KEY POINTS:
The Northern Mystics look set to be the second Kiwi side to call in last-minute reinforcements to their squad in round 10, with rookie Silver Fern Paula Griffin ruled out of tonight's clash against the NSW Swifts in Auckland.
The young shooter had her tonsils removed on Tuesday,
leaving the Mystics desperately scratching around for a replacement, yet to be named.
They had hoped former Silver Fern Tania Dalton would step into the breach, with Dalton joining the team for a training session last week. But the veteran shooter had also received an SOS call from the Southern Steel after Megan Dehn suffered an ankle injury in round nine. Dalton, who played under Steel coach Robyn Broughton at the Southern Sting, chose to join her old side after Dehn failed a fitness test on Friday.
Griffin's unavailability comes as a major blow for the Mystics, with the youngster in impressive form for the Auckland side. After spending most of the opening half of the season on the bench, Griffin's inclusion in the starting line-up in their past two matches coincided with back-to-back wins.
Mystics coach Yvonne Willering said it was a disappointing and untimely disruption. "Paula was really making the most of her opportunities and starting to nail it."
The Auckland side have struggled against the Australian style in their previous encounters this season and will need to put together a complete and composed performance if they are to topple the classy Swifts line-up.
After opening the season with a dismal run of four losses, the Mystics have struggled to find a secure foothold in the competition. But their past two wins have boosted their confidence and they could have a chance to score an upset tonight.
Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald has noticed the Mystics' resurgence and believes they present some danger. With competition for play-off spots very tough amongst the Australian franchises, the Sydney-based side are keen to pick up the points in their last transtasman clash of the regular season.
They will face four of their fellow Australian sides over the back end of the season.
"I put the Mystics right up there with any of the Australian teams so I know they will be disappointed with their position on the ladder. But I really do think they are starting to find form now so we have a great deal of respect for them."
Willering said her side's strong performance in last week's 50-46 win over the Canterbury Tactix signalled the Mystics were "starting to pick up the pace".
