Embarrassment to expectation for Tactix
The Mainland Tactix are in unfamiliar territory.
Once the laughing stock of New Zealand sport in the former trans-Tasman netball league, the Tactix enter the 2020 ANZ Premiership with lofty ambitions.
Talked up by their rivals at last week’s season launch, the TAB are buying into the hype too.
The Tactix, who were ridiculed for winning eight of 65 trans-Tasman games between 2012-16, are paying $3.50 for the title – the second best odds behind the defending champion Central Pulse ($2.10).
Considering the squad they’ve assembled and pre-season play, the Tactix have every reason to feel chipper about their prospects.
The Tactix rebuild hasn’t happened overnight. They were particularly impressive in 2018, making the finals for the first time, losing a tight elimination final to eventual champions, the Steel.
Last season, they were hampered by injury with star defender Temalisi Fakahokotau (ruptured anterior cruciate ligament) unable to take the court. Wing attack Erikana Pedersen, a first-time Silver Fern the year before, then ruptured her ACL in the opening round.
With a settled and injury-free squad and the offseason addition of Silver Ferns shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit (from the Steel), anything less than the top three finals would be a failure.
The Tactix have never previously had to deal with expectation, but coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek said it was something they were embracing.
‘‘It’s great we’ve got that expectation on us. We want to make the zone proud and put great performances out each week.
‘‘The people here have been so loyal to us and we just want to do it for them.’’
Delaney-Hoshek confirmed there was no minutes restriction on Fakahokotau, Pedersen or any Tactix player, which will give her the luxury of rolling out her best lineup.
Sometimes players can be hesitant coming back from serious injury, but Fakahokotau and Pedersen had been explosive in pre-season. They were raring to go and ready to make an impact.
Fakahokotau and Tactix skipper and Silver Ferns standout Jane Watson formed a daunting defensive duo in 2018, picking up a stack of turnover ball. They were integral in helping lead the Tactix through to the elimination final. Delaney-Hoshek felt they could take their play to an even higher level this season.
Watson lined up at goal defence in 2018 with Fakahokotau at goal keep and you’d expect the Tactix to do the same again.
‘‘The thing about those two is they bring so much voice to the game. They’re both big talkers on court. You’ll hear Tem at the back and then you’ll hear Jane at the transverse [line].
‘‘They’re at their best when you’re under pressure and it’s tight. That’s when they really come to the party and get ball,’’ Delaney-Hoshek said.