IN the penultimate round of the ANZ Premiership, the fight to the finals is well and truly on. The Central Pulse will want to get back into the winning books, while the Magic and Tactix are only a game from third spot.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic v. Northern Mystics

After a big win against the Mainland Tactix last round, the Mystics will be hoping to string together a couple of wins to finish the season on a high. Their connections down the court seemed a lot stronger while the Magic will be hoping to push for a spot in the finals.

An exciting match up to look for will be between Mystics goal shooter, Grace Nweke and Magic goal keeper Kelly Jury. Nweke has been impressive week in week out for the Mystics credit to her ability to hold strong in the goal circle and ability to turn and shoot and do so accurately. Jury will have her work cut out for her and will have to apply strong hands-over pressure and contest every ball coming in to the circle. But if the Mystics are to win, the likes of Bailey Mes and Jamie Hume will have to up the anti in goal attack and draw the defence of Casey Kopua to ensure that Nweke is one-on-one in the circle. 


Through the midcourt, Sam Sinclair does a wealth of work to feed the ball into the Magic goalers. Her work rate is immense and runs hard across the court to apply strong defensive pressure to help her defensive end. Mystics centre, Tayla Earle finds good space and uses the ball well but will have a big challenge in keeping up with the gut-running Sinclair.

Central Pulse v. Northern Stars

The Pulse suffered their first loss of the season last week and will want to ensure that they get back on the winner’s list with a dominant display this round. On the other hand the Northern Stars are almost playing for their spot and will need to put out a four quarter performance if they are any chance to overrun the Pulse.

Defensively the Pulse have all the answers with a wealth of choice. Sulu Fitzpatrick, Katrina Rore and Karin Burger have all formed a solid connection in defence, picking up any cross court balls, loose passes and apply strong hands over pressure not only on the shot but so too the ball carrier. But if they are to win the Pulse defensive trio must stop the ball from getting into Stars young gun, Maia Wilson who is prolific under the post. Wilson finds good space, holds well and is not afraid to turn and shoot. She combines well with both Charlee Hodges and Ellen Halpenny making them a dynamic shooting circle.

The connection between goalers Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Aliyah Dunn is growing in stature every week. Their shooter-to-shooter interplay is impressive, while both are accurate to post and combine seamlessly to open up space. The Stars boast plenty of experience in the defence end with Leana de Bruin, Storm Purvis and Kayla Cullen all imposing figures. All three are not afraid to go for the high ball and never back down from a contest making for a hotly contested match in the goal circle.

Mainland Tactix v. Southern Steel

The Southern Steel will be riding high after knocking off the undefeated Central Pulse last round and will be wanting to continue that hot form. Meanwhile the Mainland Tactix have had an up and down season and will be hoping to find some consistency in their game plan.

Ellie Bird has been impressive throughout the season for the Tactix given her ability to post high totals and impose herself on the game. The goal shooter has provided a solid target in the goal circle and has shown that time and time again she is a key player for the Tactix. The match-up between her and Steel goal keeper Te Huinga Selby-Rickit will be exciting as Selby-Rickit has an excellent ability to read the flight of the ball, impact the play and applies smothering defence.

The Steel will be looking to Lenize Potgieter to once again steer them in attack with her strong holds, incredible accuracy and connection with shooting partner Te Paea Selby-Rickit. Both shooters work well together, identify space well and use the ball well to open up space for each other. The Tactix defenders must apply pressure on the ball carrier to stop the ball from getting into the circle. Goal keeper Jane Watson reads the play well, makes her presence felt in the goal circle and has an innate ability to find the intercept at crucial times.