Dana Johannsen: Magic's determination goes missing when it really matters

Geva Mentor of the Thunderbirds punches the ball out of the hands of Irene van Dyk. Photo / Getty Images

If somebody told the Magic four weeks ago they'd be playing in the grand final of the transtasman league, they would have been all over it.

Heading into the play-offs on the back of a questionable run of form, few rated the Waikato/Bay of Plenty side a chance of appearing in the title decider.

The Magic did a phenomenal job to recover from a series of dismal performances over the latter part of the season and blitz their way into the grand final.

They showed great strength and resilience to respond to the intense pressure they were under from their critics and turned their season around. From this they can take great satisfaction.

But still, you can't help but feel they let a huge opportunity slip.

The Magic went into Sunday's grand final against the Thunderbirds riding high on momentum, playing some of the best netball we've seen from the franchise in three years of the competition.

The scene was set for one of the most remarkable comebacks in the transtasman league's short history.

But there was to be no fairytale ending for the Magic. They were out-thought, out-passioned and out-played by the Thunderbirds, who were outstanding.

The Magic certainly didn't lack the talent to match it with the Thunderbirds. What they appeared to be lacking was good old-fashioned grit and determination.

There were signs from the outset there wasn't the fire in the belly, when coach Noeline Taurua said in a pre-match interview that win or lose, the result of the match would not be the measure of their season.

Regardless of the outcome of the match, they already considered their season a success given the lows they had endured.

It seems a rather curious attitude to take into such a big occasion. They were the words of a team already resigned to their fate.

Their comments after the loss are also reflective of a team that seemed just happy to be at the big show.

One player told her local newspaper she "wasn't as gutted as she thought she'd be" about the loss, and was seen chatting and laughing five minutes out from fulltime with her opposition.

Four weeks ago it was as if someone had flicked a switch in the Magic camp. With their backs against the wall they developed a harder mental edge and started playing with greater intensity, desperate to make their fans believe in the Magic brand once more.

Where was that resolve in the final?

It's a shame. For just as their critics were polishing their forks ready to eat a rather large helping of humble pie, the Magic lost the energy and willpower to give it one final push to get them over the line.