Wrap up

Magic disappears as Mystics get beautiful

Van Dyk's vanishing act

Did the Firebirds unveil the blueprint for stopping Irene van Dyk last Monday night? Certainly their system was very effective, as they double marked van Dyk and forced her team mate Juliana Naoupu to shoot from deep. Van Dyk only managed to score a single goal in both the second and third quarters, surely an unprecedented statistic in her incredible career. But the main issue was with feeding, as WBOP Magic struggled all night with their passing in the attacking third which severely limited van Dyk's ability to make an impact. The expected return of Australian Peta Scholz for the match against the Mystics should greatly improve their overall flow through the court.

Therapy works for Mystics

A few in the media questioned what was seen as an unusual buildup by the Mystics ahead of their big clash with the Swifts. Coach Debbie Fuller elected to bring her team together for a high intensity two-day camp in the week before the match, effectively doubling the usual amount of practice time.

At the end of the sessions the players were then sent off to be pampered, with massages, facials and beauty therapy. On balance, given their spectacular victory against the Swifts, you have to concede they got it right. The Auckland side played some truly outstanding (and nerveless) netball, picking the perfect time to come up with their best 60 minute performance of the season.

Brougton backs off

Robyn Broughton has endured a tough season with the Steel, having to battle through more than her fair share of injuries. Now her job is being advertised, and it is extremely doubtful that she will apply. The normally affable Broughton has been unavailable to the media, obviously tiring of the speculation around her future. But I did recall a conversation we had before the start of the season when she was clearly worried about the team's prospects, still wondering how they had managed to lose Megan Dehn and also lamenting the shift north of Juliana Naoupu. Her predictions proved precise as the Southern team had their worse season ever, winning just four matches.

Sharelle wary of Ferns

ANZ Netball caught up with Sharelle McMahon, still struggling around in a moon boot six weeks after her season ending injury. The Australian legend may not be the most popular person on this side of the Tasman, but she retains an incredible respect for the Silver Ferns.  She likes the way Ruth Aitken has kept a solid core together, and from an Australian point of view is definitely worried about the amazing talent that New Zealand has got. 
Meanwhile, the Vixens captain has been busy in her spare time, setting up an company called `Pivot Performance' with fellow Australian Diamond Bianca Chatfield. They plan to consult to gyms, clinics, schools and businesses on self development, sharing the sporting and life lessons they have learnt during their decorated international careers.

Young guns showing the way

The New Zealand under21 squad was named last week, and the increasing influence of the ANZ Championship was there for all to see. Of the 12 players named, eight of them came from the five New Zealand franchises. It is great to see youth being given their chance in the toughest netball competition in the world and players like Kayla Cullen (Mystics), Juliana Naoupu (WBOP Magic) and Amber Bellringer are surely not far away from full Silver Fern honours.

The push from the Pulse

For so long forgotten or even derided, there is a good case to nominate the Pulse as one of the teams of the year in the ANZ Championship. Towards the end of 2009 they were hammered 80-39 by the Vixens in Melbourne, still an ANZ Championship record. In the equivalent match this year (round 11) they took an early 5-0 lead and pushed the Vixens all the way in the first two quarters. They still have a far from a star-studded roster, but this team of battlers has won three games this year, and had genuine chances against the Steel (round 3) and the Magic (round 4). Now if they could only persuade a certain South African-born shooter to play in her home city next season.....