Match Preview: Steel v Magic
TEAM NEWS:
The ANZ Premiership’s two unbeaten teams come together but the hosts take an edge into the match with their fans a well-known factor for opposition to deal with.
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel captain Wendy Frew said it would be nice to head home to play in front of their ardent supporters.
“It will be great to get home amongst the fans, they’ve had two weeks to watch on TV so we’re hoping they’ll get behind us and get into Stadium Southland on Monday night.”
Both captains believe the intensity lifted across the board in the second round and expectations are this match will go to yet another level.
The Steel shooting circle was given a tough workout against the long limbs of Anna Harrison last week and will be put through its paces again with Casey Kopua and Kelly Jury the in-form defensive unit.
Kopua says it will be “jump city” against Jhaniele Fowler-Reid in a much anticipated match-up against one of the league’s most accurate shooters.
Taking ball from the southerners however is a tall ask for any opponent with the Steel well-known for mistake-free netball.They kept their turnovers to just 16 last week and show plenty of patience when on attack.
WHO TO WATCH:
Gina Crampton (Steel) – the quiet achiever in a star-studded Steel front line has a safe pair of hands and is quick off the line for the centre pass.She has seven Test Caps to her name and continues to improve her game.
Ariana Cable-Dixon (Magic) versus Shannon Francois (Steel) – the apprentice and the master go head-to-head in Invercargill.Cable-Dixon, who has stepped into the Magic squad as injury cover, has been the talk of the league to date with a mix of confidence and flair in her game.Both players possess speed and great vision into their shooters.
Casey Kopua (Magic) – she may have announced her retirement from the international arena but the Magic captain continues to show she is returning to the top of her game.She picked up four intercepts against the Central Pulse and her combination with Kelly Jury is imposing.
HOW TO WATCH:
NZ-based fans can tune into SKY Sport 1 and FanPass to catch all the action live from 7.30pm. International fans (outside NZ) can watch all the action live on the ANZ Premiership Facebook page. Monday night Netball will also be live on Radio Sport.