MATCH PREVIEW (R8): STEEL v TACTIX

TEAM NEWS:

The Silvermoon Tactix will be desperate to get that winning feeling again having lost the last five on the trot. A horror first quarter proved costly against the Northern Stars and the jitters up front continue to haunt them. Captain Jane Watson said their passing placement last week was “just not good enough”. She said the “silly personal errors” including fumbling the ball, pass placement, stepping and breaking needed to be addressed if the Tactix wanted to reverse the one-goal loss they suffered to the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel two weeks ago. The Tactix have shown each week they have the ability to slash any deficit, thanks to some impressive defensive efforts, but will need a better start against a Steel side also reeling from a loss. “You like to be in that fight and coming out on top, which we need to get back to,” Watson said. “We left it until the second half (against the Stars) and we just can’t do that.” It is a fast turnaround for the Steel – who suffered a bonus point loss last week – but they have the advantage of being at home for their next two outings and they will want to fine-tune their game against the Tactix with a key match-up against the Central Pulse looming.

WHO TO WATCH:

Shannon Francois (Steel) – a true workhorse through the middle for the Steel with a high number of feeds into the shooting circle and a strong defensive game against the Mystics in Round 7.

Kate Beveridge (Tactix) versus Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (Steel) – the Tactix are struggling to find their best combination in the shooting circle and will be hoping import Beveridge can re-find form to lead her side back into the winners’ circle.

Charlotte Elley (Tactix) – gets better with every outing including a match-up with the Silver Fern incumbent last week. Another big test against the Steel’s go-to-girl on attack in Gina Crampton.