2008 ANZ Championship season

The 2008 ANZ Championship season was the inaugural season of the ANZ Championship. The 2008 season began on 5 April and concluded on 28 July. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic were minor premiers after finishing top of the table following the regular season. New South Wales Swifts, with a team coached by Julie Fitzgerald and captained by Catherine Cox, won 10 of their 13 matches and finished second behind Magic. Swifts subsequently defeated Magic in both the major semi–final and the grand final to become the inaugural ANZ Championship winners. The grand final was played on 28 July at Acer Arena. Overall, 6792 goals were scored during the season, averaging 98.44 per match. Fox Sports (Australia) and Sky Sport (New Zealand) attracted an average audience per match of 56,581.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

2008 ANZ Championship season
League	ANZ Championship
Sport	Netball
Duration	5 April 2008 – 28 July 2008
Number of teams	10
TV partner(s)	Fox Sports (Australia) Sky Sport (New Zealand)^[1]
Champions	New South Wales Swifts
Runners-up	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Minor premiers	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Season MVP	Romelda Aiken (Firebirds) Sonia Mkoloma (Pulse)
Top scorer	Irene van Dyk (Magic)^[2]
ANZ Championship seasons
2009 →

Transfers

Player	2007 team	2008 team
Mo'onia Gerrard^[7]	Sydney Swifts	Adelaide Thunderbirds
Geva Mentor	Team Bath	Adelaide Thunderbirds
Kate Beveridge	Perth Orioles	Adelaide Thunderbirds
Rebecca Bulley^[8]^[9]^[10]	Melbourne Kestrels	New South Wales Swifts
Romelda Aiken	Jamalco	Queensland Firebirds
Tamsin Greenway	Team Bath	Queensland Firebirds
Janelle Lawson	AIS Canberra Darters	Queensland Firebirds
Joanne Morgan		Queensland Firebirds
Ama Agbeze	Loughborough Lightning	West Coast Fever
Karen Atkinson	Mavericks	West Coast Fever
Ingrid Dick	Melbourne Phoenix	West Coast Fever
Jodi Brown	Otago Rebels	Canterbury Tactix
Rachel Dunn^[11]	Team Bath	Canterbury Tactix
Demelza Fellowes	Otago Rebels	Canterbury Tactix
Sonia Mkoloma	Brunel Hurricanes	Central Pulse
Frances Solia		Central Pulse
Cathrine Latu	Northern Force	Northern Mystics
Jenny-May Coffin	Auckland Diamonds	Southern Steel
Megan Dehn^[12]	Sydney Swifts/Northern Force	Southern Steel
Maria Tutaia	Auckland Diamonds	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

Source:^[13][14][15]

Head coaches and captains

Team	Head coach	Captain
Adelaide Thunderbirds	Jane Woodlands-Thompson^[16]	Natalie von Bertouch^[17]^[18]
Melbourne Vixens	Julie Hoornweg^[19]	Sharelle McMahon^[20] Bianca Chatfield^[21]
New South Wales Swifts ^[22]	Julie Fitzgerald^[23]	Catherine Cox
Queensland Firebirds^[24]	Vicki Wilson	Peta Stephens
West Coast Fever^[1]^[25]	Sue Gaudion	Stacey Rosman
Canterbury Tactix	Helen Mahon-Stroud^[26]	Julie Seymour^[27]^[28]
Central Pulse	Kate Carpenter^[29]	Frances Solia^[30]
Northern Mystics	Yvonne Willering^[31]	Temepara George^[27]
Southern Steel^[32]^[33]^[34]	Robyn Broughton	Jenny-May Coffin Megan Hutton
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic^[35]	Noeline Taurua^[36]^[37]	Amigene Metcalfe^[28]

Regular season

During the regular season the Australian teams played each other twice and the New Zealand teams once. The New Zealand teams also played each other twice and each of the Australian teams once.^[13]

Round 1

Saturday 5 April	Central Pulse	33–50	Melbourne Vixens	TSB Bank Arena
2:30 pm	Susan Tagicakibau   13/20 (65%) Jamilah Gupwell   15/20 (75%) Amber Bellringer   5/7 (71%)	Report	Sharelle McMahon   16/21 (76%) Caitlin Thwaites   34/42 (81%)	Umpires: Alison Cormack Pauline Sciascia Reserve umpire: David Pala'amo

