MAINLAND Tactix are gearing up for their second consecutive grand final appearance having snuck through the elimination final, while the Northern Mystics enjoyed the week off and will be raring to go. With key match-ups across the court Draft Central takes a close look at the potential battle between Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Kate Burley.

Northern Mystics vs. Mainland Tactix
Kate Burley (GD) vs. Te Paea Selby-Rickit (GA)

The battle between Burley and Selby-Rickit will ultimately set the rhythm and tone of the game as the latter is a real barometer for the Tactix and often dictates the play in the front half. Neither player are willing to take a backwards step and are serious contenders who are both on the search for that premiership winning feelings.

Since making the move from the Stars to the Mystics this season, Burley has not skipped a beat. Playing alongside experienced campaigner, Sulu Fitzpatrick the goal defence has developed at a rate of knots with her cleanliness at the contest and blistering speed a couple of key facets in her game play. Burley is one of those unsuspecting type players that just bobs up when you least expect her to and can change the course of a game credit to her ball winning tendencies. She is a real workhorse both in defence and attack able to transition the ball through the midcourt with great ease. Burley possess an excellent lean over the shot along with great timing to create a rejection and get in the head of her opposition shooter. The goal defence contests every pass that comes her way and is renowned for her niggle and pestering style of play to win ball back and create turnovers aplenty.

After missing the first couple of rounds with a foot injury, the injection of Selby-Rickit back into the fold was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Tactix highlighting just how much of a barometer the goal attack is. Even when she is not overly accurate to post, she is a maestro with ball in hand able to set up all of the attacking forays for the Tactix. Her spatial awareness and sheer control is second to none as she can dictate the flow in attack with her clever movement. Her influence allows the likes of Kimiora Poi and Samon Nathan to come into the game and ply their attacking trade with great conviction. Most importantly though, Selby-Rickit oozes confidence which rubs off onto Ellie Bird with the goal shooter walking a bit taller when her teammate it out on court. Selby-Rickit is a heart and soul type of player that can change the overall momentum of the game with a couple of long bombs. She is deceptively quick with her sweeps across the top of the goal circle and drives along the baseline something the Mystics will be hoping to limit.

It is going to be a real arm-wrestle between the two players given their never-give-up attitude and hustle. Selby-Rickit holds all the cards for the Tactix and is the one that leads the way in the frontend credit to her experience and smarts therefore if Burley is able to nullify her influence both under the post and outside the circle the visitors could be in all sorts of trouble. Conversely if, Selby-Rickit is able to get her crafty  style of play up and running nice and early to offset the Mystics defence and command attention it will go a long way in securing the premiership.