2023 Northern Mystics season

The 2023 Northern Mystics season saw Northern Mystics compete in the 2023 ANZ Premiership.[1][2] With a team coached by Tia Winikerei,[3][4] captained by Sulu Fitzpatrick and featuring Phoenix Karaka, Grace Nweke, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Peta Toeava, Northern Mystics won their second title.[5][6][7][8][9] Mystics finished the regular season as minor premiers, finishing above Central Pulse and Northern Stars.[8][10][11] Mystics defeated Stars 74–56 in the Grand final.[5][6][7]

Northern Mystics
2023 season
Head coachTia Winikerei
Asst. coachRob Wright
ManagerMeghan Robinson
CaptainSulu Fitzpatrick
Main venueThe Trusts Arena
Season results
Wins–losses12–4
Regular season1st
Finals placing1st
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours

Players

Player movements
Increase GainsDecrease Losses

Source:[1][2][8]

Roster
2023 Northern Mystics roster
PlayersCoaching staff
Nat. Name Position(s) DoB Height
New Zealand Danielle Binks GS –
New Zealand Tayla Earle C, WA, WD, GD (2000-04-22)22 April 2000 (aged 22) 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
New Zealand Monica Falkner Injured GA, GS (1996-04-08)8 April 1996 (aged 26) 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
New Zealand Sulu Fitzpatrick (c) GD, GK (1992-08-20)20 August 1992 (aged 30) 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
New Zealand Catherine Hall GK,GD (2003-12-16)16 December 2003 (aged 19) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
New Zealand Phoenix Karaka GD, GK, WD (1993-11-06)6 November 1993 (aged 29) 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
New Zealand Holly Mather –
New Zealand Grace Nweke GS (2002-02-07)7 February 2002 (aged 21) 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Australia Claire O'Brien1 (TRP) WA, C (1997-03-11)11 March 1997 (aged 25) 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
New Zealand Michaela Sokolich-Beatson (vc) GD, WD, GK (1996-10-02)2 October 1996 (aged 26) 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
New Zealand Katie Te Ao WD,C (2001-04-15)15 April 2001 (aged 21) 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
New Zealand Elisapeta Toeava WA, C (1994-03-10)10 March 1994 (aged 28) 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in)
New Zealand Carys Stythe GD,GK (2003-06-19)19 June 2003 (aged 19) 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
New Zealand Filda Vui GS, GA, WA (1996-04-16)16 April 1996 (aged 26) 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Head coach
  • Tia Winikerei
Assistant coach
  • Rob Wright

Manager:
Meghan Robinson
Physiotherapist:
Pat Hunt
Strength and conditioning:
Pera Gibbs

Notes
  • (c) – Captain
  • (cc) – Co-captain
  • (vc) – Vice-captain
  • Injured or on maternity leave – Injury / maternity leave
  • (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player
Notes
  • ^1 In September 2022, it was announced that Claire O'Brien was leaving Mystics. However she returned as a temporary replacement player for Round 7 following an injury to Tayla Earle. She remained in the squad for the rest of the 2023 season.[8][12][16]

Milestones

Debutants
  • Mystics #84: Katie Te Ao made her Mystics debut in Round 1 against Southern Steel.[20]
  • Mystics #85: Catherine Hall made her Mystics debut in Round 5 against Southern Steel.[21]
  • Mystics #86: Holly Mather

Sources:[1][2][8][9]

Pre-season

Otaki tournament

Northern Mystics participated in the official ANZ Premiership tournament, hosted by Central Pulse at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Otaki between 17 and 19 February. All six ANZ Premiership teams took part.[22]

Fri Feb 17 Mainland Tactix 54–50 Northern Mystics Te Wānanga o Raukawa  
10.30am
Fri Feb 17 Northern Mystics 50–42 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic Te Wānanga o Raukawa  
4.30pm
Sat Feb 18 Northern Mystics 48–45 Northern Stars Te Wānanga o Raukawa  
10.30am
Sat Feb 18 Central Pulse 50–54 Northern Mystics Te Wānanga o Raukawa  
6:00pm
Sun Feb 19 Southern Steel 54–42 Northern Mystics Te Wānanga o Raukawa  
9:00am

Sources:[23][24][25]

