Irene van Dyk's 100th match will be magic moment

Familiar with rewriting netball records, Irene van Dyk will post another significant milestone when she plays her 100th match for Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic today.
Already the world's most capped netballer and having logged over 100 caps for the Silver Ferns, the shooting sensation said playing tonight's top-of-the-table transtasman netball championship clash in Brisbane was the perfect way to celebrate the achievement.
It couldn't have been better scripted, the eagerly-awaited fixture pitting the unbeaten Firebirds against the second-placed Magic, who have lost once.
"It has been fantastic to have had the opportunity to stay at one franchise which has over the years played such a big part in my career," Van Dyk said.
"The supportive environment, the influence of coach Noeline Taurua and the lifetime friendships which have emerged have made this franchise a special part of my netballing life."
The long-serving Van Dyk, 38, switched from the Capital Shakers to Magic in 2003 during the [transtasman forerunner] National Bank Cup era and has continued to commute from her Wellington home for the past nine seasons.
She is the first Magic player to reach the 100-match mark.
"It's a great achievement for Irene personally," Taurua said.
"Nine years is a long time and it has been fantastic for the franchise in creating stability.
"Along with the other two long-servers, Laura Langman and Casey Williams, Irene's presence has given the team consistency from year to year which has been of huge value."
Taurua is enjoying a luxury she's not really had in previous seasons - strength off the bench.
Her options have been limited in previous ANZ Championships but this year she's been able to rotate players to cater for whatever is needed on court at any particular time.
No1 wing attack Frances Solia has been on the bench for several weeks recovering from a chest infection but the lanky Jess Tuki, while new to the role, has really been finding her feet.
At the defensive end, Jodi Tod has been sitting out some matches while Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick has been coming up trumps partnering Casey Williams. Shooter Jamilah Gupwell hasn't had much court time with the skilled Julianna Naoupu coming into her own but also provides another choice.
"We do have some real options off the bench now and it's about what's needed at any particular time and how it will change what's happening on court," Taurua said.
"Having those options is a real strength and gives me great confidence as a coach, it's huge in terms of what it's worth and it's not something we've really had before.
"It's good to know you've always got something in the back pocket ... we're not having to do anything radical."
On competition leaders Queensland Firebirds, Taurua said: "Looking at their goal percentages they are killing it.
"They're also getting a lot of ball defensively and their penalty count has been really high so they're just going for everything.
"They're very physical on the ball and once their shooters have the ball in hand, it's gone - so it's a biggie."