The Stars have ended their ANZ Premiership season on a high, overpowering Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse 59-49 in Auckland on Saturday.
In a season that failed to live up to early expectations for both teams, the Stars finished strongly to lock in fourth place, using dominant first and third quarters to take control of the contest.
The home side led from start to finish, but had to work hard through the middle stages as a reshuffled Pulse line-up fought their way back into the match.
Stars shooter Amelia Walmsley was flawless under the hoop, landing 41 goals from 41 attempts, while Martina Salmon provided strong support in the shooting circle.
Through the midcourt, Samon Nathan and Claire O’Brien delivered clean, accurate ball, giving the Stars shooters plenty of quality possession.
Defensively, Kate Burley and Aimee Landrigan kept the pressure high, forcing the Pulse into errors and making life difficult for their attack end.
The Pulse, hit by injuries and missing regular centre Emma Thompson, used the match to blood younger players from the national netball league. Ainsleyana Puleiata stepped into the centre role, while Phoenix Schwalger impressed on ANZ Premiership debut at goal shoot.
The Stars made a fast start, racing to an 18-11 lead at the first break after the Pulse struggled to settle into their new combinations.
The visitors hit back in the second quarter, cutting the margin to 30-25 at halftime as Schwalger found her feet and the Pulse lifted their defensive pressure.
But the Stars stamped their authority on the game after the break, opening the third quarter with a 7-2 burst and stretching the lead to 46-35 by three-quarter time.
From there, the Stars managed the final quarter well, closing out a confident 10-goal win to finish their 2026 campaign with momentum and pride.
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