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]

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 Stats	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%)	Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Stats	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 Stats	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  ?	Report 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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Report Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Stats	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%)	Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Report Stats	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%)	Stats	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%)	Report Stats	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%)	Stats	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%)	Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Report Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Report Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Report Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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%)	Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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 Stats	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

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

56

New South Wales Swifts

65

New South Wales Swifts

57

21 July

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

56

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

51

14 July

Adelaide Thunderbirds

49

Adelaide Thunderbirds

53

Melbourne Vixens

48

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Major semi-final

Sunday 13 July 17:30 (UTC+12)	Stats	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]

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Minor semi-final

Monday 14 July 16:30 (UTC+9:30)	Stats	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]

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Preliminary final

Monday 21 July 19:00 (UTC+12)	Stats	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]

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Grand final

Monday 28 July 19:00 (UTC+10)	Stats	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]