Maria Tutaia of the Mystics in action against the Southern Steel. Photo / Getty Images
Pre-season is the time of tough talking and bullish predictions for your season ahead, and this year has been no different for the Northern Mystics.
But at last week's season launch, assistant coach Jenny-May Coffin emphatically proclaimed: "The time for talk is over, it's time to walk the walk".
Last
night was their first opportunity to do so and after a few stumbles early on, the Mystics eventually delivered on some of that pre-season hype.
The Steel are traditionally a bogey side for the Mystics, and even with a slew of injuries in the lead-up still presented a stiff challenge for the home side - particularly on defence.
But in the latter stages of the match the Steel defensive line could only stand and ball watch at times as the Mystics flew down the court at a rate of knots. The interplay between Temepara George and shooter Cathrine Latu is just one example of the X-factor coach Debbie Fuller claims her side possess in spades; mercurial defender Anna Scarlett is another.
After an early peek at the Mystics bench, you would have to say their depth is also impressive.
Former Australian Megan Dehn was injected at wing attack in the final quarter and demonstrated a deft touch with her feeding. Her ability to change up the pace of the game will be invaluable for the Auckland side.
But there were still a couple of red herrings to emerge in their opening encounter.
At times, they were guilty of letting their speed get away from them, which came at the expense of their accuracy on attack. And when they are on a hot streak, the Mystics still have that dangerous habit of taking the low-percentage option, when a more conservative approach would keep their foot on the pedal.
It is also difficult to get too carried away when their opposition were hit by injury.
The cruel run of injuries Robyn Broughton has experienced in the pre-season continued with midcourter Liana Leota limping off with what looked to be a recurrence of the calf problem which sidelined her during the Ferns' tour to Britain last month.
