Tim Pusey won the third night of the 2026 ANZ Premier League, defeating compatriot Mal Cuming 5-4 in a thrilling final at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena. The Australian moved into the top four of the standings with his victory, which was his second nightly title in the competition after he also came out on top in Wellington last year.
Pusey had to dig deep to secure the win, needing a deciding ninth leg in both the quarter-finals and the final. A successful double 10 eventually earned him the A$1,000 top prize and five valuable points in the standings. "I'm on top of the world. The crowd loved it and I loved it," Pusey said afterwards. "It was very tight, but they lifted me up and I got there in the end."
The Australian began his night with a hard-fought win over Ben Robb, missing three match darts before eventually sealing the victory. Raymond Smith, who had started the third night at the top of the standings, awaited him in the semi-finals. That match was another tough test, but Pusey came out on top once again, booking his place in the final against Cuming.
Cuming also enjoyed a successful night, reaching the final of an ANZ Premier League night for the first time in his third appearance. He opened with a convincing 5-2 win over Jonny Tata, then produced a standout result in the semi-finals, thrashing defending champion Simon Whitlock 5-0. Whitlock had beaten Brody Klinge 5-3 earlier in the evening, but never found his rhythm against Cuming.
Raymond Smith also reached the semi-finals, surviving a scare in his quarter-final against Joe Comito. Comito had three match darts but failed to take any of them, allowing Smith to snatch a 5-4 win. It was Comito's tenth consecutive defeat in the ANZ Premier League. After three nights, both he and Brody Klinge are still waiting for their first win.
Pusey's win in Melbourne has brought him firmly into the battle for a place on finals night. The next night takes place in Auckland on Friday, the only event this season to be held in New Zealand. The matches will be played at the Te Paepae Theatre, part of the recently opened New Zealand International Convention Centre. For Pusey, it will be a return to the country where he claimed his first ANZ Premier League nightly title last year. "I can't wait for Auckland. I won in New Zealand last year, so let's do it again. I think the crowd likes me more than the Kiwis!" the Australian joked.
In the quarter-finals on the fourth night, Pusey will face Brody Klinge. Ben Robb and Simon Whitlock will also meet, while Mal Cuming takes on Raymond Smith. Jonny Tata faces Joe Comito.
Results: ANZ Premier League, Night 3
Simon Whitlock 5-3 Brody Klinge (QF)
Mal Cuming 5-2 Jonny Tata (QF)
Tim Pusey 5-4 Ben Robb (QF)
Raymond Smith 5-4 Joe Comito (QF)
Mal Cuming 5-0 Simon Whitlock (SF)
Tim Pusey 5-3 Raymond Smith (SF)
Tim Pusey 5-4 Mal Cuming (FINAL)
ANZ Premier League standings after 3 of 5 nights
1. Raymond Smith - 1 nightly title, 5 matches won, +8 leg difference, 9 points
2. Tim Pusey - 1, 5, +4, 8
3. Mal Cuming - 0, 4, +8, 7
4. Jonny Tata - 1, 3, -3, 5
5. Simon Whitlock - 0, 2, -7, 4
6. Ben Robb - 0, 2, 0, 3
7. Brody Klinge - 0, 0, -5, 0
8. Joe Comito - 0, 0, -5, 0
