The Tactix have won their first ANZ Premiership title with a 58-46 victory over the defending champions, the Mystics, at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.

It was the first national title in 28 seasons of franchise netball for the Canterbury side, who entered the Grand Final as underdogs. The Mystics had lost only one game during the season and had recently defeated the Tactix by 14 goals.

Tactix captain Erikana Pedersen said the team was determined to deliver a strong performance and credited the contribution of new head coach Donna Wilkins. She also acknowledged the leadership of senior players Ellie Bird, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Karin Burger, and Jane Watson.

The Tactix took control early, building a 10-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Strong defensive pressure from Burger and Watson helped limit the Mystics’ attacking options, and the Tactix maintained a steady lead throughout the match.

The Mystics made several changes to their line-up in an effort to turn the game around, including moving Michaela Sokolich-Beatson to wing defence and introducing Holly Rae into the circle. Later changes saw Peta Toeava shift to goal attack, Tayla Earle to wing attack, and Katie Te Ao to centre.

Despite the adjustments, the Tactix remained consistent. Ellie Bird was accurate in the shooting circle, and the team was able to reset and maintain possession under pressure.

The Mystics closed the gap briefly in the third quarter, helped by two late super shots from Filda Vui, but the Tactix held a 47-36 lead going into the final period and managed the game effectively to secure the win.

The final score marked a significant milestone for the Tactix, who had previously reached two Grand Finals without success. The team’s performance secured their first ANZ Premiership title since the competition began in 2017.