Netball: Vixens game finals pointer for Mystics

Mystics midcourter Laura Langman believes her side are now working more as a unit. Photo / Getty Images

They have cleaned up the New Zealand conference, but the Northern Mystics are yet to prove their gameplan can hold up to Australian teams.

The Auckland side completed an unbeaten ANZ Championship netball regular season against their fellow Kiwi sides after edging out the Southern Steel 63-61 in Invercargill at the weekend. A 45-all draw against the Magic in round six is the only blip for the Mystics against domestic rivals.

But their results against the Australian franchises are not so compelling. They have been soundly beaten by the Fever (16 goals), Firebirds (6) and Swifts (16), with a round-three draw against the Thunderbirds in Adelaide the only point the Mystics have taken from their four transtasman clashes this year.

It's a record that hasn't been lost on the Auckland side. While the Mystics are already assured the top spot heading into next month's conference finals, they are targeting their final round-robin clash against the Melbourne Vixens next Monday as a must-win, knowing more tough Australian competition awaits in the finals.

Mystics midcourter Laura Langman said her side were desperate to prove they have the goods to better their Australian rivals after her side's loss to the Firebirds in round nine.

"We really need to show we can stand up against those Aussie teams ... so we've got one more chance against the Vixens," said Langman.

The Silver Ferns veteran has otherwise been generally pleased with the Mystics' progress this season, with the chemistry and connections between Langman and the mercurial shooting pairing of Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia that were so obviously missing last season finally coming together.

"I think we're more working ... as a unit, as opposed to individuals and now it feels like more often than not things are coming off down there in that attack end."

While the Mystics have locked down top spot on the ladder, and with it a more favourable finals run, the other Kiwi sides joining them in the playoffs remain up in the air. Only one point separates the second-placed Magic from the Steel and Pulse, sitting third and fourth respectively, making for an intriguing battle tonight between the Magic and Pulse.

Having failed to take their opportunities against the Mystics on Saturday, the Steel need to triumph in Hamilton tonight to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Australian conference is much more clear-cut, with the top three having already been decided heading into the final round after the Swifts edged out the Vixens 52-48 in Melbourne yesterday.

With the Firebirds looking secure in the top spot, next week's clash between the Swifts and Fever will determine finishing order and serve as a dress rehearsal for the first round of the Australian conference finals.