Sunday 6 April	Queensland Firebirds	48–46	West Coast Fever	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
1:00 pm	Romelda Aiken   32/37 (86%) Janelle Lawson   8/17 (47%) Joanne Morgan   5/10 (50%) Tamsin Greenway   3/4 (75%)		Caitlin Bassett   37/44 (84%) Nikala Smith   6/9 (67%) Bianca Franklin   3/6 (50%)	Umpires: Pauline Francisco Raechel Richards Reserve umpire: Helen George

Sunday 6 April	Northern Mystics	44–48	Canterbury Tactix	Trusts Stadium
5:30 pm	Paula Griffin   16/19 (84%) Cathrine Latu   15/20 (75%) Jade Topia   13/15 (87%)	Report	Jodi Brown   38/43 (88%) Anna Thompson   10/16 (63%)	Umpires: Bronwyn Meek David Pala'amo Reserve umpire: Mandy Nottingham

Monday 7 April	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	46–42	Adelaide Thunderbirds	Energy Events Centre
7:00 pm	Irene van Dyk   28/36 (78%) Maria Tutaia   18/25 (72%)		Kristen Hughes   24/32 (75%) Natalie Medhurst   18/21 (86%)	Umpires: Bobbi Brown Mandy Nottingham Reserve umpire: Bronwyn Meek

Monday 7 April	New South Wales Swifts	53–42	Southern Steel	Acer Arena
7:00 pm	Catherine Cox   28/39 (72%) Susan Pratley   25/28 (89%)	Report	Daneka Wipiiti   34/44 (77%) Megan Dehn   7/12 (58%) Julianna Naoupu   1/1 (100%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Jacqui Jashari Reserve umpire: Collette Brennan

Round 2

Saturday 12 April	Canterbury Tactix	50–44	New South Wales Swifts	Westpac Arena
2:30 pm	Jodi Brown   35/41 (85%) Anna Thompson   15/20 (75%)	Report	Catherine Cox   26/37 (70%) Susan Pratley   18/24 (75%)	Umpires: Mandy Nottingham Pauline Sciascia Reserve umpire: David Pala'amo

Sunday 13 April	Melbourne Vixens	62–52	Queensland Firebirds	State Netball Hockey Centre
1:30 pm	Sharelle McMahon   22/25 (88%) Caitlin Thwaites   39/48 (81%) Ashlee Howard   1/1 (100%)	Report	Romelda Aiken   40/45 (89%) Janelle Lawson   12/19 (63%)	Umpires: Kate Wright Pauline Francisco

Sunday 13 April	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	56–52	Northern Mystics	Energy Events Centre
5:30 pm	Irene van Dyk   31/38 (82%) Maria Tutaia   25/31 (81%)		Cathrine Latu   29/34 (85%) Jade Topia   23/26 (88%)	Umpires: Bobbi Brown Bronwyn Meek Reserve umpire: Pauline Sciascia

Monday 14 April	Central Pulse	50–52	Southern Steel	TSB Bank Arena
7:00 pm	Jamilah Gupwell   24/31 (77%) Amber Bellringer   26/35 (74%)	Report	Daneka Wipiiti   23/37 (62%) Megan Dehn   16/22 (73%) Julianna Naoupu   13/15 (87%)	Umpires: Jonathon Bredin David Pala'amo Reserve umpire: Mandy Nottingham

Monday 14 April	West Coast Fever	41–54	Adelaide Thunderbirds	Challenge Stadium
6:00 pm	Caitlin Bassett   32/33 (97%) Nikala Smith   8/16 (50%) Tracey Pemberton   1/3 (33%)	Report	Kristen Hughes   25/32 (78%) Natalie Medhurst   29/30 (97%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Jacqui Jashari

Round 3

Saturday 19 April	Northern Mystics	45–49	West Coast Fever	Trusts Stadium
2:30 pm	Cathrine Latu   34/42 (81%) Jade Topia   6/10 (60%) Paula Griffin   5/8 (63%)		Caitlin Bassett   15/15 (100%) Nikala Smith   7/12 (58%) Bianca Franklin   27/30 (90%)	Umpires: Mandy Nottingham David Pala'amo Reserve umpire: Bronwyn Meek

Saturday 19 April	New South Wales Swifts	50–47	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	Newcastle Entertainment Centre
2:30 pm	Catherine Cox   31/38 (82%) Susan Pratley   19/22 (86%)	Report	Irene van Dyk   29/32 (91%) Maria Tutaia   18/23 (78%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Helen George Reserve umpire: Collette Brennan

