AFTER an exciting regular season over the last almost four months, it is time for the 2024 ANZ Premiership finals series.

It all kicks off tomorrow with a sudden death elimination final between the Mainland Tactix and Northern Mystics. For the winner the prize is a grand final berth against the Central Pulse next week, while for the loser it is season over.

ELIMINATION FINAL

Mainland Tactix vs Northern Mystics
Tomorrow at 4pm local time
Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

RECENT FORM

The Tactix have had a much improved season in 2024 as compared to recent seasons, making a return to the finals. However, they are coming in off a two-match losing streak.

The Mystics on the other hand have had an up-and-down season in their premiership defence, but thanks to a Round 15 win and a handy bonus point, that premiership defence is still intact.

2024 HISTORY

Tomorrow’s clash is the fourth such matchup between the sides this season.

Back in Round 3 it was a narrow three-goal win to the Tactix, in Round 8 it was a more convincing 14-goal triumph to the Tactix, then in Round 12 the Mystics finally flipped the script and picked up a 12-goal victory.

In Round 3, the Mystics got off to the better start, and held a narrow four-goal lead at the main break. However, the Tactix fought back in the second half, winning the third term by six goals and the fourth by a single goal to take the win.

Then in Round 8, the Tactix got off to a strong start – even managing to score double the number of goals in the first quarter than the Mystics did – to set them up for victory.

Finally in Round 12, the win was set up by a 21 goal to 10 opening term from the Mystics, which really set them up for the win.

KEY PLAYERS

The key to beating the Mystics for any side is to stop the partnership between Elisapeta Toeava and Grace Nweke feeding into the shooting circle.

This means the biggest jobs on court for the Tactix are likely to be handed to Jane Watson and Karin Burger, which is probably an ideal situation for those in red considering the experience the pair have not just in finals but against Toeava and Nweke.