ANZ Premiership Preview – Round 7

Northern Mystics v The Good Oil Tactix
Sunday, April 7 in Auckland

TEAM NEWS:

It was hard to wipe the smiles off the faces of the Northern Mystics team and management after they nailed their first win of the ANZ Premiership season. And now the northerners will be feeling confident they can ride that form against The Good Oil Tactix when they meet in Auckland. Only four goals separated these two teams when they met last month but it was the Tactix who were in control for much of the match. The Mystics however have finally shown they can come from behind to win and captain Phoenix Karaka said the consistency and support play was key in their victory over the Magic. “We really worked as a team,” the defender said. “All seven players attacked, all seven players defended.” Karaka said they focused on the “small things” and stuck to the game plan. “It was hard but we know what it tastes like now, so we just need to keep going.” The Tactix will be eyeing up a third win of the season but captain Jane Watson said her side must cut down on their “basic errors” if they are to add to their tally. “We’ve got good structures, we know they’re there and we’re producing that for some of the game,” she said. “We just need to look after that ball and make sure we’re doing all the little things well.”

WHO TO WATCH:
Samon Nathan (Tactix) – the wing is making the most of her opportunities in the Tactix side and forming a strong combination with her shooters.

Jane Watson (Tactix) versus Grace Nweke (Mystics) – it’s hard not to mention the Mystics’ teenage sensation as she has the ability to change the game for her side. The Tactix will have to put the work in outside the circle if they are to help Watson shut down Nweke.

Bailey Mes (Mystics) – it has been a tough start to the ANZ Premiership for the Mystics shooter who has struggled with accuracy. Had one of her strongest games on the season last week and is still one of the most aerial and athletic players on court.

Northern Stars v Splice Construction Magic
Monday, April 8 in Auckland

TEAM NEWS:
The Splice Construction Magic’s finals hopes took a serious blow with the loss to the Northern Mystics last week but captain Casey Kopua hopes her side learns from that disappointment. The Magic have shown an ability to build a lead but holding onto it has proven a harder task and ultimately costly last week. “The only way we can learn is by experiences like that as long as we learn and go forward,” Kopua said. Ten goals was the difference when the two sides met in Tauranga in Round 5 when the Stars produced a rampant third quarter to put the game beyond doubt. Both teams are coming into this game on the back of disappointing losses and how they can pick themselves up will be telling. Stars captain Leana de Bruin was most frustrated by her team’s inability to perform the basics against the competition leaders last week. “We didn’t execute anything that we talked about,” she said. “It was the basics that we didn’t do well.” The defender said she hoped the Stars would learn the lessons from the heavy loss and take a “look at ourselves”. “We know that we can play a lot better than that, so it’s really disappointing,” de Bruin said.

WHO TO WATCH:

Northern Mystics v The Good Oil Tactix
Sunday, April 7 in Auckland

TEAM NEWS:
It was hard to wipe the smiles off the faces of the Northern Mystics team and management after they nailed their first win of the ANZ Premiership season. And now the northerners will be feeling confident they can ride that form against The Good Oil Tactix when they meet in Auckland. Only four goals separated these two teams when they met last month but it was the Tactix who were in control for much of the match. The Mystics however have finally shown they can come from behind to win and captain Phoenix Karaka said the consistency and support play was key in their victory over the Magic. “We really worked as a team,” the defender said. “All seven players attacked, all seven players defended.” Karaka said they focused on the “small things” and stuck to the game plan. “It was hard but we know what it tastes like now, so we just need to keep going.” The Tactix will be eyeing up a third win of the season but captain Jane Watson said her side must cut down on their “basic errors” if they are to add to their tally. “We’ve got good structures, we know they’re there and we’re producing that for some of the game,” she said. “We just need to look after that ball and make sure we’re doing all the little things well.”

WHO TO WATCH:
Samon Nathan (Tactix) – the wing is making the most of her opportunities in the Tactix side and forming a strong combination with her shooters.

