Martina Salmon of the Pulse and Jane Watson of the Tactix tussle for the ball. Copyright photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
The Pulse have won their fifth minor premiership and will host the ANZ Premiership grand final after beating the Tactix 58-44 in Wellington.
But perhaps even more important than a home grand final - the Pulse have avoided an elimination final against the in-form defending champion Mystics this weekend.
The Tactix could still grab their first maiden title and send outgoing coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek out on a high, after twice finishing runners-up.
They will be on home soil when they take on the Mystics, who have looked dangerous since Grace Nweke and Peta Toeava returned to the fold after rehabbing from injury.
So much was riding on the final game of netball's ANZ Premiership regular season but the Pulse denied the Tactix the opportunity to host the grand final for the first time.
Kimiora Poi of the Tactix (left) and Maddy Gordon of the Pulse. Photo: Martin Hunter / Photosport Ltd
The Tactix and Pulse had been battling it out at the top of the ladder all season and came into the game on the same number of wins.
The Wellington-based side became the most successful team in ANZ Premiership history when they claimed their third title in 2022 and have a chance to build on their legacy.
When the teams last met in Round 10 the Tactix defeated the Pulse 58-53 in Christchurch in extra time.
But the Pulse did their homework and dominated the first quarter 16-10, thanks in part to a five-goal unanswered scoring run.
Martina Salmon started at goal shoot for the Pulse again, while veteran ring-in Claire Kersten did a great job at centre.
Salmon scored 13 from 15 to set up the Pulse beautifully.
Amelia Walmsley replaced Salmon in the second quarter, while Maddy Gordon replaced Kersten at centre.
Aliyah Dunn reaches for the ball. Photo: photosport
The Tactix also mixed up their defensive line by bringing Kate Lloyd on at goal keep, while Jane Watson moved to goal defence, and Karin Burger to wing defence.
Later in the second quarter Tactix coach Delaney-Hoshek brought Paris Lokotui on at goal defence, and moved Watson back to goal keep.
Despite the Tactix efforts to change the momentum of the game the Pulse extended their advantage to lead 31-22 at half-time.
With the Pulse leading 39-31 with five minutes left in the third spell, Salmon came back on for Walmsley.
The Tactix won the third quarter by three goals to trail the Pulse by six goals going into the final turn.
Erikana Pedersen of the Tactix and Parris Mason of the Pulse tussle for the ball. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
The Tactix got within four of the Pulse in the final quarter.
Walmsley came on for the last eight minutes of the game and the Pulse went on an incredible 11-goal run before the Tactix finally scored their 42nd goal.
Ellie Bird, who was so vital for the Tactix for the bulk of the season, came on at goal shoot for Aliyah Dunn with six minutes left in the game.
Delaney-Hoshek made other last-ditch changes but it was too late and the Pulse ran away with the game.
Both Pulse goal shooters put in a great shift - Salmon finished with 20 from 22 and Walmsley 30 from 36.