KEY POINTS:
Northern Mystics coach Yvonne Willering is hoping Temepara George's commitments with Dancing with the Stars won't take their toll on the netball court this weekend.
With George making it through to the final of the celebrity dancing series, her already hefty training and promotional obligations for the show
have been ramped up.
Willering said the dynamic centre would be available for tomorrow's ANZ Championship clash against the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, but admits George is getting weary.
George is training up to eight hours a day for the show and has managed to attend one netball practice this week.
"It is hard for her, it's not easy to switch from one to the other, you've got two sets of people making demands on her really," Willering said.
George is understood to be determined to win the fourth edition of the DWTS series and Willering said the pressure on the former Silver Fern midcourter has mounted.
"Initially there were no real expectations, but now as it's progressed there are huge expectations."
While George has had her mind elsewhere in the build-up to the round two match-up, Willering expects her star charge to give it her all once she gets out on court against the Magic.
"She's a player that will give 100 per cent and when she's focused on the day she will be there for us."
The fixture between the two heavyweight New Zealand franchises is shaping up to be the match of the round. And after stumbling in their opening match against the Canterbury Tactix, the Mystics will be desperate to bounce back with a strong performance against the similarly star-studded Magic.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua believes George making the final of the series could be a blessing for her side.
"She must be getting weary now, but I know she's doing really well in her recovery and things like that, but it is the wear and tear on the body."
While George is expected to take the court this weekend, fatigue from the show may see her rested for next week's clash against the West Coast Fever. Of the Australian franchises, the Perth-based side are rated the lowest and should be a straight-forward proposition for the Mystics.
The opening match of the round pits the Canterbury Tactix against the NSW Swifts in Christchurch in the only transtasman battle of round two. After an upset win over the Mystics in round one, today's match against the talented Swifts outfit will be a good test of the Tactix credentials as semifinal contenders.
There are two all-Australian clashes this weekend with the Melbourne Vixens highly favoured to overwhelm the Queensland Firebirds. Likewise, the Adelaide Thunderbirds are expected to do it easy against the West Coast Fever in Perth on Monday night.
In Monday night's other game the Wellington-based Central Pulse and Southern Steel are both looking for their first win.
ON COURT
Today: Canterbury Tactix v NSW Swifts, 2.30pm, Christchurch
Tomorrow: Melbourne Vixens v Queensland Firebirds, 3.30pm, Melbourne; Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic v Northern Mystics, 5.30pm, Rotorua
Monday: Central Pulse v Southern Steel, 7pm, Wellington; West Coast Fever v Adelaide Thunderbirds, 10pm, Perth
