Winning back-to-back ANZ Premiership titles was the icing on the cake for departing Central Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie, after beating the Mainland Tactix in Sunday's final.
The Pulse won 43-31 at Invercargill's Stadium Southland to cap off a stunning campaign and successful four years at the helm, which included in four straight Grand Finals and two titles.
Her players wanted to send their mentor out on a winning note, but even if the Pulse hasn't won, McCausland-Durie would still be smiling, after everything she's achieved in her second stint with the franchise.
She also coached the side during the early years of the former trans-Tasman competition between 2009-11, when the Pulse had little success, winning just five games.
McCausland-Durie returned in 2017 with a side completely transformed into a netball powerhouse, stacked with Silver Ferns internationals.
"Regardless of the result, I was happy with where we got too," says McCausland-Durie
"I knew they had the ability, but you never know - the Tactix are a good idea and play with lots of heart, so that's hard to combat.
"We knew we had to get out of the blocks quickly in order to put pressure on. We challenged them defensively and from our attack end, there was that patience to work the ball in
"It wasn't always pretty and you don't always win pretty, but there were some good moments of play and others where I was pulling my hair out.
"It is nice to finish his way, but everything that's gone on behind the scenes... we leave this in a better space than how we found it."
The Tactix will hope their Grand Final run was the start of their dynasty.
Often near the bottom of the competition table, they recorded their most wins (nine) in a season to reach their maiden final, especially impressive after entering voluntary liquidation in April.
Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek is disappointed they didn't play to their potential.
"I'm extremely proud, but we would have liked to have played better, because it wasn't reflective of how we've played all season, but we will come back stronger next season," she says.
"They played their game really well."
With COVID-19 Level 2 restrictions limiting crowd sizes, both teams had a small bubble of family and friends inside the stadium, while NZ coach Noelie Taurua watched closely before naming her national side on Tuesday.
