OPINION: With four rounds left in the inaugural ANZ Premiership, the competition has successfully restored the "Kiwi style of play" but has it delivered the exciting season that was promised?
As it stands, early predictions for the Southern Steel making the final is firmly on track with the team undefeated after 10 games, but for a squad with seven of its 10 players at international level, so they should be. And let's clear one thing up - the scepticism that the Southerners are predictable with high ball to Jhanielle Fowler-Reid says more about the Steel's opponents than it does the Steel. At this point, nothing can take away their attacking superiority and it's simply going to take more than a hoist to conquer it.
Then we have the rest of the race. Despite the hype of "Super Sunday" netball, the derby matches have clearly drawn most interest. Yes the Mainland Tactix is yet to win a game but they didn't fail to deliver the most thrilling match so far. A five-point loss to the Steel in round seven on the back of losing their coach Sue Hawkins spoke volumes, and ironically gave the Tactix their only point of the competition
The same could've been said about the Northern Stars luck until a couple of rounds ago. Two wins in two derbies has restored confidence in the side and proved why we needed another team in this competition. Hopefully captain Leana de Bruin will return quickly after suffering an ankle injury to ensure she has a final season to remember... for the good.
On that note, Casey Kopua made her early international retirement announcement and the way she's been leading her Magic squad makes you think a domestic announcement is imminent. The Waikato team currently sit second on the table and Kopua's form is a huge testament to it, including the only South African import this year, shooter Lenize Portgeiter.
Experience has been key to the Mystics season. The Maria Tutaia and Bailey Mes combination has shot the pair to statistics stardom, not to mention one of the most exciting defenders to watch Anna Harrison. The unorthodox veteran is only four off the leader in most deflections and intercepts this year, but wins popularity by far.
But the Cinderella story is well and truly the Central Pulse. The star-studded coaching line-up, the recruitment drive of everyone's envy and after countless seasons of the Pulse looking good on paper they've lived up to expectation. They have the highest shooting percentage of the competition thanks to forgotten Fern Catherine Tuivaiti and her apprentice Tiana Metuarau, and, have one of the most formidable defending duos - what's not to love?
As the Tactix soon found out after recruiting shooter Ellie Bird, it has been the youth playing top tier netball that have proven integral in every team - and may give our regulars a run for the money come international selections time.
So has the competition delivered excitement? Not quite but for a first season it's off to a good start, and with only a month left of Premiership netball and finals spots not yet solidified - the competition is sure to fire up.
Ravinder Hunia is a Newshub sports reporter.
