Well, Mystics may not be able to have Donnell Wallam on the call right now but at least they’re so good at developing their own star-studded goal shooters – very important for the best of the community that extends to all high levels.
Meet Sophia Lafaialii who had one hell of an evening where she’s got the power of accuracy to shoot and spot from up high to hold own GKs even at super shots.
She doesn’t have to be that tall like Donnell or Grace Nweke; it’s all about timing and Sophia did that beautifully where the circle was hers to take home tonight away from home at TSB Arena.
Here’s another Mystics product also shined a light tonight was mid-counter Taylor Earle at centre & she just never stops delivering for the other shooters to clutch in goal after goal including some two pointers. No wonder she’s been doing that all time at a top-winning group like the Mystics who is still by far the team to beat in this ANZP after Round 5 out of 10.
Meanwhile, Pulse looked one-dimensional when they know how to get the ball rolling but then lost their way in between and later ran out of ideas – just like the equivalent Hurricanes in Super Rugby with the Qualifying Final last night v Brumbies.
Not only that some of their selections looked out of place when some of the subs deserved better like Amorangi Malesala and ex-Diamond Gabi Simpson – both of whom with previous Super Netball experience btw, didn’t know that as well.
If one had to win alone, gotta be Gabi having kept guard as part of the Pulse’s good restart momentum in between goal defense and wing defense – even though this match wasn’t completely out of reach at the time. But since no one else were able to close in, Pulse were simply not up to it and not winning at least 1-2 quarters is just a wake up call if they want to win back the ANZP later this year off Mystics.
For now, Mystics too good over Pulse once again like it was before & we never know if they will be back to see each other should this next contest be an upcoming big Final following a clear 13 goal margin by 51-64.
There’s Stars v Magic again for the second straight week tomorrow night but in reverse in Auckland and yes, so close from the Steel who fell short yesterday afternoon to the Tactix by eight goals. Looks like the battle for 3rd is heating up and now it all depends if Tactix can keep this winning form up or it will be Steel’s turn this year – at least Steel ain’t gonna finish last this time and also great to see Silver Ferns mid-courter Kate Heffernan back for a bit from knee injury.