Regular season

Fixtures and results
Round 1
Sat 4 Mar Northern Mystics 64–38 Southern Steel The Trusts Arena  
7:00PM Grace Nweke Goals scored 46/48 (96%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored 12/17 (71%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 6/7 (86%)		 Report
Stats		 Jess Allan Goals scored 15/19 (79%)
Georgia Heffernan Goals scored 14/19 (74%)
Eseta Autagavaia Goals scored 9/13 (69%)
Round 2
Sun 12 Mar Mainland Tactix 45–54 Northern Mystics Christchurch Arena  
4:00PM Aliyah Dunn Goals scored 24/29 (83%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit Goals scored 20/26 (77%)
Vika Koloto Goals scored 1/1 (100%)		 Report
Stats		 Grace Nweke Goals scored 46/52 (88%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored 4/7 (57%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 4/4 (100%)
Round 3
Sun 19 Mar Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 57–56 Northern Mystics Globox Arena  
4:00PM Bailey Mes Goals scored 28/39 (72%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio Goals scored 29/34 (85%)		 Report
Stats		 Grace Nweke Goals scored 39/42 (93%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 13/14 (93%)
Round 4
Sun 26 Mar Northern Mystics 62–59 Northern Stars The Trusts Arena  
4:00PM Grace Nweke Goals scored 46/46 (100%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored 15/17 (88%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 1/1 (100%)		 Report
Stats		 Maia Wilson Goals scored 32/34 (94%)
Amorangi Malesala Goals scored 19/24 (79%)
Jamie Hume Goals scored 8/14 (57%)
Round 5
Sat 1 Apr Southern Steel 48–64 Northern Mystics Edgar Centre  
7:00PM Saviour Tui Goals scored 22/31 (71%)
Eseta Autagavaia Goals scored 6/7 (86%)
Georgia Heffernan Goals scored 20/29 (69%)		 Report
Stats		 Grace Nweke Goals scored 47/48 (98%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored 17/19 (89%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 0/1 (0%)
Mon 3 Apr Central Pulse 51–56 Northern Mystics Te Rauparaha Arena  
7:00PM Amelia Walmsley Goals scored 27/34 (79%)
Tiana Metuarau Goals scored 17/18 (94%)
Joyce Mvula Goals scored 7/7 (100%)		 Report
Stats		 Grace Nweke Goals scored 45/48 (94%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored 11/12 (92%)
Round 6
Sun 9 Apr Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 61–62 Northern Mystics Energy Events Centre  
2:00PM Bailey Mes Goals scored 36/41 (88%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio Goals scored 25/27 (93%)		 Report
Stats		 Grace Nweke Goals scored 50/55 (91%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored 7/8 (88%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 5/6 (83%)
Round 7
Sat 15 Apr Northern Mystics 53–55 Central Pulse The Trusts Arena  
4:00PM Grace Nweke Goals scored 41/45 (91%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored 11/12 (92%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 1/1 (100%)		 Report
Stats		 Amelia Walmsley Goals scored 36/50 (72%)
Tiana Metuarau Goals scored 17/19 (89%)
Joyce Mvula Goals scored 2/4 (50%)
Round 8
Sun 23 Apr Northern Mystics 60–49 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic The Trusts Arena  
4:00PM Grace Nweke Goals scored 50/62 (81%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 10/15 (67%)		 Report
Stats		 Bailey Mes Goals scored 24/29 (83%)
Ameliaranne Ekenasio Goals scored 25/29 (86%)
Mon 24 Apr Northern Mystics 77–79 Northern Stars The Trusts Arena  
7:00PM Grace Nweke Goals scored 70/75 (93%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 7/11 (64%)		 Report
Stats		 Maia Wilson Goals scored 50/54 (93%)
Amorangi Malesala Goals scored 27/32 (84%)
Jamie Hume Goals scored 2/3 (67%)
Round 9
Sun 30 Apr Mainland Tactix 77–79 Northern Mystics Christchurch Arena  
2:00PM Aliyah Dunn Goals scored
Te Paea Selby-Rickit Goals scored
Vika Koloto Goals scored		 Report
 Grace Nweke Goals scored 64/66 (97%)
Monica Falkner Goals scored
Filda Vui Goals scored
Round 10
Sat 6 May Northern Mystics 65–55 Southern Steel The Trusts Arena  
7:00PM Grace Nweke Goals scored 53/58 (91%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 12/16 (75%)		 Report
Stats		 Saviour Tui Goals scored 41/51 (80%)
Georgia Heffernan Goals scored 12/17 (71%)
Jess Allan Goals scored 2/3 (67%)
Round 11
Sun 14 May Central Pulse 62–56 Northern Mystics TSB Bank Arena  
4:00PM Amelia Walmsley Goals scored 47/57 (82%)
Tiana Metuarau Goals scored 15/15 (100%)		 Report
Stats		 Grace Nweke Goals scored 46/51 (90%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 10/15 (67%)
Round 12
Sun 21 May Northern Stars 63–58 Northern Mystics Pulman Arena  
2:00PM Maia Wilson Goals scored 33/36 (92%)
Amorangi Malesala Goals scored 25/29 (86%)		 Report
Stats		 Grace Nweke Goals scored 52/56 (93%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 11/13 (85%)
Mon 22 May Northern Mystics 64–61 Mainland Tactix Eventfinda Stadium  
7:00PM Grace Nweke Goals scored 59/69 (86%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 5/9 (56%)		 Report
Stats		 Aliyah Dunn Goals scored 32/33 (97%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit Goals scored 29/33 (88%)