Sunday 20 April	Melbourne Vixens	38–39	Adelaide Thunderbirds	Vodafone Arena
1:30 pm	Sharelle McMahon   ? Caitlin Thwaites   ?	Stats	Kristen Hughes   ? Natalie Medhurst   22/23 (96%)

Monday 21 April	Canterbury Tactix	42–51	Southern Steel	Westpac Arena
7:00 pm	Jodi Brown   30/36 (83%) Anna Thompson   8/13 (62%) Hayley Stockman   4/7 (57%)	Report	Daneka Wipiiti   38/51 (75%) Megan Dehn   13/16 (81%)	Attendance: 5000 Umpires: Bronwyn Meek Pauline Sciascia Reserve umpire: Mandy Nottingham

Monday 21 April	Queensland Firebirds	56–28	Central Pulse	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
7:00 pm	Romelda Aiken   24/25 (96%) Janelle Lawson   10/10 (100%) Joanne Morgan   18/25 (72%) Tamsin Greenway   4/7 (57%)	Report	Susan Tagicakibau   8/10 (80%) Jamilah Gupwell   16/23 (70%) Amber Bellringer   4/8 (50%)	Umpires: Collette Brennan Pauline Francisco Reserve umpire: Dianne Cocker

Round 4

Saturday 26 April	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	61–47	West Coast Fever	Mystery Creek Events Centre
2:30 pm	Irene van Dyk   35/37 (95%) Maria Tutaia   26/33 (79%)	Report	Caitlin Bassett   35/38 (92%) Nikala Smith   4/5 (80%) Bianca Franklin   8/10 (80%)	Umpires: Bronwyn Meek Mandy Nottingham Reserve umpire: Pauline Sciascia

Saturday 26 April	Queensland Firebirds	46–40	Northern Mystics	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
2:30 pm	Romelda Aiken   27/33 (82%) Janelle Lawson   15/18 (83%) Joanne Morgan   4/6 (67%)	Report	Cathrine Latu   15/16 (94%) Jade Topia   7/9 (78%) Paula Griffin   18/25 (72%)	Umpires: Collette Brennan Sue Floro Reserve umpire: Dianne Cocker

Sunday 27 April	Adelaide Thunderbirds	54–41	Southern Steel	ETSA Park
1:00 pm	Kristen Hughes   18/20 (90%) Natalie Medhurst   18/21 (86%) Kate Beveridge   18/21 (86%)		Daneka Wipiiti   33/46 (72%) Megan Dehn   8/10 (80%)	Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Raechel Richards Reserve umpire: Pauline Francisco

Monday 28 April	Canterbury Tactix	50–58	Melbourne Vixens	Westpac Arena
7:00 pm	Jodi Brown   36/38 (95%) Anna Thompson   14/17 (82%)	Report	Sharelle McMahon   18/21 (86%) Caitlin Thwaites   40/52 (77%)	Umpires: Alison Cormack David Pala'amo Reserve umpire: Mandy Nottingham

Monday 28 April	New South Wales Swifts	59–30	Central Pulse	Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
7:00 pm	Catherine Cox   36/43 (84%) Susan Pratley   15/17 (88%) Leah Shoard   8/12 (67%)	Report	Susan Tagicakibau   19/23 (83%) Jamilah Gupwell   3/5 (60%) Amber Bellringer   8/14 (57%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Rachael Ayre Reserve umpire: Helen George

Round 5

Saturday 3 May	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	54–37	Central Pulse	Mystery Creek Events Centre
2:30 pm	Irene van Dyk   40/41 (98%) Maria Tutaia   11/15 (73%) Halana Leith   3/4 (75%)	Report	Susan Tagicakibau   18/20 (90%) Amber Bellringer   19/27 (70%)	Umpires: Jonathon Bredin Pauline Sciascia Reserve umpire: Bronwyn Meek

Saturday 3 May	West Coast Fever	46–65	Queensland Firebirds	Challenge Stadium
12:30 pm	Caitlin Bassett   39/49 (80%) Nikala Smith   4/7 (57%) Bianca Franklin   3/6 (50%)	Report	Romelda Aiken   48/54 (89%) Janelle Lawson   11/17 (65%) Tamsin Greenway   6/9 (67%)

