Commentator’s Call: The Good, the Getting Better and the Question Mark

A few things are becoming clear.

The Pulse are very good, the Steel and Tactix are pretty good, the Mystics are getting better, the Stars just need some luck and there’s a big question mark hanging over the Magic.

The Pulse made short work of the Magic in Round 3 with a 15-goal demolition. The frustration was oozing out of Casey Kopua post-match, saying the Magic strayed from the gameplan.

A refreshing feature of this season has been the post-match honesty coming from captains and coaches. For too long, much of the opinion has been rather saccharine, and while it shouldn’t go too far in the other direction, franker insights are welcome.

The Tactix’ comeback to beat the Stars at the death, shows they’re far from the easy beats of the past. They sit in the top half of the ladder with the Pulse and the Steel.

The clash in Invercargill between the Steel and the Mystics was a boomer. The southerners held on 56-52, showing their trademark ability to absorb pressure. But the Mystics will take heart, improving with every game, and picking up a bonus point to sit mid-table.

The Magic will be targeting the Stars in the opening game of Round 4. They have one solitary bonus point so far and need to sort themselves out. Lenize Potgieter was back last week, but didn’t look herself despite shooting 40/43.

The Mystics will want to continue their improvement and avenge their Round 1 loss to the Tactix, when they meet in Christchurch on Monday night.

The top of the table clash between the Pulse and the Steel is a tasty prospect to end the round. The Pulse has snatched the Steel’s unbeaten crown from 2017 and wears it rather well. It won’t be given up without a fight.