Maybe it’s just an Auckland thing

Stuff recaps the week of netball and looks at some of the talking points ahead of round 10 of the national premiership.

Misfiring Mystics

The Blues might have just found a rival for the most underachieving professional sports team in the City of Sails.

Netball’s Mystics were highlytouted at the start of the season, but have failed to fire and look set to miss the top three finals. They have won four of their 10 games and sit second last in the six-team competition.

With a Silver Fern goal shoot (Bailey Mes) and a talented defensive back three in past and present Silver Ferns Anna Harrison, Phoenix Karaka and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, much was expected.

Silver Ferns standout Maria Folau has played just half of their 10 games – in a bid to keep her fresh and prolong her career through to the 2019 World Cup.

There’s no question jetting between Auckland and Sydney, where she lives with husband, Wallabies rugby star Israel Folau, has had a disruptive effect on the side. The Mystics don’t look a connected or happy unit out on court and it’s reflected in the win-loss column.

Highly under-rated

Steel defensive end and been a tower of strength.

Nailbiters galore

One of the many criticisms of last year’s inaugural national premiership was the high amount of blowout scorelines. A staggering 28 of 47 matches in 2017 were decided by 10 goals or more – hardly edge of the seat viewing for netball fans.

To the competition’s credit, it has been a relatively even playing field in 2018. Heading into round 10, 17 of the 31 games (55 per cent) have featured winning margins of five goals or less. Just nine matches have seen the winning team triumph by 11 goals or more.

Who makes the finals?