Monday 5 May	Southern Steel	48–50	Northern Mystics	Stadium Southland
7:00 pm	Daneka Wipiiti   32/45 (71%) Megan Dehn   16/20 (80%)		Cathrine Latu   31/34 (91%) Jade Topia   19/29 (66%)	Umpires: Bobbi Brown Alison Cormack Reserve umpire: Jonathon Bredin

Monday 5 May	New South Wales Swifts	52–53	Melbourne Vixens	Newcastle Entertainment Centre
7:00 pm	Catherine Cox   36/42 (86%) Susan Pratley   16/20 (80%)		Sharelle McMahon   21/24 (88%) Caitlin Thwaites   32/42 (76%)

BYES:  Adelaide Thunderbirds and Canterbury Tactix

Round 6

Saturday 10 May	Southern Steel	48–51	Canterbury Tactix	Stadium Southland
2:30 pm	Daneka Wipiiti   31/39 (79%) Megan Dehn   17/22 (77%)	Report	Jodi Brown   40/46 (87%) Anna Thompson   11/18 (61%)

Saturday 10 May	Queensland Firebirds	66–52	New South Wales Swifts	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
2:30 pm	Romelda Aiken   58/60 (97%) Tamsin Greenway   8/9 (89%)	Report	Catherine Cox   28/31 (90%) Susan Pratley   24/31 (77%)

Monday 12 May	Northern Mystics	45–59	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	Trusts Stadium
7:00 pm	Cathrine Latu   30/34 (88%) Jade Topia   15/23 (65%)	Report	Irene van Dyk   36/39 (92%) Maria Tutaia   23/29 (79%)

Monday 12 May	Adelaide Thunderbirds	66–50	West Coast Fever	ETSA Park
6:30 pm	Kristen Hughes   24/28 (86%) Natalie Medhurst   34/36 (94%) Kate Beveridge   8/11 (73%)		Caitlin Bassett   36/42 (86%) Nikala Smith   6/11 (55%) Bianca Franklin   8/9 (89%)

BYES:  Melbourne Vixens and Central Pulse

Round 7

Saturday 17 May	Central Pulse	50–55	Canterbury Tactix	Arena Manawatu
2:30 pm	Susan Tagicakibau   7/10 (70%) Jamilah Gupwell   25/33 (76%) Amber Bellringer   18/26 (69%)		Rachel Dunn   37/43 (86%) Anna Thompson   18/26 (69%)

Sunday 18 May	Adelaide Thunderbirds	46–52	Melbourne Vixens	ETSA Park
1:00 pm	Kristen Hughes   7/11 (64%) Natalie Medhurst   29/33 (88%) Kate Beveridge   10/14 (71%)		Sharelle McMahon   23/31 (74%) Caitlin Thwaites   29/35 (83%)	Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Annie Kloppers Reserve umpire: Raechel Richards

Monday 19 May	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	56–47	Southern Steel	Mystery Creek Events Centre
7:00 pm	Irene van Dyk   33/33 (100%) Maria Tutaia   23/26 (88%)		Daneka Wipiiti   34/35 (97%) Megan Dehn   13/16 (81%)

Monday 19 May	New South Wales Swifts	66–54	West Coast Fever	Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
7:00 pm	Catherine Cox   32/43 (74%) Susan Pratley   34/37 (92%)		Caitlin Bassett   49/54 (91%) Nikala Smith   4/5 (80%) Bianca Franklin   1/1 (100%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Annie Kloppers Reserve umpire: Collette Brennan

BYES:  Queensland Firebirds and Northern Mystics

Round 8

Saturday 24 May	Canterbury Tactix	50–54	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	Westpac Arena
2:30 pm	Rachel Dunn   35/41 (85%) Anna Thompson   15/19 (79%)	Report	Irene van Dyk   32/33 (97%) Maria Tutaia   22/29 (76%)

Sunday 25 May	Queensland Firebirds	60–51	Melbourne Vixens	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
1:30 pm	Romelda Aiken   53/58 (91%) Tamsin Greenway   7/13 (54%)	Report	Sharelle McMahon   19/21 (90%) Caitlin Thwaites   32/38 (84%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Rachael Ayre Reserve umpire: Dianne Cocker

Monday 26 May	Central Pulse	48–54	Northern Mystics	TSB Bank Arena
7:00 pm	Susan Tagicakibau   29/34 (85%) Jamilah Gupwell   19/24 (79%)	Report	Cathrine Latu   10/10 (100%) Jade Topia   16/18 (89%) Paula Griffin   28/34 (82%)

