MATCH PREVIEW: (Round 11) STEEL v TACTIX

TEAM NEWS:

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel was in record-breaking form last week and towards the business end of the season continues to impress.

They will be out for redemption against the Silvermoon Tactix after falling to them by one goal when they last met in Round 8. And on the back of a 16-goal win over the Waikato-BOP Magic – where they netted the highest score of the ANZ Premiership to date – the run home for the Steel puts them in a good position for the finals series.

With captain Wendy Frew having already announced her retirement at the end of this campaign, the Steel will want to send one of their most loyal servants out with back-to-back titles. Watch out for wing defence Kate Heffernan who came off the bench to replace Frew and impressed with a clutch of key touches.

The Tactix were in the hunt against the ANZ Premiership leaders last week but the pressure up front took its toll in a telling fourth quarter. They have a tough run home if they are to reach the finals series for the first time and a trip to the Deep South will test their mettle.

WHO TO WATCH:

Jennifer O’Connell (Steel) – she is a player to watch every week and it was hard to take eyes of the Steel sharp-shooter last week when she landed 53 of her 55 attempts at goal. Is sitting at 85 percent accuracy for her 461 attempts at goal this season.

Courtney Elliott (Steel) versus Ellie Bird (Tactix) – the Steel defender has made an impact in the second half of the season but her court time was limited last week with what looked like calf issues. She will need every ounce of her leaping ability against the height of Bird.

Charlotte Elley (Tactix) – the New Zealand Under-21 player has quietly gone about her work this season and earned her spot at wing defence. Combines well with the star in-circle duo of Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau.