August 3, 2024 • 10 mins
The Central Pulse bid for a record fourth ANZ Premiership title in six seasons on Sunday, when hosting the Mystics in the 2024 decider.
After a season plagued with major injuries to key players, Pulse midcourter Whitney Souness joins Adam to preview the final, set to be played at a sold out TSB Arena.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Our Central Pulse are looking for a m Z Premiership
title number four when they host the Mystics on the
Grand Final here in Wellington at TESP Arena tomorrow afternoon. Now,
the Pulse have won two out of the three battles
with the Mystics this year so far. Their opponents have
prevails the last time they met by ten goals and
that was just a few weeks ago. So it's all
(00:21):
on for Wellington's TSP Arena tomorrow. Just how are the
Poles preparing for this one after a season of injury
problems and setbacks here they went away from a record
fourth championship though midquarter at Whitney Sooners, who's had a
fantastic season so far, joins me, Now morning to your Whitney.
You're all set to go for the big one.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, honestly, it seems like the season's gone by fast
and so at the same time in the finals of
the Strum of Corners. So we're super excited and we're
just grateful to be able to, you know, be here
considering all the things we've had to go through the
team this year. So yeah, we're suffect started and we
(01:02):
can't wait. We can't wait to play.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
And how have you personally found the season with all
the obstacles, the injuries you mentioned, all the rallying around
years a team have had to do, how's it been
to get through.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, it's been It's been hard. It's obviously not not
nice watching our teammates stuffer injury then had to go
through all that, but it's really cool. We've been able
to get the team together within the last few weeks
and all playing together again. So it's been a big
year for us. We've gone through your heats of injuries
just not not just our team and no other teams
(01:35):
as well. But I feel like our team has been
faced through a lot of obstacles and things have had
to overcome and really tested us. So we'll have to
be able to you know, still perform and have them
back now for this for this final is really special
and I think that it's a testament to our team
and how hard we've worked and how hard that the
people that were brought and have worked to bring us
(01:58):
to this game and to be able to play in
the finals.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, and there haven't been any buyers, Whitney, So you've
played as a team every single weekend since the competition
started so different to previous competition formats in the past.
Has that had an impact on the likes of fitness
come this point of the season.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
I feel like it hasn't. It hasn't. I think it's
good to keep playing consistently and be able to have
games every week because we trained so hard and to
be able to have a game at the end of
the week is always good. But I think, you know,
body is always going to be sore and tired. But
I think with the way we train and the way
(02:37):
our bodies are conditioned now, it's only right that we,
you know, play every week. So I think some girls
will also We're worth hired during some weeks and we
want want to have a game off. But I think
it's been good for us to just keep playing and
get as much nipple and as we can.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And your own form this year, Whitney. I know people
listening who have watched your games this year, we'll know
you've been a huge influence on court this Yeah, crucial
in some of those type wins. Have you felt your
confidence right through this season? Are you happy with how
it's all gone?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Yeah? I feel happy with how I'm playing and how
my year's gone so far, I think coming into this year,
you know, I'm feeling a bit. I am the oldest
in the team, so feeling that kind of responsibility to
step up in and play a more consistent game and
just enjoy my netball as well. I think it's been
a big part just making sure I enjoy it and
(03:30):
all the offport stuff is good, so I think it's
transferred to how I play and how I've been feeling.
So yeah, I'm really grateful for being able to play
some good for and happy with ha gone so far.
But you have one more job to do.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
We any sooner with us here on the All Sports
Breakfast this morning ahead of the Pulses I m the
Premiership Final looking for their third franchise championship tomorrow afternoon
at tesp Are against the Mystics. Well, can you give
listeners here a bit of insight into how it's been
playing under your new coach this year? And Anna Andrews
to Sola, I know she's been your assistant for several years,
(04:05):
but it's a whole new ball game for anyone stepping
up as head coach. So how she contributed to your success?
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Do you think? Yeah, I'm just done awesome. I think
having her for but anyways, when we had a vet
could definitely tell that she was ready for the step
up as head coach. And seeing her this year just
five and be able to overcome all these things have
had to face as a team and keep our team
all inline has been really positive and really good to see.
