Mystics on target, shooters less so
Stuff recaps the week of netball and looks at some of the talking points ahead of round seven of the national premiership.
MYSTICS DOWN PULSE Congratulations to the Northern Mystics, who became the first team to beat the Central Pulse this season, with Bailey Mes netting the winner as time expired in Christchurch last Sunday. If making a miracle attempt is what it takes to get a win over the Pulse, you can be sure coach Yvette McCausland-Durie, captain Katrina Grant and the rest of the team from the capital won’t be too worried. They face an interesting test tomorrow from the rampant Magic, who they beat easily twice in the first two rounds, but have won four straight.
EXTREME PENALTY COUNT
How did the Mystics beat the Pulse, a week after going down to them by 22 goals? Having Silver Ferns shooter Maria Folau in their ranks for just the third time in seven matches helped, but most importantly, they were able to disrupt their opponents and prevent them from getting into any sort of rhythm, and that was reflected in the eyepopping penalty count. The Mystics were whistled 89 times, 20 more than any other team has been in any of the 21 other matches so far this season, and 23 more times than they have been on average. Goal keep Phoenix Karaka had 33 penalties – the most by anyone in a single game this season – after picking up 76 all season prior.
CLOSE CONTESTS One notable feature of this season compared to last has been the number of close games. Using bonus points, awarded for losing by five goals or less, as a guide, there have been 12 close games so far this season, when there were only 13 in all of last season. That tally includes each of the last five games, three of which had one goal in them. Close competition is the best way to drive interest in the premiership, even if there will be debate as to how we’ve arrived there – is it because teams are equally as good as each other, or equally as bad?
SORRY SHOOTING
One pillar in the argument for ‘equally as bad’ is the state of the country’s shooting ranks, highlighted by Stuff earlier this year. Last season, looking at the 10 shooters with the most attempts, there were three shooting 90 per cent or better; six shooting between 80 and 90 per cent; and one less than 80 per cent. This season, there is one shooting 90 per cent or better, teenager Aliyah Dunn; four shooting between 80 and 90 per cent; and five shooting less than 80 per cent. The Tactix as a team shot 68 and 67 per cent in two recent matches, diabolical lows. In saying all that, the likes of Dunn, her team-mate Tiana Metuarau, and Steel shooter Jennifer O’Connell offer plenty of hope for the future.
CHASING CLEAN SWEEPS With 22 games done and dusted, we’re effectively at the halfway stage of the season, as 23 remain. Round seven brings three matchups that have already been aired twice, even before some – the Pulse and the Stars, the Magic and the Mystics – have taken place once. The Pulse are looking to complete a clean sweep of the Magic, the Steel likewise against the Mystics, and the Tactix too against the Stars, who are still searching desperately for their first win, glad to have five bonus points for close losses that have kept them in the hunt – just.