THE OIL
Either the Central Pulse or the Mainland Tactix will secure top spot this year, while the Northern Mystics and Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic battle for the third spot. The Mystics will be out to snag third and defend their title, while the Magic would love to make their first ANZ Premiership playoffs.
The Pulse hold top spot, one point ahead of the Tactix, but with two games left, anything can happen. The Mystics are also one point ahead of the Magic. The Northern Stars and Southern Steel are out of contention.
FINAL ROUNDS
The penultimate round starts tomorrow when the Mystics host the Pulse, followed by the Tactix v Magic on Sunday. The Magic must win in Rangiora to stay in the hunt. The final round will be big next weekend when the Pulse host the Tactix, the Stars play the Mystics, and the Steel are home to the Magic. If the Magic beat the Tactix this weekend, there will be all to play for next weekend in Invercargill to make the third spot.
But the game between the Pulse and Tactix shapes as a big showdown. If both teams win this weekend, it could come down to that final game to determine who takes top spot and hosts the grand final.
PLAYOFF FORMAT
The top qualifiers will host the grand final and get the week off before the big game. The second and third-placed teams will play in an elimination final for a place in the final on August 4.
THE TEAMS
Tactix
Will be determined to take top spot and win their first domestic title since their inception in 2008.
Key player: Karin Burger. Can produce something from nothing.
Pulse
After a horror run of injuries, their key players — Maddy Gordon, Amelia Walmsley — are returning at the right time.
Key player: Kelly Jackson. She is the best goal keep in the country.
Mystics
Struggled without Grace Nweke and Peta Toeava, but come right in past few weeks.
Key player: Grace Nweke. Hard to look past.
Magic
Have been a nice surprise this season. No-one would be upset to see them in the playoffs.
Key player: Saviour Tui. Former Steel shooter has been sensational. Georgia Takarangi also been big.
Stars
Just has not been their season with injury disruptions and been so close every game. Their game against the Steel on Monday has no effect on the playoffs.
Key player: Maia Wilson. Carried a heavy load for the Stars this season and fronts up every week.
Steel
Another team with awful injuries, but they can still play their part in who makes the playoffs when they face the Magic next week.
Key player: Kate Heffernan. Another who has had a big workload and just keeps getting better.
