IN the final round of the season all the teams will be hoping to end on a high. With the top three spots already sewn up by the Central Pulse, Southern Steel and Northern Stars respectively, there is still plenty of interest in the final round as the Stars and Steel get a warm-up game ahead of their big final the following week.

Mainland Tactix vs. Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic

With five wins under their belt the Magic will be hoping to secure their sixth for the season and take some positives into the off-season. On the other hand, the Tactix will be fighting to claim their fifth win of the season.

The Mainland Tactix are led by Jane Watson who continues to impress given her side has only won four games. Watson has been strong on the rebound blocking out her opponent in the circle, has shown she is not afraid to hunt the ball and is a real general in defence making for an exciting match up against Kelsey McPhee. McPhee has been in hot form of late, finding the net with ease, setting up plays for her shooting partner Monica Falkner and using the space well to be a threat for the Magic.

The midcourt battle between Magic’s Samantha Sinclair and Tactix’s Kimiora Poi will be interesting to watch with both players possessing very different game styles. Sinclair is a much more defensive minded centre, whereas Poi is renowned for her attacking flair. With both players oozing class, speed and skill it could be a really tight battle.

Northern Mystics vs. Central Pulse

The Central Pulse will be wanting to flex their muscles once again with a dominant display against the bottom of the table Mystics. Mystics have had moments of magic securing some surprise wins but have struggled in attack throughout the season and the Pulse will be hoping to exploit that.

In defence Katrina Rore, Sulu Fitzpatrick and Karin Burger have been phenomenal working well in tandem rolling off their players, setting up clever zones and hunting any loose ball that comes their way. Their hands over pressure and ability to clog up their oppositions attack makes them an imposing threat. The match-up between Rore, Fitzpatrick and Mystics goal shooter Grace Nweke will be one to watch, with Nweke proving to be a lynchpin in attack for her side. Her ability to hold space, turn and shoot and draw the attention of the defenders makes her a solid target in the goal circle but she will have to work in overdrive to keep her side in it.

Whitney Souness is an unsung hero in attack for the Pulse with her ability to identify space, deliver the ball and stop a dime a real feature of her game. She uses her impressive vision to thread the ball to her shooters on a lead or hold and use her speed into the pocket or top of the circle to expose her opponent. Michaela Sokolich-Beatson is expected to line-up against Souness, making for a hot contest. Sokolich-Beatson is not afraid to go hunting, uses her three foot marking to nullify the influence of her opponent and provides a good driving force from defence.

Southern Steel vs. Northern Stars

It is a huge game for both sides with confidence and bragging rights on the line coming into finals. Both sides boast strong defensive and attacking players making for an exciting game.

Week in and week out Lenize Potgieter and Te Paea Selby-Rickit have proven hard to stop with their connection growing inside the goal ring. Both look for each other in attack setting up clever screens and hold space well to allow one another clear access into the circle. Potgieter is prolific under the post meaning that Stars defenders’ Storm Purvis, Leana de Bruin and Kayla Cullen will have to work tirelessly to stop the ball from getting into the shooter given her accuracy.

The Stars have some shooting power of their own with young gun Maia Wilson an important target in the circle for them. She is strong on the hold, uses her feet well and creates space for the goal attack whether it is Ellen Halpenny or Charlee Hodges. If they are any chance to win, the load will have to be shared with the goal attacks chipping in on the scoreboard. Defensively for the Steel, Te Huinga Selby-Rickit and Abby Erwood have grown in stature making them a solid combination. If they can get on top early they will create doubt in the minds of the Stars shooters.