(04:34):
I think she's handled everything really well and made sure
that you know, you've rather has been on board right
from the start. So yeah, I think she couldn't have
had a better you know, start off as a head
coach for her first season, being fully in control of
the whole team. So yeah, really happy with how she's
gone and really respect her and appreciate all that she's.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Done for And looking back on last week, you had
the weekend off after qualifying top, but you watched on
as the Mystics beat the Tactics to advance to make
the polls in tomorrow's game. Did you have a preference
from that game as to who you were going to
be playing in the final tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, yeah, a few times. I don't know. I feel
like we we've probably played Technics not long ago, so
we were really you know, fast with who we would
play we knew it was hard ass who would come
out of the game as the winners, but I feel
like we have a lot to show, and from our
(05:32):
previous game against the Mystics, I feel like we all
want to go up there and put on a good
game against the Mystics compared to the last game we played.
So yeah, I don't really think I'm too fuss with
who it would be, So I'm just there we get
to another chance to go out there.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
In some of the games you've played this year, particularly
against those two other title contenders from the season, the
Mystics and the Tactics have been incredibly close. They have
been so tight. Have they made the Pulse a bit
of team this year? Do you think those type matches.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Yeah, for sure. I think TAY games always teach you
a lot more because you know you get to those
crucial moments and that's where you really need to step
up and whatever team comes about it at the end
as a winner. So we know that there were lots
of type wins and and will be lost by probably
a bit more than we wanted to have. So I
(06:28):
think they have definitely made us stronger and made us
want it more and made us know that we can
definitely do it if we all just work together and
really push through those really crucial moments where it is.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Type And for a lot of the team Whitney, including yourself,
it's certainly not the first time you've been in an
A and Z Premiership final, and you've been with the
Pulse on the winning side of a couple of finals,
but also been there for a couple of final defeats.
From your experience, how does the team best prepare for
a big final like this one.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Yeah, well, we've been We've been training pretty hard, and
I think it's a lot of hard conversations with each
other and just really pushing each other and not being
afraid to say how it is. And I think that's
how it's going this season, has been able to really
work hard when it's not easy to do it. I
(07:18):
think when it's easy, you just you know God about
your business and can go through the motions. But I
think with the injuries and our team having to adjust
to so many changes, I think it's really made every
player looks at themselves and think what they bring to
the table and how they can bring it every week.
So I think we've always been challenged this season, So
(07:40):
I think it's been coult watching every player just rides
to the changes and the challenges and being able to
still perform. So I think it's just about what team
can get through those really hard moments together and what
team's going to stay together the whole sixty minutes and
be able to pull each other through. So I'm proud
of my team that we've been able to do this
until this point. So yeah, let's hope we can sell
(08:03):
it in the final.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
A you someone who gets nervous before games like these.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Yeah, one hundred percent. But to be honest to speak,
I'll just try to keep coming and and just you know,
let their emotions see and turn it into excitement. It's
if you're playing here at home, it's so official, getting
to play in front of our fans and support it
and family here, So just wanting to go out there
and leave it all out on the court.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Really, And I think it took about two minutes for
this game to sell out when tickets went on sale.
What's that meant to you and the team to know
that everyone jumped on to fight for tickets to come
and cheer the Pulse on and this final tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Yeah, man, that's crazy. Honestly, our fans always it's all
of the big sell out at PSB especially, and we
know that we pay there, they're allowed and they got
our backs all the way, so I guess to hear
it sell out so quickly. I mean, I have people
ticking me saying they were shogging to get tickets and
it was I think they went on sale at like
twelve o'clock and it was twelve h three. So it's
(09:01):
crazy about it. It's please special for us because out
there they here is really supporve and they love the game.
So yeah, we just want to go out there and
go hard for them and for ourselves for what we've
done this season.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
And I'm sure some people listening are heading along to
the game at Test Arena tomorrow. How can the crowd
best help you get the job done?
Speaker 2 (09:22):
They just have to be loud how they always go
to see and just yeah, screenwork from the start and
not very hollimistic.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Now awesome, White, Well, Hey, great to catch up. Congrats
on the season for you individually so far this year,
but also for the team rising above the challenges and
proving that you can be successful even if you're missing
a whole collection of top players, so all the very
best this Grand Final here in the Capital tomorrow. I
know Wellington's right behind you and the team, so go
(09:53):
well and wishing you all the very best of luck.