Final standings
2023 ANZ Premiership ladder
Pos Team P W L GF GA GD G% BP Pts
1 Northern Mystics15114930828102112.3%336
2 Central Pulse1510580274656107.5%333
3 Northern Stars159688983554106.5%330
4 Mainland Tactix159679376033104.3%128
5 Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic1569791830-3995.3%422
6 Southern Steel15015653859-20676.0%44
Last updated: 7 August 2023

  Qualified for Grand final
  Qualified for Elimination final

Source:[26]

Finals series

Grand final
4 June 2023 Northern Mystics74–56Northern Stars    Globox Arena Sky Sport
Scoring by quarter: 21–17, 38–29, 54–45, 74–56
Grace Nweke Goals scored 70/73 (96%)
Filda Vui Goals scored 3/5 (60%)
Danielle Binks Goals scored 1/1 (100%)		 Maia Wilson Goals scored 38/42 (90%)
Amorangi Malesala Goals scored 17/21 (81%)
Jamie Hume Goals scored 1/3 (33%)

Source:[5][6][7]

Award winners

Team of the season

Three Mystics players were included in Brendon Egan's Stuff's team of the season.

All Star Seven
Position Player
GSGrace Nweke
WDMichaela Sokolich-Beatson
Bench
Positions Player
GK, GDPhoenix Karaka

Source:[27]

Mystics Awards
Award Winner
MG Motor Fans ChoicePhoenix Karaka
He KakanoCarys Stythe
ManawaroaPeta Toeava
Barfoot & Thompson MVP Fitzpatrick MedalGrace Nweke
Peta Toeava
H Toa Matarau (Supreme Award)Michaela Sokolich-Beatson

Source:[9]

References
  1. "LockerRoom: Ins and outs of netball's No.1 league". www.nzherald.co.nz. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  2. Brendon Egan (4 March 2023). "ANZ Premiership: Your team-by-team guide to the 2023 competition". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  3. "MG Mystics appoint new head coach". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  4. "Former apprentice coach Tia Winikerei to guide Mystics in ANZ Premiership". stuff.co.nz. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. "Mystics Grand Final win provides perfect send-off for Fitzpatrick". www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  6. "Perfect end for Sulu Fitzpatrick as Mystics beat Stars in ANZ Premiership final". stuff.co.nz. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  7. "Mystics give Sulu Fitzpatrick fairytale send-off". www.rnz.co.nz. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  8. "The real tale behind the MG Mystics' fairytale season". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  9. "Northern Mystics – History". www.northernmystics.co.nz. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  10. "Mystics defeat Stars to clinch minor premiership". www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  11. Brendon Egan (21 May 2023). "Mystics topple crosstown Stars to secure place in ANZ Premiership decider". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  12. "MG Mystics farewell Claire O'Brien". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  13. "Te Ao has netball world at her fingertips". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  14. "Pulse confirm team for 2023 season". www.anzpremiership.co.nz. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  15. "Ioane embraces new challenges with Pulse". www.pulse.org.nz. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  16. "Tayla Earle ruled out of Round 7 with injury". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  17. "Rhapsody in blue – Sulu hits 150". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  18. "Mystics claim emphatic win over Steel to honour Fitzpatrick's big 150". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  19. "ANZ Premiership: Northern Mystics mark Sulu Fitzpatrick's 150th with scrappy win". www.stuff.co.nz. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  20. "MG Mystics V Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  21. "Mystics relentless in win over steel to claim Georgie Salter Memorial Trophy". www.northernmystics.co.nz. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  22. "Teams set to test the waters at Ōtaki pre-season". www.pulse.org.nz. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  23. "Lapses prove costly for Pulse". www.pulse.org.nz. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  24. "Pulse's true colours begin to show". www.pulse.org.nz. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  25. "Pulse end pre-season on disappointing note". www.pulse.org.nz. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  26. "(2023) Fixtures & results". www.anzpremiership.co.nz. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  27. Brendon Egan (3 June 2023). "Who makes the final cut for ANZ Premiership's All Star Seven?". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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