Tactix: From paupers to playoffs
OPINION: The Mainland Tactix needed to reach their darkest hour before they could finally repair themselves.
With the Pulse eliminating the Mystics in the final round match of the national netball premiership on Wednesday night, the cheers rang out from the Canterbury side’s Apollo Projects Centre training facility.
The perennial paupers were playoff-bound.
After a decade in the doldrums, the Tactix had something to smile about, locking in a trip to the elimination final (two versus three) against the Steel in Invercargill next Wednesday.
For a club which finished bottom in the inaugural season of the national premiership last year, and won just eight of 65 games in the final five seasons of the former trans-Tasman league, it’s a major achievement.
The catalyst for the Tactix revival came on April 19 last year, when they suffered a record-breaking 49-goal hammering against the Steel in Christchurch. They conceded a staggering 90 goals, scoring 41 themselves, and committed 41 turnovers.
Not surprisingly Australian coach Sue Hawkins was out, five days later.
Assistant Marianne DelaneyHoshek was tasked with running training a day after Hawkins’ departure and with small steps started the massive rebuild project.
There’s been no magic bullet for the Tactix turnaround.
Countless hours on the training court and in the gym, increased self-belief which has grown with each win, and heightened accountability, have been integral factors.
Delaney-Hoshek, assistant Julie Seymour and their support staff deserve plenty of kudos.
The Tactix players rave about how much they enjoy playing under Delaney-Hoshek and the environment she has developed over the past 15 months.
While some head coaches turn netball into a game of musical chairs making frequent substitutions, Delaney-Hoshek is known for riding out lulls.
She doesn’t make many substitutions, but when she does they are often astute calls.
There was no better example than in Monday’s 62-60 victory over the Magic. With the Magic sneaking into the lead late in the fourth quarter, veteran Australian shooter Kate Beveridge was introduced at goal attack and Brooke Leaver switched to wing attack.
Beveridge never put up a shot but her cool head and accurate feeding proved pivotal in the Tactix closing out a tight win.
The Tactix’s passage to the finals hasn’t been smooth sailing. Zoe Walker, their projected starting wing defence, played only the first game after a knee issue from pre-season proved more serious than first thought.
Captain Jess Maclennan, an experienced circle defender, sustained her third seasonending injury in the past four years. She ruptured the ACL in her knee in the third game of the season.
The Tactix needed to win their last two games on the road to keep their finals hopes alive and did just that.
Not many would have tipped them to knock over the top of the table Pulse, but they delivered, winning 44-39 in the Super Sunday round in Auckland.
Hitting the bullseye with recruitment has helped.
Temalisi Fakahokotau wasn’t in a flash space with netball at the end of 2016. The Tactix took a punt, recruiting her from the Mystics, where she was treading water. She thrived in the Tactix environment over the past two years, was recalled to the Silver Ferns and became the best defender in the country.
Centre Kimiora Poi proved a canny acquisition. The 20-yearold was only offered a training partner contract at the Pulse for 2018 and the Tactix pounced, remarkably the one side to contact her.
Luring defender Jane Watson, last year’s MVP, back to the Tactix after three years at the Steel was another prudent move.
The Steel will start firm favourites for the elimination final in retiring skipper Wendy Frew’s last home game.
Given the growth of the Tactix and the way they’ve unsettled the Steel in all three regular season matches, you wouldn’t discount an upset win.
Outhouse to the penthouse – it’s been some transformation.