Mystics give Sulu Fitzpatrick fairytale send-off

Sulu Fitzpatrick of the Mystics www.photosport.nz
Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz

The Mystics have won their second ANZ Premiership title in three years after beating the Stars 74-56 in Hamilton and given their captain the perfect send off.

It was the final ANZ Premiership game for Mystics stalwart Sulu Fitzpatrick, who is retiring and will be thrilled that her side put together their best performance of the season.

It was an all-Auckland final played in a neutral venue and was a high scoring affair from the get go.

The Mystics led 21-17 after the first quarter.

In the Stars win over the Pulse in the elimination final Kiri Wills made no changes to her starting seven for the first time in the season.

But she made a couple of defensive changes early when the Mystics shooters had too much room.

Phoenix Karaka.
Northern Stars v Northern Mystics. ANZ Premiership Netball, Pullman Arena. Auckland. New Zealand. Sunday 22 May 2022. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

In the second quarter Elle Temu shifted to goal keep, where she worked well in tandem with goal defence Holly Fowler.

The Stars got as close as two, but then the Mystics started piling on several goals and Jamie Hume replaced Stars’ goal attack Amorangi Malesala near the end of the second quarter.

But a lot of damage was done with the Mystics leading 38-29 at half time.

Malesala was back at goal attack for the second half, while Mystics’ coach Tia Winikerei put Carys Stythe on at goal keep for Fitzpatrick.

The Stars got within five after the main break but the Mystics went up another gear and on another scoring run to stretch their lead to 10.

Kelera Nawai-Caucau was re-introduced at goal keep for the Stars as Kiri Wills searched for answers.

Grace Nweke
Photo: Photosport

Malesala nailed a shot right before the buzzer for three quarter time but the Stars trailed 54-45.

Fitzpatrick came back on in the fourth quarter and Hume replaced Malesala again as Mystics goal defence Phoenix Karaka made life difficult for the opposition.

Silver Fern Grace Nweke had a huge game finishing with 70 goals at 96 percent.

Such was the confidence in the Mystics camp that Winikerei was able to run her bench out.

It was the Stars third grand final since their inception in 2017 but the title still eludes them. However, the Stars have exceeded most people’s expectations this season.

The Silver Ferns World Cup team will be announced on the 7th June at 1pm.