Netball: Tough call on Mystics squad

Northern Mystics management have some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks over final places in their 2010 roster.

The Mystics have already contracted seven players for next season - Silver Ferns Temepara George, Maria Tutaia, Joline Henry and Larrissa Willcox along with Cathrine Latu, Grace Rasmussen and Finau Pulu.

With Tutaia, Henry and Willcox all new faces, a number of this year's squad were fighting for their contracts in the National Championships.

Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan said the performances over the last month had helped make her mind up but there were still discussions to be had.

"Everyone would agree there's a big step up from the National Champs to the ANZ Champs and it's whether or not you can get more out of those players we've already had in there, or do you take a punt on a younger one and see how far you can take them."

Five members of this year's Mystics squad were in the Auckland Waitakere side that took out the first grade title at the weekend. Latu, who was named player of the tournament, is the only one of the five to have been re-contracted with the Auckland franchise so far, leaving Jade Topia, Rachel Rasmussen, Rawinia Everitt and Debbie White battling to retain their places.

Keenan said she was pleased to see Auckland Waitakere win the championship in such a convincing fashion, beating defending champions Southland 47-33 in Invercargill.

"Some of the ones that have already been in there [the Mystics] have to do a lot more," said Keenan.

"They all know what I want from them, but it's whether or not they were able to give me that."

Keenan will meet franchise selectors today and a decision will be made over whether further trials will be held over the next couple of weeks.

Other players from last season's squad up for consideration are defenders Vilimaina Davu, who turned out for Netball North, and Stephanie Bond, who did not take part in the championships because of work commitments. But given the Mystics have signed three players that can cover the wing defence/goal defence position, the likelihood of Bond, Everitt and White being back next year appears slim.

Keenan said the final make-up of their squad would also depend on whether they will be allowed to sign an overseas import.

The Mystics are looking offshore for a quality goal keep, but any bid from a Kiwi franchise must be approved by Netball New Zealand.

What could count against the Mystics is the fact that in Latu, a former Samoan representative, they have one ineligible player on their books.

The transtasman league office made allowances last season and granted the Mystics dispensation to effectively sign three ineligible players - Latu, Vilimaina Davu and English shooter Pamela Cookey - as Latu has expressed a desire to play for the Silver Ferns once she meets the qualification period.

But with four Silver Ferns in the Mystics line-up next season, Netball NZ may not be so lenient this time.

Franchises must submit a team of at least 10 players to Transtasman Netball by October 19 and confirm their final squads by November 2.