Commentator’s Call: who is putting their hand up for Finals?

In this week’s Commentator’s Call, SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods takes a look at who is putting their hand up for the Finals Series, and believes we’ll need to flip a coin to pick a winner in one Round 7 match it’s that close!

Halfway through the ANZ Premiership, and the ladder gives a clear picture of where the teams are at, now each has played seven games.The Finals Series will be contested by the top three come the end of June, and right now there are four teams with their hands up.

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel is head and shoulders above the pack.The SKYCITY Mystics have come closest to the southerners but that was in their Round 2 encounter when they lost by 7. The Steel put 20 goals on them at the weekend, stamping their mark in every area of the court.

The Silvermoon Tactix and Northern Stars are the strugglers.The former’s situation has been well-documented, while the newest team in the country is still finding its feet.

That leaves most interest on the battle between the WBOP Magic, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and Mystics. As things stand, one of these isn’t going to make the Finals, but which one is hard to tell.The Pulse have beaten the Mystics twice, the Magic have beaten the Pulse twice, and the Mystics have beaten the Magic.

The return clash between the northern neighbours comes in this round in Hamilton.The Mystics bounced back against the Tactix on Wednesday rattling up their highest score of the league. They needed to, after successive losses to the Pulse and the Steel. The Magic pulled off a one goal thriller over the Pulse in Round 6. The WBOP shooting circle of Lenize Potgeiter and Monica Falkner held their nerve against the rampant defence of Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka.

They’ll have to repeat that performance if they’re to turn the tables on the Mystics. Anna Harrison is at her marauding best this year, far outstripping any other player in the competition when it comes to intercepts. What cost the Magic in Round 4 was a lousy second quarter which they lost 21-12.The Mystics on the other hand will want Maria Tutaia and Bailey Mes to repeat the sort of performance they put out against the Tactix, but will be well aware Casey Kopua and company are a tougher proposition.

This will be the game of the round … with the Mystics in particular, needing the points.

Before that game on Wednesday night, comes another big ask for the Tactix.They head to Dunedin on Sunday afternoon to face the Steel for a second time.Things didn’t go so well for them in Round 4, but there is some good news for the Tactix.

Ellie Bird made her debut in Wednesday night’s loss to the Mystics, and her impact was immediate.The 24-year-old came on half way through the third quarter and shot 22/25.At 1.94m, Bird offers the Tactix a target, and there’s no surprise Marianne Delaney-Hoshek has elevated her from the Beko Netball League.

The Stars travel to Wellington to take on the Pulse on Monday night.Captain Leana de Bruin is a constant performer for this South Auckland side, but she needs others to stand up around her.There are signs of improvement from the likes of Maia Wilson and Kayla Cullen, but more is needed. Jess Taane has come into the side to replace the injured Afa Rusivakula.She’s an experienced hand, having had time playing in the UK Superleague since playing for the Magic in the Trans-Tasman Netball League as Jess Waitapu.

Likely winners for the round … Steel, Pulse … and ….. flip a coin!