Thanks for chatting this morning.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Awesome thanks Pep that I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
For more from newstalkst B, listen live on air or online,
and keep our shows with you wherever you go with
our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Our Central Pulse are looking for a m Z Premiership
title number four when they host the Mystics on the
Grand Final here in Wellington at TESP Arena tomorrow afternoon. Now,
the Pulse have won two out of the three battles
with the Mystics this year so far. Their opponents have
prevails the last time they met by ten goals and
that was just a few weeks ago. So it's all
(00:21):
on for Wellington's TSP Arena tomorrow. Just how are the
Poles preparing for this one after a season of injury
problems and setbacks here they went away from a record
fourth championship though midquarter at Whitney Sooners, who's had a
fantastic season so far, joins me, Now morning to your Whitney.
You're all set to go for the big one.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, honestly, it seems like the season's gone by fast
and so at the same time in the finals of
the Strum of Corners. So we're super excited and we're
just grateful to be able to, you know, be here
considering all the things we've had to go through the
team this year. So yeah, we're suffect started and we
(01:02):
can't wait. We can't wait to play.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
And how have you personally found the season with all
the obstacles, the injuries you mentioned, all the rallying around
years a team have had to do, how's it been
to get through.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, it's been It's been hard. It's obviously not not
nice watching our teammates stuffer injury then had to go
through all that, but it's really cool. We've been able
to get the team together within the last few weeks
and all playing together again. So it's been a big
year for us. We've gone through your heats of injuries
just not not just our team and no other teams
(01:35):
as well. But I feel like our team has been
faced through a lot of obstacles and things have had
to overcome and really tested us. So we'll have to
be able to you know, still perform and have them
back now for this for this final is really special
and I think that it's a testament to our team
and how hard we've worked and how hard that the
people that were brought and have worked to bring us
(01:58):
to this game and to be able to play in
the finals.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, and there haven't been any buyers, Whitney, So you've
played as a team every single weekend since the competition
started so different to previous competition formats in the past.
Has that had an impact on the likes of fitness
come this point of the season.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
I feel like it hasn't. It hasn't. I think it's
good to keep playing consistently and be able to have
games every week because we trained so hard and to
be able to have a game at the end of
the week is always good. But I think, you know,
body is always going to be sore and tired. But
I think with the way we train and the way
(02:37):
our bodies are conditioned now, it's only right that we,
you know, play every week. So I think some girls
will also We're worth hired during some weeks and we
want want to have a game off. But I think
it's been good for us to just keep playing and
get as much nipple and as we can.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
And your own form this year, Whitney. I know people
listening who have watched your games this year, we'll know
you've been a huge influence on court this Yeah, crucial
in some of those type wins. Have you felt your
confidence right through this season? Are you happy with how
it's all gone?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Yeah? I feel happy with how I'm playing and how
my year's gone so far, I think coming into this year,
you know, I'm feeling a bit. I am the oldest
in the team, so feeling that kind of responsibility to
step up in and play a more consistent game and
just enjoy my netball as well. I think it's been
a big part just making sure I enjoy it and
(03:30):
all the offport stuff is good, so I think it's
transferred to how I play and how I've been feeling.
So yeah, I'm really grateful for being able to play
some good for and happy with ha gone so far.
But you have one more job to do.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
We any sooner with us here on the All Sports
Breakfast this morning ahead of the Pulses I m the
Premiership Final looking for their third franchise championship tomorrow afternoon
at tesp Are against the Mystics. Well, can you give
listeners here a bit of insight into how it's been
playing under your new coach this year? And Anna Andrews
to Sola, I know she's been your assistant for several years,
(04:05):
but it's a whole new ball game for anyone stepping
up as head coach. So how she contributed to your success?
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Do you think? Yeah, I'm just done awesome. I think
having her for but anyways, when we had a vet
could definitely tell that she was ready for the step
up as head coach. And seeing her this year just
five and be able to overcome all these things have
had to face as a team and keep our team
all inline has been really positive and really good to see.
