head clash with Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. They levelled up at 23-all, but Nweke had the final say and it was 27-25 to the Mystics at halftime.
It was goal for goal in the third quarter, with the teams swapping the lead before Filda Vui slotted a goal after Catherine Hall forced a turnover to make it 42-41 to the Mystics heading into the final quarter.
Souness had returned to the court to large cheers from her home crowd during the third quarter, taking over from Maddy Gordon at centre.
The final quarter was again incredibly close, but it was the Mystics who had the final say.
"There was a moment there when I thought we had lost it," said Nweke who shot 48 from 55 attempts, with Vui backing her up with four goals from four attempts.
"I actually can't believe we have won that.''
Nweke said playing against Pulse captain Kelly Jackson, who had a titanic battle with the star shooter, was like ''playing in a test match and we are going toe for toe."
Nweke said the team had been through a lot of adversity before finishing the season with a flourish as they charged into the playoffs and then beat the Tactix last weekend.
It was a shattering defeat for the Pulse, who looked to have it won it before the Mystics hurt them in the dying stages.
Amelia Walmsley shot 39 from 46 and Tiana Metuarau was accurate with 11 from 12 attempts.