Proven performers add to Mystics formidable line-up
After breaking new ground last year, the MG Mystics find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they set about reinforcing their credentials and securing back-to-back titles.
It took 14 years of the semi-professional era before the Mystics landed their first silverware during a history-making 2021 season and their stocks have been significantly boosted for further success in this year’s edition.
The return of defenders Phoenix Karaka (pregnancy) and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, who has had a wretched run with injury, a fulltime contract for reliable midcourter Claire O’Brien and the injection of talented shooter Monica Falkner adds further clout to the stable core of returning players.
With the continued presence of Sulu Fitzpatrick, Peta Toeava and shooting phenomenon Grace Nweke, the Mystics have depth, experience and proven performers across the court.
“It was really important to retain our key figures for stability,” Mystics coach Helene Wilson said.
“Now, it’s exciting that on any given day, anyone of our players can take the court and we know they can perform at ANZ level which adds another dimension of healthy competition and hopefully will drive performance within our training environment.
“This year we’ll definitely have a target on our back and we’ve talked about holding true to what worked for us last year, but at the same time, there’s the fact that what we did last year won’t be good enough.
“The reality is that the competition has got better every year and it’s got more competitive every year, so if you don’t strive to be better, I don’t think you’ll win year-on-year, it’s too hard.”
One significant shift Wilson has noticed with the Mystics players in recent times is the mindset where they have gone from hoping to win the ANZ Premiership to having a belief that they can win it.
“As a result, our training this year has started at a different level because they know they can do it now and they know that they still need to be better, so that belief’s a really powerful driver for change and it’s really cool to see that growth in them,” she said.
Major challenges Wilson has worked on during the lead-in have focused on the complexities of a compact season which include, the early start to 2022, double-headers and having four players away with the Silver Ferns for a lengthy spell.
After a successful first season together, Wilson is delighted to have Rob Wright back as her assistant.
“Our strengths are so very different,” she said.
“You can’t be the best at everything as a coach, there’s so many different areas of coaching that you need to be able to contribute and I think that’s why it works so well.
“Having Rob has enabled another set of eyes and expertise to shift the skillset of what we want to do. The skillset that Rob has and the way he sees the game is really different to mine, being an Australian coach versus a New Zealand coach. The merging of brains is even more exciting in the second year to see what we can achieve.
“The other exciting thing about having Rob is that he’s a bloke and he brings a totally different way of delivering the messages of coaching which has been really healthy in our environment. His sense of humour and banter brings a lot of fun into our environment.”