Business as usual for Pulse

Winning the Minor Premiership has come with some physical advantages for Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, a shift in mindset now in motion as they set their sights on a fourth ANZ Premiership netball league title.

The Pulse await the winner of this weekend’s Elimination Final between the Tactix and the Mystics to determine their opponent for the Grand Final in Wellington on August 4.

Having the luxury of extra recovery time and no travel obligations, the only change for the Pulse in the bigger picture is that they won’t be playing an official competition match this weekend.

``It’s absolutely business as usual, and definitely not a week off,’’ Pulse co-captain Kelly Jackson said. ``If anything, we’ll probably be training more and it’s good to know that we’ve got two weeks to try and perfect our game.

``No travel’s the big thing and being able to get a home game. We’re really excited to bring a final back to TSB Arena in Wellington. It can be an intimidating atmosphere for away teams, that can be really powerful and we want to take advantage of it.

``You can’t celebrate for too long, the job’s not finished yet. We know it’s going to be a massive game whoever we come up against. A grand final’s a different beast and two teams have the players and the skills to win a grand final but it’s the mental aspect that really pushes you over the line.’’

In her unassuming way, Jackson, 27, has thrived in her leadership capacity which has thrown all manner of challenges the Pulse’s way in a disruptive but engaging and thoroughly productive 2024 campaign.

Jackson has been the league’s most consistent defender while becoming the backbone of the team’s unity and resilience. It has all sat comfortably on the keeper’s broad shoulders, guiding her side to unlikely wins at times and now to a place where the team’s long list of injured are back.

With several frontline players missing large chunks of the season, their return at the business end came with concerns of a lack of hardened match play but their stocks have risen considerably after a decisive win over the Tactix to secure the Minor Premiership.

``You’re never going to get a complete game but I think that was probably our most complete game so far this season, so we’re firing at the right time and it was great that we could bounce back from that loss against the Mystics (the previous week),’’ Jackson said.

In the 45^th and last match of the regular season, it was the first time the Pulse’s 10 contracted players had been available at the same time, and all got on the court.

``I think they (returning players) have really been able to build into their game time nicely,’’ Jackson said.

``A lot of that reflects on our training intensity as well and being able to put each other under pressure in that environment. We have to train ourselves to be able to deal with pressure and being able to deliver in the critical moments.

``We’ve got such a strong bench now, so it’s being able to use that to our advantage. We’ve got so many girls that have taken their opportunities this year with the likes of Martina (Salmon), Kiana (Pelasio) and getting the experience of Claire (Kersten, out of retirement)…..everyone has brought their own strengths and now it just keeps the opposition guessing.

``We have acknowledged that there have been disruptions throughout the year with injuries and what not but we’ve never allowed ourselves to use that as an excuse and that’s what’s made us keep going and keep looking forward.

``Being tight-knit on and off the court is really crucial in trying to build a championship-winning team.’’

Jackson will appear in her third Grand Final on August 4, having previously won two titles with the Pulse in 2020 and 2022.

Ends


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