Monday 26 May	Adelaide Thunderbirds	44–50	New South Wales Swifts	ETSA Park
6:30 pm	Natalie Medhurst   15/17 (88%) Kate Beveridge   29/32 (91%)		Catherine Cox   34/39 (87%) Susan Pratley   16/18 (89%)	Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Collette Brennan Reserve umpire: Pauline Francisco

BYES:  West Coast Fever and Southern Steel

Round 9

Saturday 31 May	Southern Steel	41–29	Central Pulse	Stadium Southland
2:30 pm	Daneka Wipiiti   21/28 (75%) Megan Dehn   16/22 (73%) Jess Tuki   4/5 (80%)	Report	Susan Tagicakibau   11/15 (73%) Jamilah Gupwell   15/20 (75%) Amber Bellringer   3/6 (50%)

Sunday 1 June	Melbourne Vixens	57–44	West Coast Fever	State Netball Hockey Centre
1:30 pm	Sharelle McMahon   24/32 (75%) Caitlin Thwaites   23/31 (74%) Abby Sargent   9/12 (75%) Ashlee Howard   1/4 (25%)	Report	Caitlin Bassett   35/37 (95%) Nikala Smith   5/6 (83%) Bianca Franklin   4/5 (80%)	Umpires: Raechel Richards Pauline Francisco Reserve umpire: Kate Wright

Monday 2 June	Northern Mystics	50–46	Canterbury Tactix	Trusts Stadium
7:00 pm	Cathrine Latu   16/16 (100%) Jade Topia   12/18 (67%) Paula Griffin   22/25 (88%)	Report	Rachel Dunn   15/18 (83%) Anna Thompson   24/30 (80%) Ellen Halpenny   7/9 (78%)

Monday 2 June	Queensland Firebirds	41–47	Adelaide Thunderbirds	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
7:00 pm	Romelda Aiken   32/39 (82%) Janelle Lawson   5/11 (45%) Tamsin Greenway   4/7 (57%)		Natalie Medhurst   18/19 (95%) Kate Beveridge   29/34 (85%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Collette Brennan Reserve umpire: Dianne Cocker

BYES:  New South Wales Swifts and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

Round 10

Saturday 7 June	Southern Steel	47–46	Melbourne Vixens	Stadium Southland
2:30 pm	Daneka Wipiiti   21/31 (68%) Julianna Naoupu   26/32 (81%)	Report	Sharelle McMahon   18/22 (82%) Caitlin Thwaites   28/38 (74%)

Sunday 8 June	Adelaide Thunderbirds	61–41	Canterbury Tactix	ETSA Park
1:00 pm	Kate Beveridge   39/43 (91%) Natalie Medhurst   22/26 (85%)		Rachel Dunn   27/32 (84%) Anna Thompson   14/16 (88%)	Umpires: Pauline Francisco Raechel Richards Reserve umpire: Dusty Rea

Sunday 8 June	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	56–50	Queensland Firebirds	Energy Events Centre
5:30 pm	Irene van Dyk   40/48 (83%) Maria Tutaia   16/21 (76%)	Report	Romelda Aiken   39/46 (85%) Janelle Lawson   1/3 (33%) Tamsin Greenway   10/14 (71%)

Monday 9 June	Northern Mystics	62–64	New South Wales Swifts	Trusts Stadium
7:00 pm	Catherine Latu   48/52 (92%) Grace Rasmussen   14/19 (74%)	Report	Catherine Cox   35/39 (90%) Susan Pratley   28/28 (100%)	Umpires: Bronwyn Meek Mandy Nottingham Reserve umpire: Jonathon Bredin

Monday 9 June	West Coast Fever	33–16 ^(Note 3)	Central Pulse	Challenge Stadium
6:00 pm	Caitlin Bassett   20/24 (83%) Bianca Franklin   13/14 (93%)	Report	Susan Tagicakibau   4/8 (50%) Jamilah Gupwell   11/12 (92%) Amber Bellringer   1/2 (50%)	Umpires: Kate Wright Jacqui Jashari Reserve umpire: Tammy Howard

Round 11

Saturday 14 June	Northern Mystics	47–48	Adelaide Thunderbirds	Trusts Stadium
2:30 pm	Catherine Latu   31/33 (94%) Grace Rasmussen   11/18 (61%) Jade Topia   5/7 (71%)	Report	Kate Beveridge   20/25 (80%) Natalie Medhurst   28/32 (88%)	Umpires: Bobbi Brown David Pala'amo Reserve umpire: Liz Boon

