Bec 1Round 1: Northern Mystics vs Adelaide Thunderbirds
March 17th 2010 10:29
The first match of the 2010 ANZ Championship season this Saturday, the Northern Mystics vs Adelaide Thunderbirds, could be an absolute nail-biter of a game.
The Mystics have undergone massive changes to their line-up this season, which have really put them into the unknown category this year, and the Adelaide Thunderbirds have lost their impressive Goal Attack Natalie Medhurst. Medhurst is often likened to Sharelle McMahon, the Melbourne Vixens Goal Attack and the Australian Netball Diamonds captain. McMahon is arguably the best netball player in the world.
The Northern Mystics have been able to attract some very talented players this season including Joline Henry and Maria Tutaia, both played for Magic in 2008 and 2009.
Tutaia, a shooter with the Silver Ferns since 2005, won a gold medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Henry, also a Silver Ferns member and known for her great defence, will make it hard for any attacking player.
Jenny-May Coffin played for the Silver Ferns from 1997 to 2002, stepping up to a leadership role in 2001 where she was vice-captain, and now returns to the ANZ Championship, playing for the Mystics.
She has been awarded three silver medals, two at Commonwealth Games and one at the Netball World Championships.
Coffin will no doubt be a strong player in the midcourt.
They will join Temepara George and Cathrine Latu, two highly talented netballers staying with the Mystics.
Besides Medhurst, the Adelaide Thunderbirds will also play without Jane Altschwager this season, another shooter, who has decided to move to New Zealand to play with Central Pulse.
This lack of consistency in the shooting circle means that the Mystics have a real chance to come away with the win, particularly in this home game.
However, the Adelaide team still have quality players such as Mo’onia Gerrard, Geva Mentor, Natalie von Bertouch, Kate Beveridge, Emily Beaton, Georgia Beaton and Joanne Sutton on the side.
With the lack of match play and therefore winning combinations yet to be decided, I think it will be too soon in the season for the Mystics to beat a quality team like the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
You can expect this game to be relatively close and could be one of the must-see games of round one. Let's bring it on!
The Mystics have undergone massive changes to their line-up this season, which have really put them into the unknown category this year, and the Adelaide Thunderbirds have lost their impressive Goal Attack Natalie Medhurst. Medhurst is often likened to Sharelle McMahon, the Melbourne Vixens Goal Attack and the Australian Netball Diamonds captain. McMahon is arguably the best netball player in the world.
The Northern Mystics have been able to attract some very talented players this season including Joline Henry and Maria Tutaia, both played for Magic in 2008 and 2009.
Henry, also a Silver Ferns member and known for her great defence, will make it hard for any attacking player.
Jenny-May Coffin played for the Silver Ferns from 1997 to 2002, stepping up to a leadership role in 2001 where she was vice-captain, and now returns to the ANZ Championship, playing for the Mystics.
She has been awarded three silver medals, two at Commonwealth Games and one at the Netball World Championships.
Coffin will no doubt be a strong player in the midcourt.
They will join Temepara George and Cathrine Latu, two highly talented netballers staying with the Mystics.
Besides Medhurst, the Adelaide Thunderbirds will also play without Jane Altschwager this season, another shooter, who has decided to move to New Zealand to play with Central Pulse.
This lack of consistency in the shooting circle means that the Mystics have a real chance to come away with the win, particularly in this home game.
With the lack of match play and therefore winning combinations yet to be decided, I think it will be too soon in the season for the Mystics to beat a quality team like the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
You can expect this game to be relatively close and could be one of the must-see games of round one. Let's bring it on!
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