The Stars look every bit ANZ Premiership title favourites.
The south Auckland side continued their excellent start to the season on Sunday, overcoming the Southern Steel 59-45 to make it four wins from four.
This is easily the best start to a season for the Stars, who were formed in 2017 for the first year of the New Zealand premiership.
They are well on track to shatter their record for most wins in a season, winning six round games in 2019 when they progressed to the grand final, losing to the Pulse.
The 59 goals scored by the Stars was their most this season from four games.
One of the rare disappointing aspects was the accuracy of Silver Ferns’ goal shoot Maia Wilson. Wilson converted 33 goals, but would have been frustrated with her accuracy, missing 10 attempts and shooting at just 77 per cent – well down on her normal percentage, usually in the 90s.
Playing against her former Steel team-mates, Silver Ferns wing attack Gina Crampton again led the way for the Stars with another polished performance. The 47-test Fern has been in brilliant touch to begin the new season, leading the Stuff MVP standings. She has been the standout player of the opening four weeks.
Crampton found herself in an interesting scenario, playing against the Steel for the first time, who she spent nine seasons with, playing 98 games and winning two titles.
She made life difficult for her old side, darting about the midcourt, hitting the circle edge, and finding her shooters effectively.
Defender Elle Temu had her best game of the season, shining in the defensive end alongside veteran Anna Harrison and keeping standout Steel shooter George Fisher contained.
English international Fisher had been a menace in the opening three rounds, scoring 46, 42, and 48 goals, but was restricted to 34 from 37.
On attack, the Stars are looking sharp. Crampton and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan were accurate with their feeding, sending crisp ball into shooters Wilson and Jamie Hume.
In her 50th ANZ Premiership game, Hume was heavily involved to start the game, converting 12 goals in the first half. Hume finished with 22 goals from 31 attempts.
Often playing more of a feeding role alongside the prolific Wilson, Hume wasn’t afraid to turn and shoot, keeping the Steel defensive end busy.
A 5-0 run from the Stars late in the first half allowed them to open up a 28-19 buffer, signalling danger time for the Steel.
Fresh off a memorable win over the Pulse, the Steel started brightly. They jumped out to a 9-7 lead with Fisher and Tiana Metuarau sharing the shooting workload.
Shannon Saunders was tough to shut down early on in the midcourt, sending one bullet pass to Fisher through swarming Stars’ defence.
The Stars finished the first quarter strongly, netting four unanswered goals to jump out to a 16-12 advantage in the closing stages.
Heading into the final quarter, the Stars were in control, leading 43-31, leaving the Steel with plenty to do to get back into the game.
The Steel refused to go away and gave themselves a sniff with a 7-3 start to the last quarter. The Stars were able to absorb the pressure though and coast to a comfortable win.
AT A GLANCE:
Stars 59 (Maia Wilson: 33/43, Jamie Hume: 22/31, Amorangi Malesala: 4/4) Steel 45 (George Fisher: 34/37, Tiana Metuarau: 11/19)
Quarter scores: 1Q: 16-13, HT: 32-23, 3Q: 43-31
Stuff MVP points: Elle Temu: 3, Anna Harrison: 2, Gina Crampton: 1
