Tight games saving netball
The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic nearly pulled off the third comeback of the round before the unbeaten Mainland Tactix hung on to win their ANZ Premiership netball match, 54-53, in Hamilton on Monday night.
The Magic are now fourth on the Premiership ladder and, despite the loss, put out their best performance of the season.
The last minute of the game was intense as Tactix defender Paris Lokotui made a heroic intercept but had a heavy fall on her landing.
As a result Claire O’brien became the sixth player to be suspended this season, umpires deeming her contest for the same ball was dangerous.
With just 21 seconds left, the Tactix were able to play the clock down with a goal in hand.
Leading by four at halftime, the Tactix just managed to avoid becoming the third team in three games to fall victim to a comeback.
On Sunday, the Pulse pulled off a stunning come-frombehind victory when they mowed down an 11-goal halftime deficit to beat the Mystics by five in Auckland.
The Pulse managed to hold the defending champions to just 10 and six goals through the third and fourth quarters.
On Saturday the relief was palpable when the Steel finally broke their unwanted record, notching up their first win in nearly two years with a thrilling 63-61 extra time win over the Stars.
The Steel turned around an eightgoal deficit at the start of the final quarter to draw level with the Stars at the end of regulation time in Invercargill.
ANZ Premiership organisers will be rapt with the recent results.
Boasting a stacked roster, the Mystics are a threat to win week after week.
But the Tactix win over a nearly full strength Mystics in round three gave the competition the shake-up it needed.
Tight games and unpredictable results increase engagement and the Premiership organisers will be hoping for more.
Growing injury list
The Pulse will be without star midcourter Maddy Gordon for up to 12 weeks after scans revealed ligament damage to her ankle.
If Gordon’s rehabilitation goes better than expected, the franchise will be hoping she might be ready for the final round of the regular season, which is in about 10 weeks time.
The unbeaten Pulse narrowly lead the Tactix at the top of the table courtesy of a superior goal percentage.
Gordon is one of the most consistent performers in the competition but the Pulse managed to navigate her loss in their game against the Mystics.
They are also lucky to have a genuine third shooting option with Khiarna Williams doing a stellar job while Tiana Metuarau rehabs from a foot injury.
Hopefully Mystics strike shooter Grace Nweke will soon be able to get over the knee issue that kept her out of the round four game against the Pulse.
In 2022 the Mystics were on top of the Premiership ladder before Nweke rolled her ankle and the side lost four straight games without her.
The Mystics, who sit third on the ladder, will be desperate to get a win if they do find themselves without the Silver Ferns shooter this weekend.
Mentally they don’t want to be dealing with a constant narrative hanging over them that they can’t win without their star shooter.
Some extraordinary statistics appeared on the broadcast before the Pulse-mystics game, which highlighted Nweke’s impact on her side.
Since joining the franchise in 2019, the Mystics, on average, have scored four more goals per quarter with Nweke on court, compared with when she’s not on court.
The Stars, last year’s beaten finalists, are yet to register a win and will be looking forward to the return of shooter Amorangi Malesala, who’s getting over an ankle injury.
In the hands of fans
In a departure from previous years, it’s fans who are picking the Player of the Match at the end of each game.
Some of the results have been what you would expect — others not so much.
You have to wonder if some of the results are more reflective of a popularity contest, rather than which player has had the most impact on the game.
In round three Magic shooter Saviour Tui was named Player of the Match after an excellent return of 17 from 18 but she was only on court for 26 minutes.
In round two Stars’ goal shooter Summer Temu picked up the award after an impressive debut scoring 20 goals at 100 per cent in three quarters.
At the other end of the court, Tactix goal shooter Ellie Bird scored a whopping 47 goals at 92 per cent accuracy in 60 minutes to help her side to a win.
Picking MVPS has never been a completely scientific data-driven process and it never should be.
We’ve seen more players on the losing side picking up well deserved MVP awards, which is usually very rare.
On Sunday, Mystics wing attack Peta Toeava was named MVP following her side’s loss to the Pulse.
A number of players would have been worthy recipients including Pulse players Parris Mason, Whitney Souness and Amelia Walmsley.
Toeava was at her creative best and ticks the popularity box but, on close inspection of the statistics, she also did a power of work. — RNZ