Jane Watson (Tactix) versus Grace Nweke (Mystics) – it’s hard not to mention the Mystics’ teenage sensation as she has the ability to change the game for her side. The Tactix will have to put the work in outside the circle if they are to help Watson shut down Nweke.

Bailey Mes (Mystics) – it has been a tough start to the ANZ Premiership for the Mystics shooter who has struggled with accuracy. Had one of her strongest games on the season last week and is still one of the most aerial and athletic players on court.

Northern Stars v Splice Construction Magic
Monday, April 8 in Auckland

TEAM NEWS:
The Splice Construction Magic’s finals hopes took a serious blow with the loss to the Northern Mystics last week but captain Casey Kopua hopes her side learns from that disappointment. The Magic have shown an ability to build a lead but holding onto it has proven a harder task and ultimately costly last week. “The only way we can learn is by experiences like that as long as we learn and go forward,” Kopua said. Ten goals was the difference when the two sides met in Tauranga in Round 5 when the Stars produced a rampant third quarter to put the game beyond doubt. Both teams are coming into this game on the back of disappointing losses and how they can pick themselves up will be telling. Stars captain Leana de Bruin was most frustrated by her team’s inability to perform the basics against the competition leaders last week. “We didn’t execute anything that we talked about,” she said. “It was the basics that we didn’t do well.” The defender said she hoped the Stars would learn the lessons from the heavy loss and take a “look at ourselves”. “We know that we can play a lot better than that, so it’s really disappointing,” de Bruin said.

WHO TO WATCH:
Kelsey McPhee (Magic) – looking more at home on court for the Magic showing a strong hold and accuracy in the shooting circle. Maintaining her presence on court for four quarters is key for the rookie shooter.

Leana de Bruin (Stars) versus Monica Falkner (Magic) – the Stars captain was a picture of disappointment after last week’s loss and will be fired up in a bid to return to the winners’ circle. Plenty rests on the young shoulders of Falkner who often steers the Magic ship up front.

Maia Wilson (Stars) – has put up the most attempts at goal in the ANZ Premiership but found herself somewhat shut out of the game last week. Another tough ask against Magic’s Kelly Jury.

Ascot Park Hotel Steel v Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse
Wednesday, April 11 in Dunedin

TEAM NEWS:
Will the Ascot Park Hotel Steel be able to find something different to turn the tables on the unbeaten Te Wānanga o RaukawaPulse? They lost by four goals when they met last month but will have home advantage with the game to be played in Dunedin. The Steel were in dominant form during Super Sunday particularly defender Abby Erwood who will need to back it up against Pulse playmaker Ameliaranne Ekenasio. There are intriguing match-ups across the court including the dependable centres from either side. Both Claire Kersten (Pulse) and Shannon Saunders (Steel) are unflappable and provide a crucial link from defence to attack. Saunders has been effective up front for the Steel and is third on the ladder for circle feeds this season. The Pulse will be buoyant after an emphatic win over the Northern Stars a week ago and have shown few chinks in an impressive armour. Captain Katrina Rore said the 26-goal victory was a “win for each other”. “We’re not a bunch of individuals,” she said. “We’re enjoying our netball, we’re enjoying each other’s company, we’re enjoying training and that transfers onto the court.” Opponents must be wondering just how many more gears the Pulse can find during the second half of the ANZ Premiership.

WHO TO WATCH:
Gina Crampton (Steel) – must be a frontrunner for the wing attack spot at the World Cup and faces another opportunity to push her claim with an expected tough tussle against Karin Burger.

Abby Erwood (Steel) versus Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Pulse) – the Pulse goal attack gets a mention most weeks as she reaches new levels every time she takes the court. Erwood goes about her work with little fuss but has stood out in recent weeks and combining well with Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit.

Sulu Fitzpatrick (Pulse) – did her job last week in shutting down influential shooter Maia Wilson and faces another tough international in Lenize Potgieter.