Sunday 15 June	New South Wales Swifts	61–60	Queensland Firebirds	Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
1:30 pm	Catherine Cox   32/36 (89%) Susan Pratley   29/33 (88%)	Report	Romelda Aiken   53/56 (95%) Tamsin Greenway   3/4 (75%) Sophie Croft   4/6 (67%)	Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Kate Wright Reserve umpire: Collette Brennan

Sunday 15 June	Canterbury Tactix	50–49	Central Pulse	Westpac Arena
5:30 pm	Rachel Dunn   27/34 (79%) Anna Thompson   17/26 (65%) Ellen Halpenny   6/11 (55%)	Report	Susan Tagicakibau   23/28 (82%) Jamilah Gupwell   22/31 (71%) Amber Bellringer   4/8 (50%)	Umpires: Alison Cormack Pauline Sciascia Reserve umpire: Mandy Nottingham

Monday 16 June	Southern Steel	58–43	West Coast Fever	Edgar Centre
7:00 pm	Daneka Wipiiti   41/46 (89%) Julianna Naoupu   17/26 (65%)	Report	Caitlin Bassett   29/38 (76%) Bianca Franklin   8/12 (67%) Nikala Smith   6/7 (86%)	Umpires: Jonathon Bredin Mandy Nottingham Reserve umpire: Bobbi Brown

Monday 16 June	Melbourne Vixens	47–40	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	State Netball Hockey Centre
7:00 pm	Sharelle McMahon   26/31 (84%) Caitlin Thwaites   9/15 (60%) Abby Sargent   12/19 (63%)	Report	Irene van Dyk   25/28 (89%) Maria Tutaia   15/25 (60%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Rachael Ayre Reserve umpire: Kate Wright

Round 12

Saturday 21 June	Central Pulse	41–46	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	TSB Bank Arena
2:30 pm	Susan Tagicakibau   26/32 (81%) Jamilah Gupwell   15/18 (83%)	Report	Irene van Dyk   35/36 (97%) Maria Tutaia   11/14 (79%)	Umpires: Alison Cormack David Pala'amo Reserve umpire: Pauline Sciascia

Saturday 21 June	West Coast Fever	48–54	Melbourne Vixens	Challenge Stadium
12:30 pm	Caitlin Bassett   39/43 (91%) Nikala Smith   9/10 (90%)	Report	Sharelle McMahon   19/22 (86%) Caitlin Thwaites   32/40 (80%) Abby Sargent   3/4 (75%)	Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Raechel Richards Reserve umpire: Tammy Howard

Sunday 22 June	Queensland Firebirds	50–36	Canterbury Tactix	Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
1:30 pm	Romelda Aiken   16/17 (94%) Janelle Lawson   7/9 (78%) Joanne Morgan   21/22 (95%) Tamsin Greenway   6/10 (60%)	Report	Rachel Dunn   6/7 (86%) Anna Thompson   9/15 (60%) Hayley Stockman   21/24 (88%)	Umpires: Kate Wright Collette Brennan Reserve umpire: Dianne Cocker

Monday 23 June	Northern Mystics	47–41	Southern Steel	North Shore Events Centre
7:00 pm	Paula Griffin   29/39 (74%) Jade Topia   18/22 (82%)	Report	Daneka Wipiiti   24/35 (69%) Julianna Naoupu   12/18 (67%) Megan Dehn   5/8 (63%)	Umpires: Bobbi Brown Mandy Nottingham Reserve umpire: Jonathon Bredin

Monday 23 June	New South Wales Swifts	51–41	Adelaide Thunderbirds	Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
7:00 pm	Catherine Cox   33/39 (85%) Susan Pratley   18/24 (75%)	Report	Kate Beveridge   22/26 (85%) Natalie Medhurst   17/18 (94%) Kristen Hughes   2/4 (50%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Pauline Francisco Reserve umpire: Collette Brennan

Round 13

Saturday 28 June	Northern Mystics	42–28	Central Pulse	North Shore Events Centre
2:30 pm	Paula Griffin   22/31 (71%) Catherine Latu   11/13 (85%) Jade Topia   9/10 (90%)	Report	Susan Tagicakibau   5/10 (50%) Jamilah Gupwell   14/20 (70%) Amber Bellringer   9/16 (56%)	Umpires: Bobbi Brown David Pala'amo Reserve umpire: Bronwyn Meek

