2023 ANZ Premiership | Round 11 preview: One frantic fortnight left
IN some ways it feels like the season has barely started, but we have already reached the final fortnight of the 2023 ANZ Premiership season.
With four teams still in with a shot of finals, the season is far from done.
There are only three games his weekend, with every team only playing once and no one doubling up.
This is particularly important for the Tactix, who even with a loss would still in the finals race thanks to having a game in hand.
They begin the weekend with a matchup against the Magic, who are now out of finals contention after last weekend’s results, but will still want to finish the season strongly.
Recent history is on the side of the Tactix to get the chocolates in this one, but the last encounter between these two yielded only a three-goal margin, so it may be tight again tomorrow.
It is also a battle of the Silver Ferns defenders against the possible Silver Ferns shooters, as Bailey Mes and Ameliaranne Ekenasio take on Jane Watson and Karin Burger.
Sunday’s clash is a top two clash that is sure to be as entertaining, with the Mystics travelling down to Wellington to take on the Pulse.
The Pulse have to win to have any shot of finishing top and escaping an Elimination Final, but with the Mystics having a game in hand even if they do win it may not be enough if the Mystics win twice next weekend.
The one battle in particular that is sure to delight fans is the one between Kelly Jury and Grace Nweke. Silver Ferns teammates, both first choices for the national team in their positions and both having strong seasons – it is sure to be an entertaining battle.
The weekend ends with the Stars making one of the longest trips of the competition south to Invercargill to take on the Steel.
The Steel have got absolutely nothing to lose at this point in the season, while the Stars will be desperate to bag the win and make things harder for the Tactix to jump into the top three.
Kate Burley and Kate Heffernan are going to be busy this week, trying to quell the influences of Maia Wilson and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan respectively.
ANZ Premiership Round 11 Fixture
Tactix vs Magic – Saturday at 7:15pm – MainPower Stadium, Rangiora
Pulse vs Mystics – Sunday a 4:10pm – TSB Arena, Wellington
Steel vs Stars – Monday at 7:35pm – ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
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