Kia Magic will seek to keep their play-off destiny in their own hands in the eagerly-awaited ANZ Championship netball rematch with Central Pulse in Wellington tonight.
With five rounds to go and a tightly-packed field, any slip-ups now could prove costly in the run to decide the play-off contenders, which is still too close to pick at this stage.
It took extra time before Pulse clinched the honours by three goals in the first meeting between the pair four weeks ago, consigning Magic to their only loss of the season in the process.
Sitting just outside the top four, in fifth, with a four-win four-loss record, the ramifications are more significant for the Pulse where another loss could prove dire. However, Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald is equally adamant a win for her side is just as important.
"We seem to be coming up every week against teams that are desperate to improve their spot on the ladder," she said.