Magic coach Noeline Taurua's prediction her team's clash with Northern Mystics is "going to be a goodie" could be the understatement of the season.
Tomorrow's ANZ Championship match in Auckland is a crucial must-win for both teams. Mystics want to hang on to the top spot on the points table and the Waikato Bay of Plenty side are looking to muscle in on the top four as the competition heads towards the play-offs.
With Adelaide Thunderbirds and Queensland Firebirds still to play after this round, Magic are under increasing pressure but have momentum after their sixth consecutive victory, against a hardy Central Pulse, last weekend. Mystics, meanwhile, are looking for more consistency but have the home advantage and history on their side, having beaten Magic the last three times the sides met.
For Taurua, crunch-time in a competition is "the ultimate" for her as a coach and she keeps emotion out of things as she sits sideline during a match, constantly evaluating and strategising, working out what directions to give during the breaks.
"You've either got to get them up if things aren't going right or maybe calm things down if they are. It's all about managing people and team strategies, it's not a time to be frustrated or emotional.
"I'm always thinking about what I see, what our next move should be, it's like moving chess pieces ... I love it, it's the best part of being a coach, especially when you're under the pump."
Magic's six victories this season have come against the bottom four sides so tomorrow's match-up will be a real test to see how far the team have progressed, Taurua says.
She's confident changes in the squad's training regime this year are starting to pay off with weekly physical overloading playing a major role in an improved mental attitude.
"We do a lot of overload, getting physical, bringing in extras to help with that so that they get used to it and, when it happens in a game, they don't get frustrated. We used to do it just every now and then but now it's part of the weekly regime and I think we're reaping the rewards."
There are some intriguing match-ups on the cards with Magic and Mystics stacked with Silver Ferns. While Taurua is pleased with how most things are tracking for her side, she's keen to see her players gaining a few more turnovers via intercepts and to see an increase in volume at the shooting end.
Last week, Pulse managed to keep Magic goal shoot Irene van Dyk to getting just four goal opportunities in one quarter.
"A lot is working well, there's been some beautiful netball, but there are forever things we want to improve," says Taurua.
"I think last week's game against Pulse has set us up nicely for this weekend's game."
In other round 12 matches, Thunderbirds face NSW Swifts and Melbourne Vixens play West Coast Fever, all tomorrow, while Southern Steel clash with Canterbury Tactix on Monday and Firebirds and Pulse have the bye.
Tomorrow's match between Magic and Mystics, at Auckland's Trusts Stadium Arena, starts at 7.20pm.