PASSING the midpoint of the season, expect Round 6 of the ANZ Premiership to deliver plenty of excitement and close games once again. The Central Pulse sit pretty atop of the ladder with six wins straight while the Northern Mystics, Northern Stars and Mainland Tactix continue to battle it out for a position in the top three.

Northern Mystics v. Northern Stars
Friday, 17 July

The top three clash between the second placed Mystics and third placed Stars will draw plenty of attention as they both hope to edge closer to the top of the table Pulse. The Stars have started to hit their straps in recent weeks finding their rhythm in attack while the Mystics have proved they have the explosivity to change the course of a game instantly.

Boasting one of the strongest defensive units in the league Sulu Fitzpatrick and Phoenix Karaka will have their work cut out for them. The duo combine seamlessly in the goal circle to confuse the space, apply physical pressure and gobble up any errant pass that comes their way but will have to be on song from the opening minute of the quarter to upset the Stars shooting combo. Northern Stars goal shooter Maia Wilson has grown with confidence throughout season 2020 and will have to ensure That she is on her a game against both Karaka and Fitzpatrick. Wilson can shoot from just about anywhere in the circle given her range, accuracy and she dominance under the post. But in order for the Stars to get on top in this contest it will be up to Jamie Hume to stand up and deliver and take some of the pressure off Wilson under the post. If Hume can break free and provide an option whether it be in the circle or in the attacking third she will force Karaka and Fitzpatrick to come out and pay attention to her, leaving Wilson alone one on one under the post where she is most damaging.

Through the mid court the Mystics have one of the strongest and quickest players in the league with Peta Toeava able to slice through the defence credit to her impressive vision and spatial awareness. Her work at the transverse line is just as is just as impressive able to burst out at the centre pass and turn and deliver into the goal circle within seconds. Her connection with Tayla Earle in centre is another key element for the Mystics as the two are able to create space in the attacking third to keep the defenders guessing. Up the other end wing attack Grace Kara is one of the most experienced players in the stars line-up for the Stars. It will be up to Kara to lead the attacking third with her quick ball movement, strength around the circle edge and clever ball placement while Mila Reuelu-Buchanan is another key cog in centre with her drive and defensive tenacity.

With a host of key players across the court for both sides it will ultimately come down to whether or not the northern Mystics defensive unit can shut down the attacking prowess of Wilson under the post.

Central Pulse v. Northern Mystics
Saturday, 18 July

With an undefeated record still intact the Central Pulse will be keen to ensure that they make it seven wins in a row in a battle of one versus two. In their second game of the round and the Northern Mystics will be hoping to prove that they have developed since the last time these two sides met and claim the first victory against the Pulse in 2020.

After not starting Grace Nweke last week expect the Northern Mystics to pull out all the stops and start the 18-year-old goal shooter given her shooting prowess, accuracy under the post and high volume of shots. Nweke is in a league of her own able to reel in a wealth of passes and dictate the space with her clever body positioning, angles and fancy footwork to maintain front position. However if the Mystics are to get the wood over the Pulse they will need both Saviour Tui and Asher Grapes to stand up to the Pulse defensive unit and give them something to think about. Grapes has struggled for accuracy and volume in the past couple of weeks while Tui has shown that she is more than capable of sinking them from range and delivering when the pressure is on. For the Pulse they have no shortage of options when it comes to defence with Kelly Jury having one of her best seasons to date and Katrina Rore proving why she is considered a world class athlete. Jury is a menace in the air able to create timely tips and turnovers with her long reach and quick footwork to manoeuvre around the body of her opponent. Similarly Rore is able to detect when to double down on the gold shooter or when to focus on the goal attack something that the Pulse will have to be aware of throughout the contest against the Mystics.

The shooting combination between Aliyah Dunn and Ameliaranne Ekenasio is one of the most damaging connections in ANZ competition with the two able to slice through the defence with ease while their accuracy hardly ever falters. Dunn is prolific under the post, holding her space with ease and commanding the ball while Ekenasio is not afraid of the contest constantly throwing her body on the line and absorbing the hits. Ekenasio is a real playmaker for the Pulse able to dish the ball off to Dunn on a silver platter or go to post herself such is her dominance. Up against the tried and tested duo of Fitzpatrick and Karaka the Pulse will have to be smart with how they deliver the ball into the circle with both defenders renowned for their aerial presence. In recent weeks the injection of Tiana Metuarau has worked wonders for the Pulse with the youngster bringing a sense of vibrancy and enthusiasm into the goal circle, something they might look at implementing again this round to break through the pressure of Fitzpatrick and Karaka.

Fatigue could be a huge factor for the Mystics playing back to back games and up against quality opposition that is well oiled in both attack and defence.

Central Pulse v. Mainland Tactix
Sunday, 19 July

Fronting up from a big clash the night before the Mainland Tactix will be hoping to capitalise on the Pulse and exploit any potential fatigue they might have. Expect the Pulse to look to the bench to inject some speed and stability while the Tactix will be hoping to get on top early against the Pulse and keep their foot on the throat, something they have struggled to do the last couple of games. The last time these two sides met the Pulse racked up a convincing 12-goal victory but the Tactix have come a long way since Round 1.

