Netball: Mystics vow to atone for opening loss

Northern Mystics Temepara George competes with the Magic's Laura Langman. Photo / Getty Images

Whether feisty midcourt competitor Temepara George is vying for a Silver Fern uniform this year or not, one thing is certain – her ANZ Championship opponents better be ready.

Late last month George, who was a member of the national squad from 1996 to 2007 with 59 test caps, hinted she was "50-50" on making herself available for Ruth Aitken's Silver Ferns in 2009, but has yet to make a formal bid for a midcourt spot.

In the meantime, George says she's totally committed to the Northern Mystics and after a disappointing 13-point first round loss to the Bay of Plenty Magic has vowed to make amends tonight against the Central Pulse at the North Shore Events Centre.

By normal standards, George had a solid game last week but, after three quarters at centre and a last quarter run in wing attack, George walked off the Trusts Stadium court with her head down.

"We were very disappointed with last week. We had bigger expectations as a team and of ourselves," George says.

"I set very high standards of myself and I wasn't overly happy with my performance against the Magic. I intend to come out on Sunday and play a lot better.

"I want more ball, a lot more ball, and that's something we can work on defensively as a team to make sure we pick up those turnovers."

Cutting down ball-handling errors and taking her opponent out of the game are priorities every time George takes the court.

"For me, it's always about playing my own game and playing it well. If I haven't met my own standards I'm going to be disappointed," she adds.

The round two clash against the Pulse offers the northern side a chance to reclaim some of the hot pre-season form shown when the Mystics won the Queenstown tournament, including a morale-boosting victory over ANZ 2008 Champions NSW Swifts. They also made the final of the Waipa event where, without three players, the Mystics lost to New Zealand champs and first round rivals, the Magic.

Although the early signs were of winning form and the benefits of a stint of pre-season training with sevens rugby guru Gordon Tietjens, Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan is keeping a level head.

"Pre-season means nothing," Keenan says. "Our form prior to the competition was good, but it doesn't count for anything in the real thing. They [the Magic] were too good on the night and we didn't achieve a number of our personal goals."

But she believes there's better to come from her side.

"They [the Mystics] are a resilient bunch and one game does not make the season."

With George, hopefully, performing at her best in the midcourt and the Mystics shooters bolstered by the arrival of England international Pamela Cookey this week, the Mystics should show that resilience tonight against a young, but determined, Pulse.

As for George and that Silver Fern uniform, 'watch this space'.