THE penultimate round of ANZ Premiership action kicks off on Sunday with the top three given a huge shake-up over the past week of netball. The Mystics will be eager to bounce back from their shock loss while the Northern Stars are in desperate need of a win if they are any chance of making finals now.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic vs. Mainland Tactix
Sunday, July 18 @4:15pm

It has been a disappointing season for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic who have only secured one win for the season and that was right back in Round 1. On the other hand the Mainland Tactix have found their winning ways with a thumping victory last week and will be eager to continue that level of dominance in this match up.

The combination between Karin Burger and Jane Watson has been on fire with the pair just creating absolute mayhem down in defence with their constant hassle, tenacity and cleanliness to attack the ball no matter where it is in the defensive circle. But they will come up against an a-class shooter in Caitlin Bassett who has really hit her straps in the past few games with her connection with Khiarna Williams starting to come to the fore. Williams can play both a shooting and a feeding role making her an all-round threat and meaning that Watson and Burger will not be able to just isolate Bassett under the post. The Magic play their best netball when Grace Kara is out on court and they will be hoping that she is once again able to stand up to the pressure but will have to combat Charlotte Elley who is an unsung hero in the defensive unit for the tactics.

Looking into the shooting circle for the Tactix and Ellie Bird has been in scintillating form with the goal shooter using every inch of her height to dominate at the post. Even if Te Paea Selby-Rickit is not putting up the goals and shooting at a high accuracy it is her playmaking skills out the front that sets the Tactix up for the win time and time again meaning the constant rotation from the Magic defensive unit will have to be on song. The Tactix will be hoping that Temalisi Fakahokotau is able to return to the court and play a full 60 minutes while they will be needing the likes of Erena Mikaere, Georgia Tong and Holly Fowler to be able to chip in an work in overdrive to stop that ball getting to circle edge. They will also need the likes of Sam Winders to really up her ante through the midcourt to take on Kimiora Poi and Samon Nathan who have been in strong form for the Tactix.

Central Pulse vs. Northern Mystics
Sunday, July 18 @6:15pm

The Pulse snapped a five-game losing streak last round and will be eager to continue that winning way while the Northern Mystics registered their first loss in as many weeks and will be hoping to flip the script in this match up. The Mystics still hold on to top spot on the ladder and with finals insight will be hoping to iron out any kinks in their armour in this clash, while the Pulse will be hoping to add some more respectability to their ladder position.

It will all come down to whether or not Peta Toeava is back to her menacing ways with the wing attack able to carve up the court with her speed while her pinpoint passes into Grace Nweke is what will have the Pulse defence in all sorts of trouble. It will be up to either Maddy Gordon or Claire Kersten to stop Toeava with the Pulse midcourters having to pay her a wealth of attention to keep her away from circle edge. Both Kelly Jury and Kelera Nawai are building a strong partnership in the defensive circle for the Pulse but the Mystics could have the upper hand given how quickly and easily Nweke is able to score. Although Bailey Mes has not been the most reliable to post she is incredibly clever and crafty with ball in hand while the injection of Filda Vui is also highly likely with the goal attack able to go to post or play that additional feeding role.

The Pulse will need Aliyah Dunn to be firing on all cylinders if they are any chance to topple the Mystics who will be raring to go after an uncharacteristic loss. If Dunn is able to find room in the circle and the likes of Kersten and Whitney Souness are up and about early it could spell danger for the Mystics. Te Amo Amaru-Tibble is another one in the Pulse attacking unit that can impose herself with her high accuracy to post meaning the likes of Kate Burley, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Ama Agbeze and now Phoenix Karaka who made her long awaited return after giving birth will have to be on their toes.

Northern Stars vs. Southern Steel
Monday, July 19 @7:15pm

The final game of the round is set to be an absolute cracker and has huge ladder implications as the Stars look for their way back into the top three and the Steel hope to solidify their spot in the finals. The Stars have been in free fall the past couple of weeks dropping three games straight while the Steel will be riding high after knocking off the ladder leaders.

Maia Wilson has not been herself lately but will need to turn it around if she is to drag her side over the line. Only managing a condensed amount of court time last round and only shooting at 50 per cent accuracy, Wilson will be hoping to up the ante while Jamie Hume has been a solid contributor. The Stars have a plethora of shooters to choose from with Monica Falkner back in the mix and Amorangi Malesala a viable option given her accuracy to post. But the Steel have an incredibly strong defence with Taneisha Fifita growing each and every time she steps out on court with Te Huinga Selby-Rickit providing a calming presence out the front. Throw in the likes of Sarahpheinna Woulf and the defensive pressure from Renee Savai’inaea out the front in wing defence and it could be a tough day at the office for the Stars. However both Gina Crampton and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan have been in fine form and will need to lead the charge if Wilson is nullified.

Goal shooter, George Fisher has been a revelation since joining the Steel and will have to be at her damaging best against the ball hungry duo in Anna Harrison and Elle Temu. The Stars pair have caused all sorts of havoc but just have not been rewarded for their hard work. Tiana Metuarau has developed at a rate of knots this season with her playmaking skills allowing her to find Fisher with ease while her combination with Shannon Saunders and Kate Heffernan will provide plenty of headaches for the Stars.