These are not exactly the fighting words you expect from two crosstown rivals eyeing each other up for a national sporting crown.
For the first time, Auckland neighbours Northern Mystics and Northern Stars will contest the ANZ Premiership final in an encounter better described as a Battle of Mangere Bridge, rather than a traditional trans-harbour struggle.
While there have undoubtedly been texts and personal messages exchanged in the days leading up to their meeting at the GloBox Claudelands Arena, both captains are at pains to accentuate the warm and fuzzy relationship between the opponents.
"There's always an Auckland rivalry, mixed with a lot of respect and massive love," Stars skipper Maia Wilson told Newshub.
"Like I've said in the past, we've grown up playing with and against these people, and there's no-one else you'd go to battle with than your sisters - and you're playing them across the road.
"Not a neutral venue-ish, so it would be cool to see GloBox packed out with purple and blue."
This week, Mystics shooter Grace Nweke insisted there was no way her team would allow themselves to be beaten by the Stars in a competition final, but Wilson laughs off the challenge.
"I heard that," she said. "I'm just confident in our own ability, if that means it's going to be a strong contest.
"I would like to think they won't take us lightly and we definitely don't take them lightly. We're ready for a battle and with so much respect."
The feeling is mutual. Out on the court, Wilson will line up directly opposite rival captain and Silver Ferns teammate Sulu Fitzpatrick, who promises not to take a backwards step in their confrontation.
"Maimai's a very good friend of mine, but what I love is, when we're on the court, there's nothing nice, but as soon as the whistle goes, we're back to being good friends.
"I'm looking forward to the battle. I know there will be a lot of rivalry, but also a lot of sisterhood.
"We love those girls, we train and play against them a lot, so I'm looking forward to playing them."
The two teams have already met three times this season, with the Mystics prevailing twice. The biggest margin has been five goals and their last meeting went into overtime, before the Stars ran out winners.
The Mystics have won their only previous appearance in the ANZ Premiership final two years ago, while the Stars have twice lost to Central Pulse in 2019 and 2022.
"We've learnt a lot from the last two Grand Finals that we've been in," said Wilson. "I think that's enjoying the moment, enjoying the pressure that comes with a Grand Final, and just thriving in really sticky and uncomfortable situations.
"I have full belief we can do it, but it will be whoever can take it with two hands.
"We're always the underdogs every year - it's a term that we just put to the side and we're just excited to be here. We have so much belief and confidence in our team, our franchise and our abilities, so it's just for us to bring that out and thrive."