(04:34):
I think she's handled everything really well and made sure
that you know, you've rather has been on board right
from the start. So yeah, I think she couldn't have
had a better you know, start off as a head
coach for her first season, being fully in control of
the whole team. So yeah, really happy with how she's
gone and really respect her and appreciate all that she's.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
Done for And looking back on last week, you had
the weekend off after qualifying top, but you watched on
as the Mystics beat the Tactics to advance to make
the polls in tomorrow's game. Did you have a preference
from that game as to who you were going to
be playing in the final tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, yeah, a few times. I don't know. I feel
like we we've probably played Technics not long ago, so
we were really you know, fast with who we would
play we knew it was hard ass who would come
out of the game as the winners, but I feel
like we have a lot to show, and from our
(05:32):
previous game against the Mystics, I feel like we all
want to go up there and put on a good
game against the Mystics compared to the last game we played.
So yeah, I don't really think I'm too fuss with
who it would be, So I'm just there we get
to another chance to go out there.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
In some of the games you've played this year, particularly
against those two other title contenders from the season, the
Mystics and the Tactics have been incredibly close. They have
been so tight. Have they made the Pulse a bit
of team this year? Do you think those type matches.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Yeah, for sure. I think TAY games always teach you
a lot more because you know you get to those
crucial moments and that's where you really need to step
up and whatever team comes about it at the end
as a winner. So we know that there were lots
of type wins and and will be lost by probably
a bit more than we wanted to have. So I
(06:28):
think they have definitely made us stronger and made us
want it more and made us know that we can
definitely do it if we all just work together and
really push through those really crucial moments where it is.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Type And for a lot of the team Whitney, including yourself,
it's certainly not the first time you've been in an
A and Z Premiership final, and you've been with the
Pulse on the winning side of a couple of finals,
but also been there for a couple of final defeats.
From your experience, how does the team best prepare for
a big final like this one.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Yeah, well, we've been We've been training pretty hard, and
I think it's a lot of hard conversations with each
other and just really pushing each other and not being
afraid to say how it is. And I think that's
how it's going this season, has been able to really
work hard when it's not easy to do it. I
(07:18):
think when it's easy, you just you know God about
your business and can go through the motions. But I
think with the injuries and our team having to adjust
to so many changes, I think it's really made every
player looks at themselves and think what they bring to
the table and how they can bring it every week.
So I think we've always been challenged this season, So
(07:40):
I think it's been coult watching every player just rides
to the changes and the challenges and being able to
still perform. So I think it's just about what team
can get through those really hard moments together and what
team's going to stay together the whole sixty minutes and
be able to pull each other through. So I'm proud
of my team that we've been able to do this
until this point. So yeah, let's hope we can sell
(08:03):
it in the final.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
A you someone who gets nervous before games like these.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Yeah, one hundred percent. But to be honest to speak,
I'll just try to keep coming and and just you know,
let their emotions see and turn it into excitement. It's
if you're playing here at home, it's so official, getting
to play in front of our fans and support it
and family here, So just wanting to go out there
and leave it all out on the court.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Really, And I think it took about two minutes for
this game to sell out when tickets went on sale.
What's that meant to you and the team to know
that everyone jumped on to fight for tickets to come
and cheer the Pulse on and this final tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
Yeah, man, that's crazy. Honestly, our fans always it's all
of the big sell out at PSB especially, and we
know that we pay there, they're allowed and they got
our backs all the way, so I guess to hear
it sell out so quickly. I mean, I have people
ticking me saying they were shogging to get tickets and
it was I think they went on sale at like
twelve o'clock and it was twelve h three. So it's
(09:01):
crazy about it. It's please special for us because out
there they here is really supporve and they love the game.
So yeah, we just want to go out there and
go hard for them and for ourselves for what we've
done this season.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
And I'm sure some people listening are heading along to
the game at Test Arena tomorrow. How can the crowd
best help you get the job done?
Speaker 2 (09:22):
They just have to be loud how they always go
to see and just yeah, screenwork from the start and
not very hollimistic.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Now awesome, White, Well, Hey, great to catch up. Congrats
on the season for you individually so far this year,
but also for the team rising above the challenges and
proving that you can be successful even if you're missing
a whole collection of top players, so all the very
best this Grand Final here in the Capital tomorrow. I
know Wellington's right behind you and the team, so go
(09:53):
well and wishing you all the very best of luck.
Thanks for chatting this morning.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Awesome thanks Pep that I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
For more from newstalkst B, listen live on air or online,
and keep our shows with you wherever you go with
our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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