Netball: Mystics plot last step into playoffs

Temepara George of the Mystics. Photo / Getty Images

After three frustrating seasons in which they have under-performed and under-delivered, failure was never an option in 2011 for Mystics captain Temepara George.

"This year has to be our year," the veteran midcourter boldly declared at the beginning of the season.

Now, 11 rounds on and with only the Southern Steel standing in between the Mystics and their first transtasman league playoff appearance, it is looking like George is no longer out on a limb.

A win in Invercargill tomorrow would guarantee the Mystics a place in the finals, and ditch their rather tired tag as the competition underachievers.

Having been with the franchise since day one, and endured the countless barbs over her side's inability to foot it in the ANZ Championships, George is thrilled the Mystics are finally serious playoff contenders.

"It's really exciting," the Mystics captain said. "It's been three long years coming and it's fantastic to be in this position and have that semifinal spot within reach, but the job isn't done yet and we know the Steel are going to be extremely tough, but it will be fantastic when we win and make the top four."

Note that she said "when" and not "if". It is the same when you speak to any of her teammates - there are no "ifs" or "maybes". They all state they will beat the Steel tomorrow.

Some will read that as a sign of over-confidence, but it seems more that they simply refuse to consider the alternative - failure.

There are no two ways about it, if the Mystics - who alongside George boasts top Silver Ferns Maria Tutaia, Anna Scarlett and Joline Henry, not to mention Fern-in-waiting Cathrine Latu - don't make the top four, it will be a catastrophic failure and one that is bound to bring the critics out.

Mystics coach Debbie Fuller is aware of the stern examination her side will receive if they don't make it beyond the regular season, but she is comfortable with that.

"External pressure is about expectations. And the expectation should be high, look at the calibre of players we've got in this team. But I love expectations, the great thing about expectations is that when you get the job done the reward is huge."

Fuller isn't the only coach under extreme pressure heading into the final round. The Mystics are in a three-way battle for the remaining two playoff spots with the NSW Swifts and the Melbourne Vixens.

No matter which way the results fall this weekend, a very good side with top international talent is going to miss out on the finals.

Heading into the season the two star-studded Australian franchises were tipped to be the pacesetters of the competition. But for varying reasons both sides have struggled with their consistency this season and now find themselves fighting to keep their seasons alive.

The Vixens host the Swifts in Melbourne tomorrow afternoon, with the winner advancing through to the final and the loser left sweating on the result of the Mystics game later in the evening.

If the Auckland side wins, they are through. But if they lose, it will all come down to goal percentage and with the Mystics having the lowest rate of all three teams they will likely be the ones left out in the cold, barring a scoreline blowout in the other game.

The Mystics are clearly determined to ensure that they aren't shut out of the playoffs but Fuller acknowledges the Steel also have much to play for in tomorrow's final round match-up. The Southern side have suffered narrow losses to the Swifts and Magic over the past two rounds and will be desperate to get over the line against the Mystics and finish what has been a disappointing season on a positive note.

"Robyn Broughton is a great coach and she's a really competitive individual so she will not be happy with the way their season has gone. They are going to come out firing," said Fuller.

The final round kicks off today with a match pitting the best team in the league up against the worst team in the league when the Queensland Firebirds take on Canterbury Tactix in Christchurch.

In Monday night's games, the Magic are looking to secure second place on the competition ladder with a win over the Central Pulse in Taupo, while only pride is on the line in the late game between the Adelaide Thunderbirds and West Coast Fever.