MATCH PREVIEW (R3): STEEL v MYSTICS

These two teams opened the ANZ Premiership just two weeks ago when the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel overwhelmed the SKYCITY Mystics in the first half. But Mystics captain Anna Harrison believes her charges have improved since that initial outing which showed in their win over the Northern Stars last week. “It was good to get the win under the belt and we’ve just got to keep tracking up,” she said. “You don’t want to get into a losing streak; you want to know what it feels like to win. So we’ve got one now and we just need to keep building on it.” Steel captain Wendy Frew also wants her charges to keep building and was disappointed with some aspects of their game despite beating the Waikato-BOP Magic in Round 2. “I think we’re making a few errors out there and our turnovers were pretty high so we just need to come back to the basics and do our job well out there.” Frew said they were playing a new attacking style this year which was still a “work-on” for them after two rounds.

WHO TO WATCH:

Shannon Francois (Steel) – a foot injury has hampered the Silver Ferns mid-courter in recent weeks but she still managed to run out three quarters last week. Slowly building a combination with shooter Jennifer O’Connell.

Jennifer O’Connell (Steel) versus Anna Harrison (Mystics) – the young Steel shooter played just 30 minutes the last time these two teams met but had an impressive opener against the Mystics captain. Getting the upper hand could play a major role in the fortunes of their team.

Phoenix Karaka (Mystics) – the defender has been finding her groove on the wing and looked well settled against the Stars with her long reach outside the circle often disrupting the flow up front. Could be a good match-up for Steel attacker Gina Crampton.