Southern Steel have defended their New Zealand netball premiership title in dramatic circumstances, in a result that could have implications for the Silver Ferns in the Quad Series involving Australia.
The Invercargill-based side scored the last seven goals against Central Pulse to snatch victory in Palmerston North on Sunday, 54-53.
The top-qualifying Pulse melted over the final four minutes, leaving them still without a title in the 20 years a professional Kiwi league has been operating.
Much interest centres on whether captain Katrina Grant will retain her status following their disastrous fourth-placed campaign at the Commonwealth Games in April.
Grant has been an inspiring leader for the Pulse this season but had a quiet final.
She told Radio Sport this week she would be "fine" if she didn't retain the national captaincy.
Netball New Zealand is still to appoint a coach to replace Janine Southby, who resigned in the wake of a review after the Games failure.
Noeline Taurua-Barnett is favoured to take the role although she wouldn't become available until her Super Netball duties with the Sunshine Coast Lightning finish this month.
There is speculation the coach could be unveiled as soon as Monday.
The Quad Series, also featuring South Africa and England, starts on September 15 in Auckland.
Steel players to impress this season included wing attack Gina Crampton and sisters Te Paea and Te Huinga Selby-Rickit.
For the Pulse, teenage goal shoot Aliyah Dunn could be a Test bolter, while Karin Burger has shone at wing defence.
The final result was a fitting farewell for Steel captain Wendy Frew, who is retiring after 16 seasons with the southern franchise.
