The GoSweetSpot Mystics are the most successful team in ANZ Premiership history, and it is not particularly close anymore.
They beat the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel 56-46 in the Grand Final in Auckland on Saturday, claiming a record fourth title — one more than any other side in the competition's era.
The Steel made their first Grand Final appearance in eight years and were genuinely competitive for three quarters. They were never blown away early. But the Mystics had an answer for everything, and when the Steel needed a decisive breakthrough, they could not find it.
The difference came down to shooting efficiency and defensive dominance. Filda Vui shot 27 from 29 in the first half. Maia Wilson took over in the second, finishing 29 from 31. Between them, they were nearly flawless. The Steel's Aliyah Dunn and Georgia Heffernan, by contrast, were well-contained by the relentless defensive pairing of Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Phoenix Karaka.
The Mystics led 15-11 at the first break, pushed it to seven shortly after the resumption, and went to halftime up 29-23. Midcourt general Peta Toeava controlled the tempo throughout, her connection with Vui a recurring headache for Southern's defensive structures.
The Steel had their moments. A late second-quarter rally closed the gap to two before the Mystics reasserted control. In the third, Carys Stythe forced turnovers and the Steel strung together three straight goals to cut the margin to three. For a brief stretch, it felt like the game might open up.
It did not. Wilson's movement in the shooting circle, crisp transition through court, and the Mystics' suffocating defence shut down every Steel raid. A Dunn two-pointer on the stroke of three-quarter time reduced the deficit to six — still within reach — but the Mystics led 44-38 at the final turn and never looked like surrendering it.
The Steel injected Queensland injury replacement Jessie Laga'aia into the midcourt during the second quarter to disrupt the Mystics' rhythm. It barely registered. The Mystics' experience — accumulated across four title campaigns — proved the decisive factor.
After falling short in last year's final, this group made no mistake. Four titles. The record is theirs.