"When you think about how far we've actually come from 10 weeks ago and we made it to the finals without having to rely on other results going our way, it's quite amazing really," Magic coach Noeline Taurua said.
"We can take a lot out of our performances,"
Over the past three weeks they have been impressive, knocking off heavyweights the Mystics, Thunderbirds and Firebirds, the latter two by hefty margins.
The wins showed the Magic's new patient, controlled style can hold up against some of the top defensive combinations.
"We've been put under a lot of pressure defensively, and our structures have held up a lot better than in the past," Taurua said. "We're showing much better discipline on attack and that's the pleasing thing for me."
The Mystics are a much tougher side to get a gauge on.
They have had a typically up-and-down season, making the top four without setting the competition alight - their win over the Vixens in Melbourne the exception. This weekend they return to take on the minor premiers at home.
Rolling the Vixens and securing a home grand final is seen as key to wresting the crown.
Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu said her side would be doing everything they could to bring the grand final to Auckland.
" You look back and every year the team that has won the major semifinal has gone on to win the competition.
"So that's the path we are aiming to take as well," said Latu. "It's nice to know we have that extra life, but we need to push that to one side. Last year it was do or die and that helped us play some of our best netball. We need to go into this game thinking the same way."
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