Netball: Magic have 'nothing to lose'

The Magic have been written off by most, which is why coach Noeline Taurua says they will adopt a nothing-to-lose attitude in their semifinal against the Melbourne Vixens today.

The Vixens finished on top of the ANZ Championship table after losing just one game all year, but that was t o the Magic in New Zealand.

While the Magic boast a team stacked with Silver Ferns, Taurua said expectations of them heading into today's major semifinal in Melbourne were not high.

"We've probably been written off. I think people think if we do lose, then that's what was expected," Taurua said. "We've got all to gain and nothing to lose, really, so the expectation is pretty low."

While Melbourne shooters Charelle McMahon and Caitlin Thwaites have been prolific this year, Taurua wasn't keen to target any individual opponents in a powerful Vixen's lineup.

"I think the key for us is to not concentrate on one person and to play as a team as we know that we can," Taurua said.

The Magic's two losses this season were both in Australia, to the Firebirds and last week's 19-goal thumping by the Thunderbirds in Adelaide.

Taurua said she had responded to that loss by putting a greater emphasis on one-on-one play at training and on keeping possession.

Vixens coach Julie Hoornweg watched the Magic last week.

"They need to re-group and we're playing good at the right time. We expect a very different Magic team from the one that played last week," Hoornweg said.

The winner of the match will host the grand final on July 27, while the loser will host the preliminary final on July 19 against the winner of Monday's elimination semifinal between the Thunderbirds and Southern Steel in Adelaide.

- AAP