Saturday 28 June	Adelaide Thunderbirds	66–47	Queensland Firebirds	ETSA Park
2:00 pm	Kate Beveridge   37/40 (93%) Natalie Medhurst   29/31 (94%)	Report	Romelda Aiken   35/39 (90%) Janelle Lawson   3/6 (50%) Joanne Morgan   9/11 (82%)	Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Rachael Ayre Reserve umpire: Dusty Rea

Sunday 29 June	West Coast Fever	50–44	Canterbury Tactix	Challenge Stadium
11:30 am	Caitlin Bassett   40/48 (83%) Nikala Smith   10/16 (63%)	Report	Rachel Dunn   11/17 (65%) Anna Thompson   17/24 (71%) Hayley Stockman   16/21 (76%)	Umpires: Pauline Francisco Collette Brennan Reserve umpire: Tammy Howard

Monday 30 June	Southern Steel	47–43	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	Stadium Southland
7:00 pm	Daneka Wipiiti   30/44 (68%) Julianna Naoupu   6/9 (67%) Megan Dehn   11/12 (92%)	Report	Irene van Dyk   27/27 (100%) Maria Tutaia   16/24 (67%)	Umpires: Bronwyn Meek Pauline Sciascia Reserve umpire: Jonathon Bredin

Monday 30 June	Melbourne Vixens	49–62	New South Wales Swifts	Vodafone Arena
7:00 pm	Sharelle McMahon   16/23 (70%) Caitlin Thwaites   33/38 (87%)	Report	Catherine Cox   32/41 (78%) Susan Pratley   30/33 (91%)	Umpires: Kate Wright Sharon Kelly Reserve umpire: Raechel Richards

Round 14

Saturday 5 July	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	69–44	Canterbury Tactix	Mystery Creek Events Centre
2:30 pm	Irene van Dyk   33/35 (94%) Maria Tutaia   36/41 (88%)	Report	Rachel Dunn   24/28 (86%) Anna Thompson   16/22 (73%) Hayley Stockman   4/5 (80%)	Umpires: Bobbi Brown Bronwyn Meek Reserve umpire: Pauline Sciascia

Sunday 6 July	Melbourne Vixens	56–47	Northern Mystics	Vodafone Arena
1:30 pm	Sharelle McMahon   17/22 (77%) Caitlin Thwaites   39/48 (81%)		Paula Griffin   23/34 (68%) Catherine Latu   17/21 (81%) Jade Topia   7/9 (78%)	Umpires: Sharon Kelly Rachael Ayre Reserve umpire: Raechel Richards

Sunday 6 July	Southern Steel	54–52	Queensland Firebirds	Edgar Centre
5:30 pm	Daneka Wipiiti   29/41 (71%) Megan Dehn   25/28 (89%)	Report	Romelda Aiken   35/39 (90%) Janelle Lawson   10/13 (77%) Tamsin Greenway   7/13 (54%)	Umpires: Alison Cormack Mandy Nottingham Reserve umpire: Jonathon Bredin

Monday 7 July	Central Pulse	32–44	Adelaide Thunderbirds	Pettigrew Green Arena
7:00 pm	Susan Tagicakibau   12/16 (75%) Jamilah Gupwell   13/20 (65%) Amber Bellringer   7/8 (88%)	Report	Kate Beveridge   27/32 (84%) Natalie Medhurst   12/13 (92%) Melissa Rowland   5/7 (71%)	Umpires: Jonathon Bredin Pauline Sciascia Reserve umpire: Bronwyn Meek

Monday 7 July	West Coast Fever	54–63	New South Wales Swifts	Challenge Stadium
6:00 pm	Caitlin Bassett   46/54 (85%) Nikala Smith   8/9 (89%)	Report	Catherine Cox   34/45 (76%) Susan Pratley   29/34 (85%)	Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Kate Wright Reserve umpire: Tammy Howard

Source:^[5][6]

Final table

2008 ANZ Championship season v t e
	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	G%	Pts
1	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	13	10	0	3	687	599	114.69	20
2	New South Wales Swifts	13	10	0	3	727	652	111.50	20
3	Adelaide Thunderbirds	13	9	0	4	652	577	113.00	18
4	Melbourne Vixens	13	9	0	4	673	620	108.55	18
5	Queensland Firebirds	13	7	0	6	693	645	107.44	14
6	Southern Steel	13	7	0	6	617	616	100.16	14
7	Northern Mystics	13	5	0	8	625	637	98.12	10
8	Canterbury Tactix	13	5	0	8	607	678	89.53	10
9	West Coast Fever ^(Note 3)	13	2	1	10	605	697	86.80	5
10	Central Pulse ^(Note 3)	13	0	1	12	471	636	74.06	1
Updated: 17 February 2021

