"I have never had a run of injuries like we have had. If you had told me a few weeks ago we were going to play the Swifts with three 19-year-olds and a 20-year-old and lose by five I think I would have been very happy. They have built a wonderful team for this competition. I think they are definitely one of the favourites," Fitzgerald said.
"I was terribly disappointed to lose it and we undoubtedly had chances to win it. We made some silly errors and missed some crucial goals at important times in the match. But I took enormous heart out of the fact those young ones could stand up and stay with the Swifts for so long."
Fitzgerald was particularly pleased with her defence, splendidly marshalled by Silver Fern stalwart Leana de Bruin, 34, who will play her 100th game for the Magic tonight.
"I think that combination between Kristiana (Manu'a) and Leana is growing every week," Fitzgerald said. "If you look back on Leana's career, the fact she is still playing is amazing. The longevity that she has had in her career and the standard that she has been able to maintain is quite an incredible achievement. Off court she leads by example, she is a very hard trainer and is a really good example to the young ones in our team."
The loss to the Swifts means beating the Vixens becomes even more important.
Fitzgerald rates them among the competition favourites so there will be no letting off in intensity.
"Look I want two points out of every game we go into but I have said all along when you have as many young ones as we have your focus has to be on improving every match.
We just have to concentrate on being that little bit better every time we take the court."
