Well-credentialled Tactix ready to reap the rewards

With the least number of changes across all teams, consistency of selection is looming as a key attribute for The Good Oil Tactix as they bid for a first-ever title in 2021.

A settled and well-drilled Tactix were the beaten finalists in their first attempt last year but with just the one change after securing athletic and dogged Silver Ferns defender Karin Burger in the off-season, the team from the Garden City shapes as an impressive unit.

“There’s heaps of benefits with having a settled line-up because you can build on what you already have done, so people know the systems, they know the culture and all those invisible little threads you build over time,” Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said.

“I just felt there was a real purpose the first time we got on court at the start of pre-season. They came in, they knew the routines and you read a lot of things about that… cultures that have worked well don’t have much change to them, so yes, it is a bonus.”

With Ellie Bird and Te Paea Selby-Rickit growing a productive combination at the shooting end, an explosive defensive line of Jane Watson, Burger and Charlotte Elley and the creativity provide by midcourters Erikana Pedersen and Kimiora Poi, there’s a lot to be excited about for the coach.

In terms of game play, things won’t change too much for the Tactix but Delaney-Hoshek wants a more decisive start to the season after describing their early form last year as ‘up and down’ and that includes improved decision-making.

“Obviously, last year, we made it all the way and then didn’t quite make it (in the grand final), so now it’s about nailing it when it matters,” she said.

“We played a lot of good netball on the way. You have that experience in the finals and you want to do better.

“We’ve got a good style now because we’re quite adaptable and we’re building quite thinking players, so we’re able to do quite a few styles of defence and the key is the learning when you’re out there. When’s a good time to change and things like that.

“We’ve been building up these athletes over the years and we’ve got to a point with some of them where they’re making really good decisions out there, so we just keep building on our structures. You’ve got to have a few new things in your back pocket to compete. We can’t just rely on last year, this is a new year and we’ve got to work hard.

“Everyone’s working hard, there’s been a real purpose in our trainings and an intensity that we haven’t had before so people have come in well in knowing what’s required.”

While the obvious goal for the Tactix is to go one better than last season, Delaney-Hoshek is aware of the importance of not looking too far ahead.

“We’ll be keeping our heads down, doing the basics and putting in the work. It’s about all the work that you do. If we live to our values and work as hard as possible, then things will look good,” she said.

With vastly new-look line-ups, Delaney-Hoshek is keeping a watchful eye on the Magic and Steel.