Mystics’ elevation ploy riles Vixen fans
Netball’s physicality is occasionally likened to rugby but the Northern Mystics added a new dimension to the comparison between codes when unveiling a lineoutstyle defensive strategy during a pivotal ANZ Championship victory against the Melbourne Vixens yesterday.
Silver Ferns defender Anna Harrison first confounded spectators at Hisense Arena in Melbourne when an outstanding vertical leap tipped a goal-bound shot from the rim before halftime and then the wiry 1.87-metre-tall veteran infuriated Vixens fans when the Mystics un- veiled a revolutionary tactic to give her an even greater height advantage during the 49-45 triumph.
Kayla Cullen and Jessica Moulds adopted the role of a lineout lifter to hoist Harrison, and after initial teething problems, the ploy had the desired result in the final quarter when Karyn Howarth twice had goal-bound shots batted away when the home side was trying to mount a comeback.
Boosting Harrison’s already notable elevation had been planned – and perfected – during closed training sessions for a month and the Mystics players and management were delighted that the move worked as they savoured just their third win in Australia from 14 excursions since the competition began in 2008.
Last year’s runners-up now have a six-win, two-loss record and remain in the top four with Adelaide, reigning champions Queensland and the New South Wales Swifts.
Mystics coach and former Silver Fern Debbie Fuller reluctantly claimed ownership of the innovation, saying her defenders and Australianborn skills coach Jason Gregory also had input.
‘‘I don’t want to be boastful but I said ‘let’s have a go at it, let’s practise it and put it into the game’,’’ Fuller said.
She discussed her idea with umpires in Australia and New Zealand and was told it was not illegal, and although the crowd were irate, she was confident the tactic was not contrary to the spirit of the game.
‘‘If you put somebody on someone’s shoulder and put them up there that’s different.
‘‘This shows the athleticism of the netballers. Everything’s got to connect – the timing, understanding the flight of the ball, your ability to jump, the strength of your defensive partner.
‘‘It’s very hard to do and it’s not always going to work because a shooter can change their timing or offload to her partner – she has options.’’
Mystics captain Temepara George said Fuller should be commended for her inventiveness. ‘‘Kiwis are intuitive and always looking for something new to deliver. We’ve got the players to pull it off and it worked for us.’’
Harrison, who was also a tower of strength when defending conventionally, expected rival franchises to mimic the move.
‘‘We expect teams to copy us, they can give it a go.’’
Although Harrison’s contribution was a focal point, Cathrine Latu, Maria Tutaia and an efficient midcourt were vital as the Mystics produced their most compel- ling performance season.
Latu’s hot streak by the post finally ended six minutes from the final whistle when she missed the target for the first time since round three against the West Coast Fever on April 16 – a remarkable sequence that saw her record perfect games against the Thunderbirds, Central Pulse, Firebirds and Steel.
The competition’s most accurate shooter still nailed 23 of her 24 attempts; Tutaia contributed 26/34, including the customary array of long range lobs.
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