With speed to burn through the midcourt the Pulse will be hoping that Maddy Gordon imposes herself from the opening minutes of the quarter with her lightning fast hands, nifty footwork, strength around circle edge and dynamic change of pace to open up space in the attacking third for the Pulse. Partner-in-crime and centre Claire Kirsten will also have to be on her a-game if she is to nullified the influence of Tactix speedster Kimiora Poi throughout the game. It will be an intriguing battle between Kersten and Poi as the two are renowned for their gut running and more defensive minded play. In recent weeks Charlotte Elley has proven that she has the skill and stamina to stick with the likes of Gordon throughout the four quarters making for an exciting contest between the youngsters. If Elley can get on top early and shut down Gordon’s leads in attack it will go a long way in giving the Tactix the upper hand.

For the Tactix to get on top both Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Ellie Bird will have to share the load in the gold circle to keep the Pulse constantly guessing. When Bird is covered at the post the Tactix have struggled to find their rhythm in attack and are forced to play the ball around which plays right into the hands of the Pulse given their tenacity and impressive vision to snatch up intercepts. Bird is strong at the post and will want to assert herself from the get-go while Selby-Rickit has a tendency to fade in and out of games and relies on confidence to have an impact. If Rore, Jury and the likes of Karin Burger out in wing defence and Elle Temu can get in her head early and offset her rhythm it will go a long way for the Pulse.

There is no denying that both teams have a plethora of players that can change the game instantaneously however it is the strength on the bench for the Pulse that gives them that edge, able to bring on a player at any given moment and know they will have a profound impact.

Southern Steel v. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
Sunday, 19 July

In their only game of the round Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic will be keen to secure that elusive win after falling victim to two draws in the past two rounds. The Southern Steel have been hit by injury and will have their work cut out for them against a hungry Magic side, determined to get reward for their effort.

The Magic frontline starred last week with Kelsey McPhee upping the ante under the post and growing with confidence as the round went on. Her clever movement in the goal circle and fancy footwork allowed her to dictate the space while partner in crime Abigail Latu-Meafou stepped up to the plate with her hard drives into the circle and impressive timing. The two combined seamlessly and put up a high volume of shots something they will have to emulate again this round against the Steel. One of the most experienced players on the court, Te Huinga Selby-Rickit will have to impose herself early, to throw the Magic off in attack and win back possession. It will also be up to Taneisha Fifita to ensure she stays in play and can apply pressure over the shot while Abby Erwood is a solid option in defence with her tagging style of play to wear opponents down.

The midcourt battle will generate plenty of excitement with Silver Ferns aplenty running through the centre third. Sam Winders impressed in centre last week, relishing the extra court space and providing a real spark for the Magic in attack with her slick hands and excellent delivery into the circle. Her match-up whether it be against Shannon Saunders in centre or Gina Crampton in wing attack will be enthralling with neither midcourt player willing to take a backwards step. It will be up to Crampton and Saunders to lead the Steel in attack given the injuries and fresh faces. Fellow Magic midcourters Ariana Cable-Dixon and Whitney Souness are also key cogs in the frontline able to inject speed and create headaches for the opposition.

Given the fight and determination in recent weeks the Magic should have the upper hand but do not discount the Steel with ball winners across the court.

Southern Steel v. Mainland Tactix
Monday, 20 July

In the final game of the round and second match for both teams the Mainland Tactix will be fighting to keep in touch with the top three while the Steel will be hoping to notch up their second win of the season.

The new Steel shooting combination will be well and truly tested coming up against one of the competitions biggest powerhouses in Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau. The Tactix defenders have been in ripping form with their profound aerial presence and ability to spring into action within the blink of an eye. The two combine seamlessly and know each other’s game inside out to read the play and gather the loose ball time and time again. Their pressure over the shot is second to none meaning the likes of Kalifa McCollin, youngster Kiana Pelasio and potentially Grace Namana will have their work cut out for them. Although Namana showed plenty of promise with her strong holds in the few minutes she was on court it will ultimately be up to McCollin to stand up and deliver to the post.

The Tactix have a stacked midcourt with Poi leading the way but it is the influence of Erikana Pedersen that has caused headaches for the opposition. Coming off an MVP performance the wing attack is silky smooth around circle edge with her quick hands and good vision to feed into the likes of Bird and Selby-Rickit. Samon Nathan is another solid option through the midcourt for the Tactix with her speed and spatial awareness. Boasting plenty of experience the developing Kate Heffernan will have to be on her a-game to nullify Pedersen or Nathan while Kendall Corkery is known for her niggle in defence, something the Steel might need to limit the ease in attack for the Tactix.

With a weakened shooting combination the Steel might find it difficult to pass through the defensive barrier of the Mainland Tactix given just how strong their defence is.