  Qualified for Major semi-final
  Qualified for Minor semi-final

• Pld = Games played
• W = Win (2 points)
• D = Draw (1 point)
• L = Loss (0 points)
• GF = Goals For (Total goals scored)
• GA = Goals Against (Total goals conceded)
• G% = Goal percentage (= 100 × GF/GA)
• Pts = Points

Notes

• ^3 The Round 10 match between West Coast Fever and Central Pulse was called off due to a stadium leak. The match was declared a draw, with each team receiving one point. Fever were leading 33–16 when the match was called off. The goals scored by each team were included in the final table.

Source:^[2][38][39]

Playoffs

	Semifinals					Preliminary final					Grand final
	13 July										28 July
	1	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	56								New South Wales Swifts		65
	2	New South Wales Swifts	57			21 July					Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic		56
						Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic		51
	14 July					Adelaide Thunderbirds		49
	3	Adelaide Thunderbirds	53
	4	Melbourne Vixens	48

---

Major semi-final

Sunday 13 July 17:30 (UTC+12)		Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	56–57	New South Wales Swifts		Mystery Creek Events Centre Umpires: Jacqui Jashari Bronwyn Meek Reserve umpire: Mandy Nottingham	FOXSports SKYSport
		Scoring by quarter: 15-16, 17-14, 9-17, 15-10
		Irene van Dyk   29/29 (100%) Maria Tutaia   27/34 (79%)		Catherine Cox   41/48 (85%) Susan Pratley   16/19 (84%)

Sources:^[40][41]

---

Minor semi-final

Monday 14 July 16:30 (UTC+9:30)		Adelaide Thunderbirds	53–48	Melbourne Vixens		ETSA Park Umpires: Rachael Ayre Bobbi Brown Reserve umpire: Helen George	FOXSports SKYSport
		Scoring by quarter: 8–16, 16–8, 12–14, 17–10
		Kate Beveridge   38/44 (86%) Natalie Medhurst   15/20 (75%)		Caitlin Thwaites   28/37 (76%) Sharelle McMahon   20/21 (95%)

Sources:^[42][43]

---

Preliminary final

Monday 21 July 19:00 (UTC+12)		Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic	51–49	Adelaide Thunderbirds		Mystery Creek Events Centre Umpires: Sharon Kelly Bronwyn Meek Reserve umpire: Bobbi Brown	FOXSports SKYSport
		Scoring by quarter: 17–14, 12–11, 12–11, 10–13
		Irene van Dyk   31/32 (97%) Maria Tutaia   20/23 (87%)		Kate Beveridge   29/34 (85%) Natalie Medhurst   20/22 (91%)

Sources:^[44]

---

Grand final

Monday 28 July 19:00 (UTC+10)		New South Wales Swifts	65–56	Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic		Acer Arena Attendance: 12,999 Umpires: Sharon Kelly Bronwyn Meek Reserve umpire: Jacqui Jashari	FOXSports SKYSport
		Scoring by quarter: 19-14, 15-14, 16-17, 15-11
		Catherine Cox   41/46 (89%) Susan Pratley   24/30 (80%)		Irene van Dyk   45/46 (98%) Maria Tutaia   11/15 (73%)

Sources:^{[23][35][45][46][47]}

Award winners

ANZ Championship awards

Award	Winner	Team
Most Valuable Player^[48]	Romelda Aiken ^(Note 2)	Queensland Firebirds
Most Valuable Player^[48]	Sonia Mkoloma ^(Note 2)	Central Pulse
Grand final MVP^[35]	Catherine Cox	New South Wales Swifts

Notes

• ^2 Romelda Aiken and Sonia Mkoloma shared the MVP Award

Australian Netball Awards

Award	Winner	Team
Liz Ellis Diamond^[49]^[50]	Mo'onia Gerrard	Adelaide Thunderbirds
Australian ANZ Championship Player of the Year	Catherine Cox	New South Wales Swifts
Australian ANZ Championship Coach of the Year	Julie Fitzgerald	New South Wales Swifts

Sources:^[4][51]

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